Adam Russell, AI/nthropologist and Director of the AI Division at the USC Information Sciences Institute (ISI), is on a journey to help build a better world with AI. After launching AI/nsiders in 2023 where he interviewed the ISI humans behind our AI research, he expands his quest to the other disciplines researched at ISI. Networking, cybersecurity, computing, microelectronics, quantum, space, ISI scientists have a lot to say about the state of their fields, their research topics, and how AI fits into them.

Federico Spedalieri, Managing Director of the Quantum Initiative at ISI, shares why physics appealed to him from a young age. He explores the impact that work in quantum might have in the future, including what types of problems it may not be able to solve. He discusses why it’s so important that scientists accept when they’re wrong and remain open to new evidence. He explains why he didn’t see an important development in quantum coming, and what it taught him about learning. He shares a few of his interests and what his contender would be for a good joke relating to his work. Listen to his episode below!

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Published on April 2nd, 2025

Last updated on April 1st, 2025