In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier explores the future of robotics and agricultural technology (agtech) with Kevin Dowling, managing director at Robotics Factory in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They discuss the evolution of robotics in farming, from traditional methods to the modern use of drones, autonomous tractors, and AI-driven systems. Kevin highlights the diversity of robotic forms in agriculture, including wheeled, legged, flying, and swimming robots, and the role of morphology in determining the best tool for various farming tasks. The conversation covers the current trends in robotic investments, the potential of humanoid robots in agriculture, and the economic challenges faced by hardware startups in AgTech. Kevin predicts a shift towards smaller, more affordable robots for smaller farms and emphasizes the importance of technology in reducing environmental impacts, enhancing food production efficiency, and potentially democratizing farming. The episode also touches upon innovative startups in Pittsburgh, the challenges of introducing robotics into unpredictable farm environments, and the vision for future farming landscapes transformed by robotics and autonomous machinery. 00:00 Exploring the Future of Robotics and Ag Tech 00:46 The Evolution and Future of Robotics in Agriculture 03:39 The Role of Humanoid Robots in Farming 07:38 Challenges and Opportunities in Ag Tech Startups 10:05 Innovative Startups Shaping the Future of Agriculture 12:49 The Complex Environment of Farm Robotics 15:30 The Potential of Indoor and Vertical Farming 23:30 Envisioning the Future of Farming with Robotics

In January of this year, Peregrine Mission One launched with at least 22 payloads. One was intended to be the first American made rover to land on the moon since the Apollo days: 1972. It was called Iris, and it was also the first lunar rover constructed with carbon fiber. It was designed and built by students at Carnegie Mellon University. Today, we’re going to chat with them ... Despite a mission failure due to the lander experiencing a propellant leak and missing its lunar target, the Iris team achieved significant milestones. They successfully demonstrated that student-made rovers could survive space conditions, including the Van Allen Belt's radiation, and maintain communication and functions in space. This project, despite its setbacks, marks a significant achievement in democratizing space exploration and contributes to the broader vision of establishing moon bases and Mars bases as stepping stones for further space exploration. 00:00 The Future of Space Exploration: Moon and Mars Bases 00:42 Introducing can the Iris Lunar Rover Project 05:17 The Team Behind Iris: Roles and Experiences 09:00 Scientific Goals and Achievements of the Iris Rover 12:58 Overcoming Failure: Lessons from a Mission Gone Wrong 22:03 The Next Steps: Future Missions and Career Paths 25:59 Reflecting on the Golden Age of Space Exploration

What happens after AGI? AGI is artificial general intelligence: it’s when AI achieves human-level intelligence nd likely quickly thereafter super-human abilities, maybe even ushering in the Singularity. I was recently at the Beneficial AGI conference in Panama. One of the speakers was the founder of Emerj Artificial Intelligence Research. He’s interviewed nearly 1,000 AI leaders, his name is Dan Faggella, and he has some good insight into what AGI might do. Or at least what the experts think about it … We discuss artificial general intelligence (AGI), the potential for post-human bliss through advanced simulations, and various perspectives on AGI's ethical and societal impacts. Fagella shares insights from interviews with nearly a thousand AI experts, outlining a matrix to categorize thoughts on AGI's future and human interaction. The discussion covers the balance between control, collaboration, and open-source development in AI, along with personal reflections on humanity's potential paths in an AI-dominated future. Themes include the ethical implications of AGI, the role of human values in AI development, and speculative futures where humanity merges with or is overshadowed by superior AI entities. 00:00 Exploring Post-Human Bliss and the Power of AI 01:31 The Matrix of AI Perspectives 02:50 Exploring the Future with AI: Preservation, Progression, and Ascension 04:26 Navigating the Path to AI: Control, Collaboration, Openness 07:11 Personal Stances and the Future of AI 19:00 AI's Impact on Society and the Future 24:23 Envisioning a Post-Human Future: Choices and Consequences 29:53 Reflections on Humanity's Path Forward with AI