
The Stephen Wolfram Podcast
Stephen Wolfram is the creator of Mathematica, Wolfram|Alpha and the Wolfram Language; the author of A New Kind of Science; and the founder and CEO of Wolfram Research. Over the course of nearly four decades, he has been a pioneer in the development and application of computational thinking—and has been responsible for many discoveries, inventions and innovations in science, technology and business.
On his podcast, Stephen discusses topics ranging from the history of science to the future of civilization and ethics of AI.
Latest episodes

Feb 5, 2025 • 1h 24min
Business, Innovation and Managing Life (January 29, 2025)
Engaging discussions delve into the complexities of technology and its ethical implications, such as bots potentially owning themselves. The significance of timeless principles in tech development is highlighted, alongside a personal reflection on initial skepticism about the web's capabilities. Insights into the role of large language models in scientific research demonstrate their transformative power. Additionally, the podcast tackles the intricate relationship between human interactions and artificial intelligence, and the challenges surrounding intellectual property in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Feb 4, 2025 • 1h 29min
Science & Technology Q&A for Kids (and others) [January 24, 2025]
Dive into the cosmos as the host tackles how we measure the vast distances to stars and galaxies using geometric principles and parallax. Discover the fascinating science of diamond cutting, emphasizing light's interaction with materials and the art of crafting brilliance. Explore the evolving nature of scientific inquiry, including challenges in reproducibility and the unpredictable behavior of language models. Finally, ponder the deeper philosophical questions surrounding the relationship between science and technology.

Jan 29, 2025 • 1h 24min
History of Science & Technology Q&A (January 22, 2025)
In a lively Q&A, intriguing ideas about the shape of the Earth challenge historical misconceptions. The unpredictable nature of scientific discoveries is explored, pondering humanity's quest for extraterrestrial intelligence. Advances in color representation in computing reveal the complexity of perception and AI's potential. Philosophical musings on the Library of Babel lead to personal reflections on family history, including tales of a unique bicycle and the intertwining of science and legacy across generations.

Jan 23, 2025 • 1h 18min
Future of Science and Technology Q&A (January 17, 2025)
Delve into the transformative world of AI and its role in shaping future science and technology. Uncover how computational tools are revolutionizing research while grappling with their limitations. The conversation navigates the intersection of AI and academic writing, emphasizing the balance between efficiency and human creativity. Discover intriguing insights on language learning with AI and the pressing questions of intellectual property rights in this new age. Can machines think visually? Join the exploration of these thought-provoking topics!

Jan 22, 2025 • 1h 25min
Business, Innovation and Managing Life (January 15, 2025)
Delve into the journey from scientific research to entrepreneurship, as strategies for navigating decision-making and bottlenecks in organizations are discussed. Explore how breaking down complex ideas can lead to innovative applications, alongside reflections on the value of fiction in understanding human experiences. Gain insights into balancing the worlds of business and science, with discussions on teaching and engaging with mathematics. Finally, consider the intricacies of data accuracy and the limitations of AI in mathematical exploration.

Jan 16, 2025 • 1h 21min
Science & Technology Q&A for Kids (and others) [January 10, 2025]
In an engaging Q&A, questions span a wide range of fascinating topics. Delve into the mysteries of electric charge transfer and why certain metals react differently. Learn about the resilience of plants against fires compared to buildings. Explore whether photons collide and the nature of antimatter containment. Discover how to explain photons simply to kids and ponder if we're creating time capsules with light waves that future scientists might decode. This lively discussion inspires curiosity about the universe and its wonders!

Jan 14, 2025 • 52min
History of Science & Technology Q&A (January 8, 2025)
Dive into the intriguing intersection of Buddhist philosophy and East Asian history, exploring how these ideas shape modern science. Discover the hidden gems within footnotes that can shift our understanding of historical texts. Unravel the complexities of language and translation in communicating ideas throughout history. Reflect on why we have just one human species and what that means for evolution. Enjoy a playful look at the quirky names in technology that have shaped foundational scientific concepts.

15 snips
Jan 8, 2025 • 1h 21min
Future of Science and Technology Q&A (January 3, 2025)
In a lively Q&A session, intriguing questions around large language models spark debates on computational irreducibility and human cognition. Ethical considerations of machine consciousness are explored, questioning if creating conscious machines would be immoral. The critical role of education in ensuring AI supports analytical thinking is emphasized. Additionally, the discussion delves into the complexities of interacting with LLMs and the evolution of communication, highlighting how technology reshapes our understanding and creative processes.

Jan 1, 2025 • 1h 26min
Science & Technology Q&A for Kids (and others) [December 27, 2024]
In a lively Q&A session, viewers explore fascinating concepts like computation and how randomness can lead to structured outcomes. The discussion ventures into the idea of living in a simulation, touching on existential philosophical questions. Insights from the film 'Arrival' reveal the blending of science and storytelling, focusing on authentic alien language. Advanced theories like graviton behavior and the nature of time spark intrigue, raising questions about identity and our understanding of the universe.

Dec 31, 2024 • 1h 7min
Future of Science and Technology Q&A (December 20, 2024)
Dive into a lively Q&A where Stephen Wolfram reveals his visions for the future of science and technology. He discusses the potential of personal AI assistants, drawing comparisons to Iron Man's Jarvis. The conversation covers bold predictions like human missions to Mars by 2030 and explores the intersection of black holes and computational theories. Ethical considerations in AI and how LLMs can transform scientific discovery are examined. Expect intriguing insights about the future of physics and the evolution of technology!
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