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Curious Conversations: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Virginia Tech
Curious Conversations is a series of free-flowing conversations with Virginia Tech researchers that take place at the intersection of world-class research and everyday life. Produced and hosted by Virginia Tech Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Travis Williams, university researchers share their expertise and motivations, as well as the practical applications of their work in a format that more closely resembles chats at a cookout than classroom lectures.
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- 5 days ago20 min
S4 E8: How do we ensure authentic learning in the age of AI?
Sally Hamouda joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about how artificial intelligence (AI) appears in many K-12 classrooms and how students, educators, and parents can use it without letting it replace learning. She shared age-appropriate AI skills, assignment strategies that preserve critical thinking and unplugged activities that balance screentime and traditional learning. 0:00 How do we help students become authentic learners in the age of AI?0:50 Who is Sally Hamouda, and why talk to her?1:24 What does AI in the K-12 classroom actually look like?3:26 What AI skills do students need at each age?6:36 How can teachers keep AI from becoming a digital cheat sheet?9:22 How do teachers balance AI with traditional teaching?12:09 Does understanding AI make students better users of it?12:57 Can AI help level the playing field for students?14:17 What should parents pay attention to with AI?17:12 What has Sally's own kids' view of AI surprised her with?18:35 What gives Sally hope about AI in education?Hamouda is a collegiate professor and department outreach lead in the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech. Her work spans computer science education, educational technology, artificial intelligence literacy, learning analytics, data visualization, and K-12 computing education. She led the creation of CodeKids, which offers a wide range of engaging coding activities for students of all levels, and is spearheading the “AI in a box” program, which aims to send educators resources for unplugged activities that teach about AI.
- 1 weeks ago30 min
S4 E7: Which critical AI questions are we often overlooking?
Rishi Jaitly joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), its origins, current state, and future implications. He shared the questions he believes more people should be asking about AI, as well as insights into the role of human institutions and the skills people will need in the future. Chapters0:00 What is artificial intelligence, really?1:13 What is AI, and what science is behind it?3:39 How do humans and institutions need to evolve?6:11 What skills set people apart in AI conversations?6:53 Why are the humanities a superpower in the AI age?7:57 What do we mean by "the humanities"?9:20 How should institutions evolve and lead by example?11:24 Why should institutions be the change, not just preach it?12:09 Which skills will matter in the age of AI?13:16 What is a "full stack human" with elevated AI judgment?15:10 Why do curiosity and friction matter for learning?17:21 What will AI never do as well as humans?19:13 Where do big ideas come from in incoherent thinking?20:48 What can we learn from loss?21:49 What is the purpose of education and human formation?22:45 How can we use AI with self-awareness?24:50 How is AI used today for learning and productivity?26:05 What are agentic AI systems?27:46 Can we hold awe for both AI and human uniqueness?29:10 Where do we go from here?Jaitly is a professor of practice and Distinguished Humanities Fellow at Virginia Tech. He founded the Institute for Leadership in Technology at Virginia Tech, which offers the nation’s first executive leadership credential in the Humanities and is also co-chair of Virginia Tech’s AI Futures Working Group. Until recently, Jaitly also served as a senior advisor to OpenAI.
- 2 weeks ago25 min
S4 E6: How will data centers, microgrids, and renewable energy impact the power grid?
Ali Mehrizi-Sani joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the complexities of the power grid, its vulnerabilities, and how renewable energy and microgrids fit into the future of energy reliability. 00:00 — What’s the biggest threat to our power grid?01:22 — What does the power grid include?02:42 — How is North America’s power grid connected?05:04 — What causes blackouts, and how is the grid kept reliable?06:51 — Why is the power grid under more pressure today?09:33 — How do data centers affect the power grid?14:44 — What actually causes power outages?16:21 — What role do solar and wind play in the grid?18:38 — What are microgrids, and when are they useful?21:18 — How can the power grid be protected from cyberattacks?23:26 — What can everyday people do to support the grid?Mehrizi-Sani is a professor and Bradley Senior Fellow in the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He is also the director of the Power and Energy Center at Virginia Tech. His latest research focuses on the intersection of power engineering and advanced wireless communications to help shape a resilient, reliable grid of the future.
- 3 weeks ago25 min
S4 E5: S4 E5: Should we panic about the flesh-eating New World screwworm?
Luis E. Escobar joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the New World screwworm, a fly whose larvae can infest living animals and humans, causing severe wounds. He shared the pest’s biology, its past eradication in the United States, and current research into its spread and potential changes. Escobar is an associate professor in the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech. He is a member of the Pandemic Prediction and Prevention Destination Area, the Invasive Species Collaborative, and the Fralin Life Sciences Institute’s Center for Zoonotic and Arthropod- borne Pathogens and Global Change Center. His research focuses on biogeography, ecology, and evolution of infectious diseases across landscapes.
- Oct 5, 202614 min
S4 E4: Can a patch reverse a drug overdose?
Wujin Sun joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about a device he’s working on that will automatically detect opioid overdoses and administer life-saving medication. He explained how the device works, the motivations behind it, and the need for an intervention that doesn’t require a bystander’s assistance.00:00 — A Patch That Could Reverse Overdoses01:10 — Introducing the iNAL Patch02:17 — How the Patch Detects Fentanyl and Releases Naloxone03:17 — Why Overdose Prevention Needs to Work Without a Bystander04:34 — Protecting Patients Who Need Opioid Pain Relief05:44 — The Origin of the Research07:26 — Engineering the Sensor and Drug-Release System08:33 — How the Patch Controls Naloxone Delivery10:17 — Testing, Regulation, and the Road to Human Use11:22 — What a Human-Scale Patch Could Look Like12:28 — The Vision for Broad Public Access13:03 — Turning a Lab Innovation Into a Life-Saving ToolSun is an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech. His research interests include cell and biomaterial engineering, drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, and precision medicine.
- Sep 28, 202629 min
S4 E3: The reality of sports economics with Jadrian Wooten
Jadrian Wooten joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the realities of economics and professional sports. Wooten shared his insights about the economic philosophies of many team owners, ticket prices, and new arenas, as well as the impact teams have on their communities. 0:00 — Professional Sports and Local Economies1:14 — Why Sports Make Economic Sense3:23 — Why Team Values Keep Rising7:41 — The Economics of New Stadiums13:41 — Do Sports Teams Help Local Communities?18:00 — Why Ticket Prices Keep Climbing21:18 — Economics Happy Hour and the Newsletter23:43 — The Stadium Quest: Favorites and TraditionsWooten is a collegiate associate professor with the Virginia Tech Department of Economics. His research focuses primarily on educational methodologies and the economics of sports and labor. Wooten’s weekly blog, Monday Morning Economist, tackles economic issues in pop culture and current events
- Sep 21, 202622 min
S4 E2: How can we defend against drone attacks?
Austin Phoenix joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about unmanned aerial systems, commonly called drones, the challenges they present to the defense sector, and the work university researchers are doing to help better understand and mitigate any potential threats.“Curious Conversations” is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple.1:32 — Drones in Defense5:22 — Autonomy and Emerging Risks7:12 — The Cost of Drone Defense9:15 — Counter-Drone Strategies12:59 — Inside the Counter-UAS Center17:48 — Testing Real-World Conditions19:19 — Students, Partners, and ImpactPhoenix is an associate research professor and the director of the Mission Systems Division at the Virginia Tech National Security Institute. He is also one of the leaders of the university’s new Counter-UAS Testing and Research Center, which is a partnership between Virginia Tech’s Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership, the Virginia Tech National Security Institute, and the U.S. Army. His research interests include multifunctional structures, adaptive structures, advanced thermal management, structural dynamics, spacecraft design, and first-order analysis of complex systems. Curious Conversations is a series of free-flowing conversations with Virginia Tech researchers that take place at the intersection of world-class research and everyday life. Produced and hosted by Virginia Tech Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Travis Williams, university researchers share their expertise and motivations, as well as the practical applications of their work in a format that more closely resembles chats at a cookout than classroom lectures.
- Sep 14, 202615 min
S4 E1: How can we best survive back-to-school season stress?
Paul Springer joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about how the transition from summer to fall can impact family dynamics and provide advice on navigating potential challenges. About SpringerPaul Springer is a professor and the head of the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at Virginia Tech. He is also a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in working with individuals, couples, and families who have experienced loss and trauma.
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About Curious Conversations
Curious Conversations is a series of free-flowing conversations with Virginia Tech researchers that take place at the intersection of world-class research and everyday life. Produced and hosted by Virginia Tech Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Travis Williams, university researchers share their expertise and motivations, as well as the practical applications of their work in a format that more closely resembles chats at a cookout than classroom lectures.
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