In The Arena with Evan Baehr

Explore the future of hypersonic travel with Sarah and Andrew Duggleby, founders of Venus Aerospace. In this episode of In the Arena, host Evan Baehr interviews the husband-wife team about their mission to enable one-hour global travel using innovative rocket technology. Learn about the engineering challenges, their unique approach to company culture, and the potential impact on international business and global connectivity.

Could wearable technology transform the global supply chain?  In this episode of In the Arena, host Evan Baehr sits down with Charu Thomas, founder of Ox, a company revolutionizing global supply chains with wearable technology. Charu shares her journey from launching her startup at age 19 to now helping Fortune 500 companies optimize their inventory management.  Thomas explains how Ox’s human-centered automation uses AI to create a seamless operator experience, enhancing efficiency across industries like retail and grocery distribution. Together, they discuss the future of automation, the evolving role of frontline workers, and the challenges of leading a venture-backed tech company in a fast-changing industry.

Discover the innovative world of AI companionship with Dor Skuler, co-founder of Intuition Robotics In this episode of In the Arena, host Evan Baehr explores ElliQ, an AI-powered robot designed to combat loneliness among older adults. Skuler discusses the ethics of human-robot interaction, the importance of clear AI identity, and how ElliQ improves users' quality of life. Learn about the challenges of creating empathetic AI and the potential impact of technology on the growing issue of social isolation in our aging society. Some information has been updated since recording: The New York State partnership shared its first-year data in 2023, following the program's start in May 2022. This program has been active for over two years now.

How skeptical should we be of LLMs? In this episode of In the Arena, host Evan Baehr is joined by Stephen Wolfram, computer scientist, entrepreneur, and creator of Wolfram Alpha, to explore the future of artificial intelligence and its impact on society.  Wolfram shares insights from his decades of AI work, including developing computational language and building tools that push machine limits. He contrasts his approach with the rise of large language models like ChatGPT, highlighting key differences in how they process and generate information. Together, they explore the implications of these technologies for truth, knowledge, and future problem-solving.

Professor George Church, a renowned geneticist and entrepreneur, discusses his work on the Human Genome Project, CRISPR technology, and various biotech ventures, revealing that reducing the cost of genome sequencing from billions to $250 would revolutionize the healthcare system. Church also touches on gene therapies, their potential impact on diseases, and his company Colossal's efforts to revive extinct species and combat climate change through genetic engineering.

Why aren’t we using nuclear power to battle climate change? In this episode of In the Arena, that’s the question host Evan Baehr and Deep Isolation founder Elizabeth Muller consider. One of the main reasons nuclear has been underfunded is due to the harmful waste produced. But Muller’s company has come up with an innovative solution to the impasse of nuclear waste disposal: using deep borehole disposal technology. Muller discusses how this method aims to provide a safer, more flexible, and potentially more cost-effective alternative to traditional mined geological repositories for nuclear waste storage.

Could college limit the skillsets of students? In this episode of In the Arena, host Evan Baehr interviews Bryan Caplan, economist and author of The Case Against Education. Caplan challenges conventional wisdom about higher education, arguing that college degrees are more about signaling status than acquiring skills. He contends that the education system leads to credential inflation without improving productivity, suggesting that it may be better to stop education at a younger age and get people learning on the job.

Can AI solve the housing crisis? In this episode of In the Arena, host Evan Baehr interviews John Cerone, a Principal at SHoP Architects. They discuss innovative approaches to architecture and construction, focusing on 3D modeling, virtual reality, and prefab design. Cerone explains how these technologies can speed up construction times and address America’s housing shortage, exploring the potential for AI to streamline building approvals.

Can the city you live in impact the type of relationships you have? In this episode of In the Arena, host Evan Baehr sits down with Harvard professor Edward Glaeser, author of Triumph of the City, to learn more about how cities impact our lives. They discuss how cities are not just hubs of economic growth but also engines for social interaction, creativity, and innovation. They shape the way we connect with others, fostering diverse communities and collaboration.

Can battery innovation truly address climate change? In this episode of In the Arena, host Evan Baehr interviews Gleb Yushin, co-founder of Sila Nanotechnologies. Yushin shares his journey from the Soviet Union to becoming a leading innovator in battery technology in the USA. They discuss the importance of advanced batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, emphasizing how they can help accelerate the transition to a world of clean energy.