With TikTok in the hands of 170 million Americans, cybersecurity expert Amy Zegart says it’s time to talk about consequences. Foreign access to all that data on so many Americans is a national security threat, she asserts. For those as concerned as she, Zegart has good news and bad. The government has gotten better at fighting cyberthreats, but artificial intelligence is making things very complicated, very fast. The US needs to adapt quickly to keep pace, Zegart tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Episode Reference Links:

• Amy Zegart's Stanford Profile
• Hoover Institution Profile: Website
• Ep.20 How Vulnerable Are We to Cyber Attacks? (Amy’s previous episode on The Future of Everything)

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

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Russ Altman introduces guest Amy Zegart, a cybersecurity expert from Stanford University.

(00:02:37) Government and Cybersecurity Speeds

How AI has changed the pace at which both government and cyber attackers operate, and the evolving dynamics of cybersecurity efforts.

(00:04:12) Corporate Cybersecurity

The unexpected role of the SEC in regulating corporate cybersecurity efforts and how the cyber attack surface has expanded beyond traditional big industries

(00:07:30) Global Cyber Threats and Preparedness

Insights into the strategic use of cyber operations by other countries, and the multifaceted nature of international cyber relations.

(00:09:13) Cyber Dynamics in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The cyber aspects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its implications for global cybersecurity strategies.

(00:11:35) Misinformation and Disinformation Dynamics

The difference between misinformation and disinformation, their impacts on society and the challenges in combating them.

(00:15:04) TikTok and National Security

Risks associated with TikTok as a platform controlled by Chinese interests, discussing data privacy and potential for foreign influence.

(00:20:11) Corporate Power in AI and National Security

The role of corporations in national security through their control over AI, and the challenges this poses for regulation and innovation.

(00:22:47) Learning from Cybersecurity to Manage AI Risks

Lessons from cybersecurity that could help manage emerging AI risks, highlighting the need for developing independent AI research capacities.

(00:26:44) European Regulation and Global AI Safety

The European approach to AI regulation and data protection, advocating for international AI safety norms and collaborative efforts.

(00:29:21) AI's Role in Enhancing Intelligence

How AI can transform intelligence services, and advancements that could lead to significant efficiency gains in national security.

(00:31:23) Conclusion

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A best of episode where Russ interviews one of his bioengineering colleagues, Fan Yang, about some of the fascinating work she’s doing in the realm of tissue engineering. Hear more about the ways her lab is modeling human tissue to help develop a better understanding of how we might effectively replace damaged tissues and alleviate a number of health concerns.

Episode Reference Links:

• Fan Yang's Stanford Profile: Website
• Fan Yang’s Stanford Lab: Website
• Ep.174 Regenerating and Rejuvenating Human Tissues: Website / YouTube (original episode)

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

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Russ Altman introduces guest Fan Yang, a bioengineer at Stanford.

(00:03:15) The Basics of Tissue Engineering

The purpose and significance of tissue engineering, emphasizing its role in addressing critical medical needs like late-stage arthritis.

(00:04:23) Challenges in Tissue Engineering

Technical hurdles in creating viable tissues for clinical use, such as integrating these tissues into the human body.

(00:07:00) 3D Printing and In Situ Polymerization

Technological advances in shaping tissues using 3D printing and the benefits of in situ polymerization to adapt to complex tissue shapes.

(00:09:15) Specific Challenges with Cartilage

The challenges specific to cartilage regeneration, explaining why it has been a difficult tissue to replicate and heal.

(00:13:56) Micro Ribbon Based Hydrogels

Explanation of micro ribbon based hydrogels, a new development aimed at improving tissue regeneration.

(00:19:16) Cancer Research and Tissue Engineering

How tissue engineering technologies are not only pivotal for therapeutic uses but also crucial for understanding diseases and aiding drug discovery.

(00:24:38) Regulatory Challenges and Commercialization

The regulatory and commercialization challenges facing new medical technologies, including the need for industry partnerships and the role of the FDA

(00:26:20) Conclusion

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A best of episode where Russ interviews computer scientist and electrical engineer, Dorsa Sadigh. They had a fantastic conversation about the work she’s doing to train robots to better understand humans, and as she shares, it turns out that one key to this work is better understanding human behavior. If you’re curious about how we’re going to make human-robot interaction work, this is a great episode to tune into again. Enjoy.

Episode Reference Links:

• Dorsa Sadigh: Website
• Dorsa Sadigh: Stanford Profile
• Ep.171 - How do you Build a Better Robot? By Understanding People. YouTube / Website (original episode)

Connect With Us:

• Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
• Connect with Russ >>> Threads or Twitter/X
• Connect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Russ Altman introduces guest Professor Dorsa Sadigh, a computer scientist and electrical engineer at Stanford.

(00:02:24) Bridging Robotics and Human Psychology

The journey from focusing solely on robotics to incorporating human behavioural insights to enhance robot design and functionality.

(00:05:31) Blending Cognitive Science and Robotics

The integration of cognitive science with robotics to build better computational models of human behaviour.

(00:07:35) Addressing Suboptimal Human Decision Making

Exploring human decision-making biases and their impact on robot interaction, with focus on bounded rationality and prospect theory.

(00:10:39) Robot Adaptations to Human Imperfections

How robots can adapt to human imperfections in collaborative tasks, using theories from behavioural economics.

(00:14:57) Training Robots and Humans for Better Interaction

Strategies for teaching both humans and robots to improve their interactions, including active teaching and understanding each other’s capabilities.

(00:18:41) Partner Modelling in Robotics

Insights into partner modelling in robotics, demonstrated through a scalable model in an air hockey game setup.

(00:21:54) Complex Multi-Agent Interactions

Addressing the dynamics of multi-agent systems like traffic, where autonomous and human-driven vehicles interact.

(00:24:11) Robots in Healthcare

The role of robots in healthcare, particularly in assistive technologies, and the challenges and advancements in this area.

(00:26:26) Conclusion

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Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website

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