Episódios

  • The future of emerging technologies

    The future of emerging technologies
    Nov 7 2025
    On our 300th episode, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice talks about her return to Stanford after years in government and the impact she sees rapidly advancing technologies having on democracy and public policy. She says the future demands greater collaboration among industry, academia, and government to ensure promising fields like quantum computing and AI are used for the greatest good—in education, medicine, and the sciences. We are in a race that we must win, Rice tells host Russ Altman on this special episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.Episode Reference Links:Stanford Profile: Condoleezza RiceConnect 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 Altman introduces guest Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State and a professor of political science and political economy at Stanford University.(00:04:08) Returning to StanfordWhy Condoleezza returned to academia after serving as Secretary of State.(00:04:50) Higher Education & Public TrustPotential factors impacting universities' connection to the broader public.(00:07:31) Why Research Still MattersThe importance of curiosity-driven, federally funded university research.(00:09:32) Hoover’s Emerging Tech InitiativeAn outline of the Hoover Institution’s Tech Initiative and its policies.(00:12:11) Uniting Scientists & PolicymakersHow engineers and researchers are engaging with policy and ethics.(00:13:41) The Race For InnovationEmerging themes and key enablers in the technology innovation race.(00:19:17) Industry in the LeadHow private companies are now the primary drivers of innovation.(00:22:02) Global Tech & National InterestsThe tension between globalized tech firms and U.S. policy interests(00:24:35) AI & EducationUsing AI as a tool to enhance teaching and critical thinking in students.(00:28:30) Students Driving PolicyThe contribution students are making to Hoover’s tech policy work.(00:29:23) Future In a MinuteRapid-fire Q&A: hope, innovation, time, humanity, and alternate careers.(00:31:09) 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    32 minutos
  • The countdown to our 300th episode

    The countdown to our 300th episode
    Nov 5 2025

    Tune in on Friday, November 7th to listen to our 300th episode with a very special guest.

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    Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website

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    Menos de 1 minuto
  • Best of: The future of transparent tissue

    Best of: The future of transparent tissue
    Oct 31 2025
    About a year ago, a research team at Stanford Engineering led by Guosong Hong published a paper about their work to use a common food dye to make mouse skin transparent. Their findings made a big splash and have the potential to provide a range of benefits in health care. You can imagine that if we have the ability to see what’s going on under the skin without having to cut into it, or use radiation to get a clear look, this could improve everything from invasive biopsies to painful blood draws. We hope you’ll tune in again and enjoy.Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.Episode Reference Links:Stanford Profile: ​​Guosong HongGuosong's Lab: THE HONG LABConnect 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 Altman introduces Guosong Hong, an expert in physics, material science, and biology from Stanford University.(00:01:52) Material Science Meets NeuroscienceHow Guosong’s research blends nanomaterials and brain science.(00:03:00) Why Tissue Isn’t TransparentThe challenge of light penetration in biological tissues.(00:04:54) A New Approach to Tissue ClearingThe physics behind tissue transparency and refractive index manipulation.(00:07:57) UV Light and TransparencyHow manipulating UV absorption can align refractive indexes.(00:10:16) First Experiments and ResultsInitial tests that demonstrate successful tissue clearing.(00:12:19) Applications in MedicineThe potential of transparent tissues in dermatology and medical imaging.(00:14:36) Testing on Live TissueThe results of testing transparency techniques on live mice.(00:18:30) Transparency in NatureHow some species have naturally transparent tissue.(00:19:52) Human Eye and Protein TransparencyThe unique proteins that keep our lenses clear using similar physics.(00:22:24) Wireless Light Inside the BodyDeveloping ultrasound-activated light sources for tissue imaging.(00:24:55) Precision of Ultrasound LightHow precisely ultrasound can trigger tiny particles to emit light.(00:28:14) 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    29 minutos
  • The future of wound healing

    The future of wound healing
    Oct 24 2025

    Clinician-scientist Jill Helms is an expert on healing. Until about age 30, people heal easily, she says, but later on, not so well. Regenerative medicine suggests avenues for improvement, she promises. Her research focuses on understanding the physical and molecular processes of healing to design better therapies. One approach awakens “sleeper” stem cells to aid healing, a new drug in trial regenerates bone, and another avenue targets infections that appear near medical devices using gum-like tissues that create sealing barriers. In many ways, nature remains our best model for healing, Helms tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

    Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.

    Episode Reference Links:

    • Stanford Profile: Jill Helms

    Connect With Us:

    • Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
    • Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon
    • Connect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook

    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction

    Russ Altman introduces guest Jill Helms, a professor of surgery at Stanford University.

    (00:03:42) Why Study Wound Healing

    Jill shares what led her to explore how the body repairs itself after injury.

    (00:04:23) How Healing Works

    Explanation of physical signals, stem cells, and the stages of tissue repair.

    (00:07:23) Healing Declines with Age

    How healing quality and speed drop significantly after age thirty.

    (00:10:48) Physical vs. Biological Signals

    The biological and physical signals that work together to guide healing.

    (00:13:21) Regenerative Medicine

    Therapies designed to restore healing capacity and accelerate repair.

    (00:16:55) Infection and Implants

    Challenges of preventing infections around skin penetrating medical devices.

    (00:21:54) Nature’s Blueprint

    Using biological models to inspire self-renewing wound interfaces.

    (00:26:19) Biomimicry and Evolutionary Insight

    What scientists are learning from animals to inform human tissue repair.

    (00:30:51) Future In a Minute

    Rapid-fire Q&A: scientific curiosity, young researchers, and supportive environments.

    (00:33:04) Conclusion

    Connect With Us:

    Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website

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    Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook


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    34 minutos
  • The future of topical vaccines

    The future of topical vaccines
    Oct 17 2025
    Bioengineer Michael Fischbach studies alternative vaccine delivery methods, like self-administered creams with no needles, health professionals, or side effects. He teases a day when vaccines that don’t make you feel bad come in the mail in ketchup-style packets. Such innovations would greatly improve vaccine uptake, especially in developing countries, and speed global response to novel viruses. It would change how we think about vaccines, Fischbach tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.Episode Reference Links:Stanford Profile: Michael FischbachConnect 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 Altman introduces guest Michael Fischbach, a professor of bioengineering at Stanford University.(00:04:24) Cream-Based VaccinesThe discovery that revealed the skin’s ability to spark systemic immunity.(00:07:36) Engineering ImmunityModifying staph epidermidis to carry antigens and test immune response.(00:09:38) Tumor RegressionHow engineered bacteria triggered tumor-killing immunity in mice.(00:12:53) Antibody DiscoveryEvidence that skin exposure can generate long-lasting antibodies.(00:17:02) Antibody Response in HumansWhether humans show antibody responses to their own skin bacteria.(00:18:42) Turning Bacteria into VaccinesEmbedding harmless pathogen fragments into bacterial surface proteins.(00:20:55) Immunity Without ShotsHow mice achieved vaccine-level immunity through topical application.(00:24:00) Reimagining Vaccine DeliveryThe potential for self-applied, needle-free, and multiplexed vaccines.(00:26:50) Mechanism Behind Skin ImmunityHow skin immune cells may constantly sample microbes for defence.(00:28:14) Next Steps in DevelopmentThe path toward testing safety, dosage, and delivery in higher models.(00:29:57) Choosing Vaccine TargetsViruses and diseases that could be targets for early skin-based vaccines.(00:31:11) Safety and ReversibilityEnsuring safety with reversible bacteria and limited trial participants.(00:33:04) Transitioning to BiotechTransitioning research from Stanford to large-scale biotech development.(00:34:31) Future In a MinuteRapidfire Q&A: creative science, vaccine innovation, and biology’s future.(00:36:56) 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    38 minutos
  • Best of: The future of extreme climate events

    Best of: The future of extreme climate events
    Oct 10 2025

    As fall arrives, many regions experience dramatic weather shifts—think early frosts, storms, or unusual temperature swings. Last year, we sat down with Noah Diffenbaugh, an expert on climate change. We discussed the fact that extreme weather is becoming more frequent. Noah pointed out that there are still things we can do to mitigate the impacts of severe weather. We hope you’ll take another listen to this episode to learn about the solutions that are within reach.

    Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.

    Episode Reference Links:

    • Stanford Profile: Noah Diffenbaugh

    Connect With Us:

    • Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
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    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction

    Russ Altman introduces guest Noah Diffenbaugh, a professor of Earth System Science at Stanford University.

    (00:02:07) Global Impact of Climate Change

    The areas where climate change is having the greatest impact globally.

    (00:03:00) Climate Phenomena and Humans

    Connecting climate science with localized human impacts.

    (00:05:49) Understanding Climate Forcing

    The concept of "climate forcing" and its significance in Noah’s research.

    (00:09:34) Geoengineering & Pinatubo Cooling

    The risks associated with reflecting sunlight to cool the planet.

    (00:13:23) Climate Interventions

    Why manipulating the climate could have unforeseen outcomes.

    (00:20:51) Adaptation to Climate Change

    Humanity’s response to climate change as impacts accelerate.

    (00:24:53) Increase in Extreme Events

    Why extreme climate events are more frequent and severe.

    (00:28:08) AI in Climate Research

    How AI enables testable, data-driven climate predictions.

    (00:32:02) Conclusion

    Connect With Us:

    Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website

    Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon

    Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    33 minutos
  • The future of the built environment

    The future of the built environment
    Oct 3 2025
    Rishee Jain is an engineer and an expert in the built environment – the manmade structures of modern life. The future, Jain says, will be a place where everyone has a safe, comfortable place to live and work, and the built environment adapts in real time to our needs. Jain is now exploring cool roofs that reflect heat to lower indoor temperatures and improve occupants’ well-being. We once believed that humans bent infrastructure to our needs, but now we understand how infrastructure changes us, too, Jain tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’sThe Future of Everything podcast.Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.Episode Reference Links:Stanford Profile: Rishee JainConnect 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 Altman introduces guest Rishee Jain, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University.(00:03:50) Focus on Built Urban EnvironmentsRishee Jain shares how early hands-on projects inspired his career.(00:04:51) The Social DimensionWhy infrastructure must account for human behavior and social needs.(00:07:03) How Infrastructure Shapes UsExamples of sidewalks, bike lanes, and design choices influencing wellbeing.(00:09:11) Defining Urban FormDefining urban form as design across buildings, neighborhoods, and cities.(00:10:58) Decision-Makers at Every LevelHow policymakers, communities, and building owners shape design.(00:13:38) Dynamic InfrastructureThe shift from static infrastructure to adaptable, responsive systems.(00:15:19) Levers of ChangeUsing thermal and lighting design as key factors for wellbeing.(00:19:36) Climate & Extreme HeatThe impact of extreme heat on building design and vulnerable communities.(00:23:25) Measuring ImpactStudies using wearables to track the benefits of infrastructure interventions.(00:24:25) Community FeedbackThe optimistic research results on infrastructure interventions.(00:26:18) Retrofitting Old BuildingsChallenges in adapting existing infrastructure with minimal disruption.(00:31:12) Future in a MinuteRapid-fire Q&A: hope, infrastructure, research needs, and lessons from history.(00:33:01) 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    34 minutos
  • The future of the innovation economy

    The future of the innovation economy
    Sep 26 2025
    In a special Future of Everything podcast episode recorded live before a studio audience in New York, host Russ Altman talks to three authorities on the innovation economy. His guests – Fei-Fei Li, professor of computer science and co-director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI); Susan Athey, professor and authority on the economics of technology; and Neale Mahoney, Trione Director of the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research – bring their distinct-but-complementary perspectives to a discussion on how artificial intelligence is reshaping our economy.Athey emphasizes that both AI broadly and AI-based coding tools specifically are general-purpose technologies, like electricity or the personal computer, whose impact may be felt quickly in certain sectors but much more slowly in aggregate. She tells how solving one bottleneck to implementation often reveals others – whether in digitization, adoption costs, or the need to restructure work and organizations. Mahoney draws on economic history to say we are in a “veil of ignorance” moment with regard to societal impacts. We cannot know whose jobs will be disrupted, he says, but we can invest in safety nets now to ease the transition. Li cautions against assuming AI will replace people. Instead, she speaks of AI as a “horizontal technology” that could supercharge human creativity – but only if it is properly rooted in science, not science fiction.Collectively, the panel calls on policymakers, educators, researchers, and entrepreneurs to steer AI toward what they call “human-centered goals” – protecting workers, growing opportunities, and supercharging education and medicine – to deliver broad and shared prosperity. It’s the future of the innovation economy on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.Episode Reference Links:Stanford Profile: Fei-Fei LiStanford Profile: Susan AtheyStanford Profile: Neale MahoneyConnect 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 Altman introduces live guests Fei-Fei Li, Susan Athey, and Neale Mahoney, professors from Stanford University.(00:02:37) Lessons from Past TechnologyComparing AI with past technologies and the bottlenecks to their adoption.(00:06:29) Jobs & Safety NetsThe uncertainty of AI’s labor impact and investing in social protections.(00:08:29) Augmentation vs. ReplacementUsing AI as a tool to enhance, not replace, human work and creativity.(00:11:41) Human-Centered AI & PolicyShaping AI through universities, government, and global collaboration.(00:15:58) Education RevolutionThe potential for AI to revolutionize education by focusing on human capital.(00:18:58) Balancing Regulation & InnovationBalancing pragmatic, evidence-based AI policy with entrepreneurship.(00:22:22) Competition & Market PowerThe risks of monopolies and the role of open models in fair pricing.(00:25:22) America’s Economic FunkHow social media and innovation are shaping America’s declining optimism.(00:27:05) Future in a MinuteThe panel shares what gives them hope and what they’d study today.(00:30:49) 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    32 minutos