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The Future of Everything

The Future of Everything

By: Stanford Engineering
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Host Russ Altman, a professor of bioengineering, genetics, and medicine at Stanford, is your guide to the latest science and engineering breakthroughs. Join Russ and his guests as they explore cutting-edge advances that are shaping the future of everything from AI to health and renewable energy. Along the way, “The Future of Everything” delves into ethical implications to give listeners a well-rounded understanding of how new technologies and discoveries will impact society. Whether you’re a researcher, a student, or simply curious about what’s on the horizon, tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments that are transforming our world.All rights reserved Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease Science
Episodes
  • The future of cell-free biotechnology

    The future of cell-free biotechnology
    Apr 24 2026
    Michael Jewett is a pioneer of cell-free biotechnology. Instead of using living microbes as factories, he uses their internal molecular machinery to make valuable proteins, medicines, diagnostics, and other chemicals. Jewett recently used the technique for vaccine production in an approach that could produce up to 150,000 doses from one liter. He believes cell-free biotech could democratize the production of essential medicines, improve water safety, and help convert atmospheric carbon into useful products, among other promising possibilities. “It’s just-add-water biotechnology,” Jewett 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 Christopher Jewett Connect With Us: Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Russ Altman introduces Mike Jewett, a professor of bioengineering and chemical engineering at Stanford University. (00:03:23) What Is Cell-Free Biotechnology? Using the internal machinery of cells without the cells themselves. (00:04:20) Removing “Evolutionary Baggage” Why cells’ natural priorities can conflict with engineering goals. (00:07:41) Advantages of Cell-Free Systems From large-scale production to decentralized, on-demand manufacturing. (00:11:40) Making Proteins Outside Cells How DNA instructions are used to produce functional proteins. (00:13:49) Biosensors for Water Safety Detecting contaminants like lead using engineered proteins. (00:17:05) Engineering Better Sensors Improving sensitivity and selectivity through protein design. (00:20:33) AI in Bioengineering How data and models accelerate discovery and design. (00:23:22) Sustainability & Carbon Capture Turning atmospheric carbon into useful chemicals. (00:26:18) Building New Biological Pathways Combining chemistry and biology to create novel production systems. (00:27:54) From Molecules to Materials How acetyl-CoA enables fuels, plastics, and other products. (00:30:51) Teaching Biotechnology Making biotech accessible through hands-on, “just-add-water” kits. (00:33:12) Future In a Minute Rapid-fire Q&A: innovation, collaboration, and the future of biotech. (00:35:32) 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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    37 mins
  • The future of education

    The future of education
    Apr 17 2026
    Education researcher Susanna Loeb studies the broad spectrum of learning experience, including ways to recruit and retain expert teachers, how to optimize classrooms, and the impact of technology on learning. She says pandemic-inspired innovations in tutoring have led to greater student engagement and improved learning outcomes. And on the growing influence of AI in education, Loeb counts herself an optimist. She sees it as a tool for good, enhancing personalized learning and supporting teachers. These innovations that didn’t exist a few years ago stand to help students to thrive, Loeb 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: Susanna Loeb Connect With Us: Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Russ Altman introduces guest Susanna Loeb, a professor of education at Stanford University. (00:02:58) Path into Education Susanna’s journey from engineering to education and her focus on impact at scale. (00:04:41) The Field of Learning Science The different approaches and challenges in education and its research. (00:07:06) Tutoring After the Pandemic How COVID exposed learning gaps and accelerated interest in tutoring. (00:10:14) What Makes Tutoring Effective The different factors that go into making tutoring effective. (00:12:16) Spreading Proven Practices Using proof points and partnerships to drive adoption across districts. (00:14:00) Building Education Networks The importance of trusted relationships and communication channels. (00:14:50) AI in the Classroom How schools are beginning to adopt AI tools and respond to demand. (00:16:00) AI & Education How teachers are leading AI adoption, with limited direct student use. (00:19:37) A Framework for Using AI The focus on improving student experiences and personalized learning. (00:21:23) Studying AI in Real Time Challenges of evaluating fast-changing tools and the need for rapid testing. (00:23:22) Partnering with AI Companies Collaborating with industry to test tools like ChatGPT in schools. (00:25:26) AI & Tutoring Blending human tutors with AI support to improve outcomes. (00:27:22) The Limits of AI Tutors Why human motivation and relationships remain essential. (00:28:54) The Future of Education Systems Balancing innovation with equitable access and student engagement. (00:30:51) Future In a Minute Rapid-fire Q&A: optimism, scaling education, and collaboration. (00:32:54) 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 mins
  • The future of networking technology

    The future of networking technology
    Apr 10 2026
    Computer scientist Keith Winstein is an expert in how computers communicate. Computer networks create what he calls shared fictions – abstract realities, like a website or a Zoom call, that exist only because the computers on either end agree to act as if they are real. Unfortunately, today’s networks lack a shared notion of a “computation,” which hurts market efficiency in cloud computing and frustrates efforts to hold tech companies accountable for the results of their algorithms. As computational power becomes concentrated in a smaller number of companies, Winstein advocates for a shared language of “computational truths,” defining computations precisely so results are reproducible and auditable. His research group hopes this will lead to greater transparency and accountability in the cloud and, ultimately, to greater confidence in the computations that companies do every day on our behalf. The truth matters, Winstein 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: Keith Winstein Connect With Us: Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Russ Altman introduces guest Keith Winstein, a professor of computer science and electrical engineering at Stanford University (00:02:56) Why Choose Networking The appeal of the shared digital “fictions” created by connected computers. (00:04:22) The Internet’s Impact The broader societal implications of networking technologies. (00:05:35) Computational Truth The concept of tracking how data is produced and verified. (00:09:18) Misaligned Cloud Computing How “pay for effort” models create inefficiencies in cloud systems. (00:13:51) Determining Computational Truth The need for verifiable computation that produces consistent results. (00:18:19) Computations & Accountability How identifying computations could improve trust in systems. (00:20:56) Collaborating Online Why latency challenges make online performance collaboration difficult. (00:24:38) Real-Time Performance Systems Creating a custom system for musicians to perform together online. (00:28:00) Latency vs. Bandwidth Why faster internet speeds don’t necessarily reduce delay. (00:30:43) Eliminating Latency How buffering layers in software create unnecessary delay. (00:32:41) Balancing Audio Quality & Delay The different trade-offs for musicians, actors, and audiences. (00:34:20) Rethinking Computer Science Education The need to bring playfulness and interactivity back into learning. (00:35:46) The Xylophone-Based Class Teaching computation through real-time sound and music. (00:38:34) Future In a Minute Rapid-fire Q&A: optimism, truth in computing, and innovation. (00:41:01) 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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    42 mins
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