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Where What If Becomes What's Next

Carnegie Mellon University
Artificial Intelligence
Carnegie Mellon University
Robotics
Agriculture
Game Theory
Machine Learning
Future Of Work
Healthcare
Space Exploration
Job Market
Audio Technology
Theater Education
Rising Costs Of Education
Collaboration
Empathy
Technology In Theater
Workers
Economy
Pneumonia
Vera C. Rubin Observatory

Welcome to Season 3 of WHERE WHAT IF BECOMES WHAT’S NEXT. As Carnegie Mellon University celebrates its 125th anniversary, we’re spotlighting 15 CMU inventions that changed the world. From the origins of AI and robotics to innovations in the arts and sciences, join us as we trace the journey from “what if” to “what’s next.” With host Randy Scott, every other Thursday we’re going behind the scenes w... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes53Founded3 years ago
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Artwork for Where What If Becomes What's Next

Latest Episodes

What happens when a university brings together engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs and artists to tackle the world’s toughest problems? You get the hashtag. Wi-Fi. “Toy Story.” Artificial intelligence. And even Silly Putty.

For the Season Three fin... more

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What if the wireless connection you take for granted began as a small research experiment, and only revealed its true potential when students hacked their way onto it?

In this episode, we're joined by Alex Hills, Distinguished Service Professor of E... more

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How does a filmmaker who had no interest in computers end up producing the first computer-animated feature film – a movie that would change animation forever? That movie was “Toy Story,” and this is the story of the filmmaker, the technologies, and t... more

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A failed rubber substitute. A cloudy liquid that looked like a mistake. A robot that heals itself.

This episode looks at three chapters in Carnegie Mellon University's long history of materials science: two born from happy accidents, and one built e... more

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Recent Guests

Tom Mitchell
CMU Founders University Professor and computer scientist
Carnegie Mellon University
Episode: Re-Thinking Thinking: The Birth of AI
Raj Reddy
Moza Bint Nasser University Professor of Computer Science and Robotics at Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University
Episode: Re-Thinking Thinking: The Birth of AI
Manuela Veloso
Head of JPMorgan AI Research and Herbert A. Simon University Professor Emeritus at Carnegie Mellon University
JPMorgan AI Research
Episode: Re-Thinking Thinking: The Birth of AI
Alex Hills
CMU engineer and pioneer of Wireless Andrew; former director of the Information Networking Institute
Carnegie Mellon University
Episode: Cutting the Cord: How Wireless Andrew Paved the Way for Today’s Wi-Fi
Ralph Guggenheim
Pioneer of computer animation and producer at Pixar
Pixar Animation Studios / Lucasfilm
Episode: Reinventing Animation: The Story Behind Toy Story
Carmel Majidi
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Head of the Soft Machines Lab at CMU
Carnegie Mellon University
Episode: Materials Science: From Silly Putty to Self-Healing Robots
Daniel H. Wilson
Robotics expert, New York Times bestselling author
Carnegie Mellon University, author of Robopocalypse, Hole in the Sky
Episode: Imagining the Future: One Story at a Time
Burton Morris
A globally recognized contemporary pop artist known for transforming everyday objects into iconic imagery
Burton Morris Studio
Episode: Bold Strokes: Making the Ordinary Pop
Po-Shen Loh
Professor of mathematical sciences at CMU; former coach of US IMO Team
Carnegie Mellon University
Episode: A New Equation: Teaching Math for an AI World

Host

Randy Scott
Host of Where What If Becomes What's Next; CMU interviewer

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 22 ratings
  • Thought provoking podcast

    Some great episodes on how AI is rocking our world. Thought-provoking.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Robster 7
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests bring credible expertise and practical insights.
Episodes that connect CMU history to modern innovation are highly valued.
Listeners praise the show for thoughtful tech storytelling.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#79
Spain/News/Tech News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Re-Thinking Thinking: The Birth of AI
Q: What was your thesis on?
Manuela Veloso describes an algorithm that solved new planning problems by adapting solutions to similar problems that had already been solved.
Re-Thinking Thinking: The Birth of AI
Q: If you had to issue a report card on AI today, how would you grade it?
Tom Mitchell gives AI's recent technical progress an A+, says society earns a B-minus for making use of existing capabilities, and notes that attention to AI risks has improved.
Imagining the Future: One Story at a Time
Q: What started you thinking about the purpose of technology?
He argues that Western tech aims for exponential growth and domination, while Indigenous perspectives emphasize balance and sustainability, prompting a rethinking of why we build and for whom.
Bold Strokes: Making the Ordinary Pop
Q: What was your big break in your career?
The Absolute Vodka commission in 1992, earned through a gallery contact, which catapulted his visibility and associated him with a Warhol-era pop-art trajectory.
Bold Strokes: Making the Ordinary Pop
Q: How did CMU shape the artist you became?
He describes CMU's emphasis on thinking differently, developing technique, and finding a personal passion, along with exposure to Warhol and the broader pop-art lineage from Pittsburgh.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Where What If Becomes What's Next

What is Where What If Becomes What's Next about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A forward-looking tech and science podcast that centers CMU's history of invention and its modern impact across design, AI, robotics, space, and healthcare. Episodes often feature CMU researchers, alumni, and industry leaders discussing how curiosity and practical systems thinking drive breakthroughs—from ancient design philosophy to cutting-edge AI safety, gene therapy, and astronomical data infrastructure. Listeners likely include tech professionals, researchers, and product builders who want practical insights, historical context, and forward-looking perspectives on how science and engineering shape everyday life.

Noteworthy elements include owner CMU lineage, a strong emphasis on human-centered design and real-world impact, and a track... more

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Where What If Becomes What's Next launched 3 years ago and published 53 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Where What If Becomes What's Next?

Recent guests on Where What If Becomes What's Next include:

1. Tom Mitchell
2. Raj Reddy
3. Manuela Veloso
4. Alex Hills
5. Ralph Guggenheim
6. Carmel Majidi
7. Daniel H. Wilson
8. Burton Morris

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