Agents Of Tech
Agents Of Tech

Agents Of Tech

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Agents of Tech is a new science and technology podcast with hosts Stephen Horn and Autria Godfrey. Together, we want to explore the cutting-edge technologies shaping our world today. From big data and quantum computing to AI and robotics, ”Agents of Tech” delves into the science and applications of these technologies, and the ways in which they can meet some of society’s biggest challenges - addressing issues like inequality, climate change and improving healthcare.

Recent Episodes

Can We Trust AI? Safety, Ethics, and the Future of Technology
NOV 27, 2024
Can We Trust AI? Safety, Ethics, and the Future of Technology

In this episode of Agents of Tech, Stephen Horn and Autria Godfrey explore the rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence and ask the pressing questions: Can we trust AI? Is it safe? AI is becoming deeply embedded in every aspect of our lives, from healthcare to transportation, but how do we ensure it aligns with ethical principles and remains trustworthy?
Featuring insights from:
Dr. Shyam Sundar, Director of the Center for Socially Responsible AI at Penn State, who discusses the role of ethics and trust in AI systems.
Dr. Duncan Eddy, Executive Director of the Stanford Center for AI Safety, who shares lessons from aerospace safety and how they apply to AI.
Join us as we examine the balance between technological advancement and safety, explore the role of regulation, and dive into the psychology of trust in AI. With perspectives on global AI trends, cultural differences in trust, and what the future holds, this is a must-watch for anyone curious about AI's impact on our society.


#ArtificialIntelligence #AISafety #AITrust #EthicalAI #FutureOfAI #MachineLearning #AIFuture #AIInnovation #TechEthics #AgentsOfTech
00:00 - Welcome to Agents of Tech
Stephen Horn and Autria Godfrey introduce the episode, broadcasting from London and Washington, D.C., and pose today’s critical question: Can we trust AI?
02:15 - AI in Our Lives: Benefits and Risks
A discussion on how AI is rapidly transforming industries like healthcare, finance, education, and transportation. But with this integration come concerns about ethics, bias, and safety.
05:30 - Ethical Implications of AI
Exploring the challenges of making AI systems socially accountable and the ethical dilemmas arising from unchecked AI development.
10:00 - Conversation with Dr. Shyam Sundar
Dr. Sundar, Director of the Center for Socially Responsible AI at Penn State, explains how AI’s conversational nature impacts trust and how personalization can lead to both engagement and misplaced trust.
15:45 - Cultural Differences in AI Trust
A fascinating look at how different cultures approach and trust AI systems, highlighting the global nature of AI challenges.
20:00 - Dr. Duncan Eddy on AI Safety Frameworks
Dr. Eddy, Executive Director of the Stanford Center for AI Safety, draws parallels between aerospace safety systems and AI, offering insights into incremental safety improvements and regulation.
25:30 - Can Regulation Keep Up with AI?
A discussion on global efforts like the EU AI Safety Act and challenges in regulating both AI development and deployment, especially in high-risk applications.
30:15 - How to Verify AI Outputs
Examining methods like adaptive stress testing and formal verification to improve AI reliability and avoid catastrophic errors in fields such as medicine and finance.
35:00 - The Future of AI Safety and Trust
Closing thoughts on how AI safety research is racing to keep up with innovation, the importance of fostering a culture of safety, and ensuring trustworthiness as AI becomes ubiquitous.
38:00 - What’s Next on Agents of Tech?
A sneak peek at the next episode, where the focus will shift to deepfakes and cybersecurity with experts from NYU and the University of Buffalo. Trust in Artificial Intelligence

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40 MIN
Building Blocks of Life, AlphaFold and AI Drug Development
OCT 23, 2024
Building Blocks of Life, AlphaFold and AI Drug Development

In this episode of Agents of Tech, we dive into the groundbreaking advancements in AI and biotechnology with a focus on AlphaFold 3, the revolutionary AI model developed by Google DeepMind. Before AlphaFold developers Demis Hassabis and John Jumper were awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work, this AI system had already been making waves by predicting 3D protein structures with unprecedented accuracy.
Join hosts Stephen Horn and Autria Godfrey as they explore the profound impact AlphaFold is having on science, from understanding the building blocks of life to accelerating drug discovery. We speak with Dr. Luke Yates, Assistant Professor at the University of Sussex, who explains how AlphaFold 3 is changing the landscape of biological research. We also hear from Dr. Kyle Rohde of the University of Central Florida, whose lab is using AI to speed up the development of new antibiotics, particularly for drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Recorded prior to the Nobel Prize announcement, this episode offers an insightful look into the future of AI-driven discoveries in biology, medicine, and beyond. Don’t miss out on this fascinating discussion!
Subscribe to Agents of Tech for more on the latest breakthroughs in science and technology.
#AlphaFold #AIinBiology #NobelPrize2024 #DrugDiscovery #Biotechnology #AgentsOfTech #DeepMind #ScienceBreakthroughs #Antibiotics #ProteinFolding #AIinMedicine #DeepLearning #AlphaFold3 #FutureOfBiotech #AIInnovation #SciencePodcast #AIRevolution #BiomedicalResearch #Genomics #AIForGood #DrugDevelopment #TechForHealth #ArtificialIntelligence #CuttingEdgeTech #NobelPrizeScience #MedicalBreakthroughs #TechInBiology.
00:00 - Welcome to Agents of Tech
00:13 - Hosts Introduction
00:19 - Exploring Life's Building Blocks & Antibiotic Development
00:54 - Upcoming Guests & Topics
01:00 - Interview with Dr. Luke Yates on AlphaFold 3
03:20 - The Significance of Protein Folding
06:12 - Impact of AlphaFold on Disease Research
10:30 - Challenges in Drug Discovery
13:05 - Open-Source Debate on AlphaFold
16:10 - Ethical Concerns of AI in Biology
18:00 - Interview with Dr. Kyle Rohde on TB Drug Discovery
20:30 - How Multidrug-Resistant TB Complicates Treatment
23:40 - AI and Target-Based Screening for New Antibiotics
27:40 - The Future of AI-Driven Drug Discovery
31:00 - Closing Remarks & Next Episode Preview
32:00 - Subscribe to Agents of Tech

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31 MIN
Mental Health and Technology: Exploring Addiction and Solutions
SEP 25, 2024
Mental Health and Technology: Exploring Addiction and Solutions

In this episode of Agents of Tech, hosts Stephen Horn and Autria Godfrey explore the intricate relationship between mental health and technology. As social media, gaming, and digital devices become more pervasive, they discuss how these technologies are impacting youth and adults, often leading to addiction and mental health challenges.
We hear insights from leading experts:
• Dr. Marc Potenza (Yale University) and Dr. Sanya Virani (Indiana University) discuss the intersection of social media, gaming, and gambling addiction.
• Dr. Wendi Waits (Talkiatry) explains how digital technology addiction is leading to ADHD-like symptoms in adults.
• Darlene King (UT Southwestern) shares how AI chatbots are being used to address mental health needs, and the importance of psychiatrists in their development.

We also discuss the alarming warning from US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, who highlights the growing youth mental health crisis caused by social media, and what parents and companies can do to help mitigate the risks.
Key topics include:

Join us as we explore the solutions and challenges at the intersection of mental health and technology.
Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more insightful episodes on technology, innovation, and society!
Program Notes

https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/03/11/how-teens-and-parents-approach-screen-time/

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/17/opinion/social-media-health-warning.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8170001/
Striatal dopamine synthesis capacity reflects smartphone social activity

https://www.today.com/video/how-screens-and-phones-can-impact-a-child-s-mental-health-196047429741

https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/media-and-children/center-of-excellence-on-social-media-and-youth-mental-health/qa-portal/qa-portal-for-parents/

https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/mental-health-apps/the-app-evaluation-model

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10242473/

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26 MIN