The Future of Everything

Irene Lo, an expert in leveraging markets for social impact, discusses challenges and innovations in market design for public school assignments. She highlights the use of algorithms and community engagement to reshape school assignment policies for greater predictability and diversity.

Biochemist Jonathan Long discusses the chemicals produced during exercise and the 'gut-brain axis' for treating obesity and diabetes. Topics include effective weight loss drugs, metabolic chemicals, animal models in exercise studies, and the role of the molecule Lac V in reducing food intake post-exercise.

Bioengineer Polly Fordyce discusses the importance of proteins in the body, their structures, functions, and innovations in protein research. The conversation delves into mutant proteins, the impact of protein research on medicine, protein-DNA interactions, and the future of proteins through accurate measurements and tools for experiments.

Professor Chris Piech discusses the benefits of computer-aided education, emphasizing AI's role in grading and feedback. The creative joy of programming is highlighted, along with the significance of human connections in learning. The podcast explores AI's impact on coding education and the potential synergy between teachers and AI for a better learning experience.

Matt Abrahams, a master communicator, discusses thinking fast, talking smart, addressing speaking anxiety, the impact of AI on communication, and virtual vs. in-person communication on the podcast.

Stanford professor Jeff Hancock discusses the impact of generative AI tools on human communication, exploring issues like language homogenization, biases, trust, and the use of GPT-3 for tailored content. The podcast delves into AI's role in assessing student work, risks of misinformation, deep fakes in critical situations, and combating fake news on social media.

Astrophysicist Risa Wechsler discusses the evolution of the universe and the importance of understanding dark matter. She explores new technologies like high-resolution cameras and spectrographs that reveal clues about dark matter. Mapping the universe in 3D is crucial for unraveling cosmic mysteries and galaxy formations.

Robotics expert Jeannette Bohg discusses the impact of large language models on robotics, highlighting the transformation in high-level planning and reasoning. She addresses the challenges of applying language models in robotics, the scarcity of training data, and the potential for improving human-robot interaction. The discussion delves into the contrasts between industrial and research robots, versatile robotic units with tidying capabilities, and the debate on humanoid vs specialized robots.

Guest Sergiu Pasca is a physician-scientist who turns skin cells into stem cells and then into brain tissues he calls “organoids” and “assembloids” in order to study psychiatric and neurological illness in a dish instead of in living human beings. With this knowledge, Pasca hopes to develop new treatments for conditions ranging from schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders to chronic pain, he tells host Russ Altman in this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.Episode Reference Links:Sergiu’s Lab: Pasca LabSergiu’s Stanford Profile: WebsiteCenter at Stanford Sergiu Leads: Stanford Brain OrganogenesisSergiu’s recently published paper: Antisense Oligonucleotide Therapeutic Approach for Timothy SyndromePaper by Shinya Yamanaka Sergiu discusses: Induction of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Mouse Embryonic and Adult Fibroblast CulturesConnect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionRuss introduces guest, Sergiu Pasca, professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University.(00:02:43) The Science of Growing Brain Tissue from Skin CellsThe process of developing brain organoids from skin cells and the potential medical applications of these models.(00:03:59) Enhancing Neurological Research ToolsAdvancing the complexity of brain models to include various brain structures and their applications in modeling diseases.(00:07:20) Introduction of AssembloidsIntroduction to assembloids, detailing how combining different organoids can mimic complex brain structures(0015:58) Testing Therapeutics Using Humanized ModelsThe innovative approach of using humanized rat models to test neurological therapies and drugs.(00:21:03) Complex Circuit Modelling for Disease UnderstandingThe current capabilities of modeling complex brain circuits and their relevance in  understanding the neural pathways involved in diseases.(00:23:36) The Future of Pain Modelling and Drug TestingHow assembled brain cells can model pain perception and response, leading to potential new treatments for chronic pain and psychiatric disorders(00:27:46) Ethical Considerations and Public EngagementEthical concerns related to creating brain-like tissues and the importance of public engagement in scientific research.(00:32:01) Future Directions and Global CollaborationThe future of brain organogenesis research and the potential impacts on treating neurological and psychiatric conditions.(00:34:05) Conclusion Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook

Cybersecurity expert Amy Zegart discusses the national security threats posed by TikTok and the rapid evolution of cybersecurity due to AI. The podcast delves into government and corporate cybersecurity efforts, global cyber threats and preparedness, the impact of misinformation, and the evolving role of corporations in national security. Amy highlights the challenges in sustaining cyber operations during conflicts and the importance of AI in enhancing cybersecurity intelligence.