Into the Fire: Building Technology for the Front Lines

What happens when your brain can talk to a computer? In this episode of Engineering Moment, co-hosts Stephanie, Aava, and Lindsay dive into the science and speculation surrounding Neuralink—Elon Musk’s bold attempt to fuse AI with human thought. From deep brain stimulation to data privacy, animal testing to AI symbiosis, we break down the promises, problems, and paradigm shifts of brain-machine interfaces. Could this be the future—or just futuristic fiction?

What if technology could help save the lives of first responders? In this episode, Stephanie talks with Alex Forgosh, a USC junior and co-founder of Hatchet—a startup building new tools to locate and protect firefighters in burning buildings. Born from a passion for impact and sharpened through USC’s startup ecosystem, Hatchet combines software, hardware, and bold problem-solving to tackle an issue that’s been overlooked for decades. Tune in to hear how student engineers are designing for danger—and thinking beyond the classroom.

What happens when AI tries to predict your next favorite song? Can algorithms really capture your mood—or are we just training the system? Join Stephanie and Avery as they break down how Spotify uses AI and algorithms to engineer the perfect playlist, and what it means for the future of music discovery.

What happens when a farmer goes up against a biotech giant? Was it patent infringement—or just the wind? Join Stephanie and Avery as they dig into the landmark Monsanto v. Schmeiser case, exploring GMOs, gene pollution, and who really owns our food.

Let’s discuss the urban design of South LA and the areas around USC’s campus. What makes an area pedestrian friendly, and how can we use public transportation to get around LA? Macie and guests look at their experiences and the history of the neighborhood.

What will AI mean for our future? Will humans soon become obsolete in the workforce, and is that a bad thing? How do we create meaning in our lives? Join Marco and Vikram as they chat with a philosophy student and a mystery guest.

Do cities hurt or help the environment? What can we change about our cities to make them more sustainable and more livable? From algae to wind turbines, trains to biomass energy, join Jesse, Kaitlyn, and Matt as they discuss what makes a city sustainable.

Who has a longer attention span, a goldfish or a human? The answer may surprise you. Are our attention spans shrinking, and if so, is technology to blame? Join Dylan and David as they discuss these questions and interview Viterbi’s Engineering in Society Professor Helen Choi.

How does multi-tasking affect our efficiency? Do short TikTok or IG breaks replenish or drain cognitive capabilities? Can long coding sessions be described as a flow state? Harly talks to Dylan and David about their podcast on attention spans and technology (featured in Episode 2).

What excites you the most about the future of engineering? What scares you the most? In this episode, Mike, Tammy, and Yusan get hot takes from USC Viterbi Engineering students about their thoughts on the future of engineering.