IARPA: Disbelief to Doubt explores the history and accomplishments of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) through the lens of some of the most impactful current and past programs and the people who worked on them in IARPA's technical offices of Collection and Analysis. In each episode, Program Managers (PMs), technical staff, and research performers will offer candid insights into their personal journeys, what led them to IARPA, and how the unique mission of the organization enables them to be force multipliers as they tackle some of the most difficult cross-community scientific challenges.
IARPA's Dr. Michael Di Rosa discusses the history and future of quantum computing, highlighting IARPA's role in achieving quantum advantage and solving complex problems
10 Mar 2025TRANSCRIPT
Quantum Leaps: Part 1
The demand to solve increasingly complex problems is accelerating beyond the capabilities of traditional computing approaches. Quantum computing promises to revolutionize a host of industries by enabling rapid solutions to complex problems that are currently intractable for more traditional – or classical – computers.
As a primary funder of quantum research since 2009, IARPA-sponsored efforts have resulted in multiple world-record demonstrations of quantum computing capabilities, including achieving a “Quantum Advantage” – when a quantum computer can solve a problem more efficiently than a classical one. IARPA-funded quantum efforts have also led to over a thousand publications, dozens of patents, and the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics.
In part one of this two-part episode, we sit down with former IARPA Program Manager, and resident quantum expert, Dr. Michael Di Rosa to talk about his journey to IARPA, what quantum computing is exactly, how it differs from more traditional computing, and much more.
24 Feb 2025TRANSCRIPT
Quantum Leaps (Teaser)
Enjoy this sneak peak of IARPA: Disbelief to Doubt Episode 4! In this upcoming episode of Disbelief to Doubt we speak with former Program Manager Michael DiRosa and explore how quantum computing differs from classical computing approaches, how this technology may eventually change the world, and how IARPA has been at the forefront of quantum research for nearly two decades.
27 Jan 2025TRANSCRIPT
High-Risk/High-Payoff Part 2
IARPA invests in high-risk, high-payoff research with the goal of providing our nation with an overwhelming intelligence advantage. Developing scientific breakthroughs that challenge the state of the art requires IARPA Program Managers (PMs) to take ideas from a place of “disbelief to doubt” before successfully launching an IARPA program. As part of that development process, PMs must address a series of rigorous questions known as the “Heilmeier Questions” named after George Heilmeier, a pioneer in the research and development field.
In Part 2 of this 2 part episode we continue our conversation with former Office of Analysis Director, Mr. Rob Rahmer and discuss how Rob defines success in the Office of Analysis, what makes a problem "IARPA Hard" and much more.
13 Jan 2025TRANSCRIPT
High-Risk/High-Payoff Part 1
IARPA Program Manager Rob Rahmer shares his journey to developing high-risk, high-payoff research that challenges the state of the art, leveraging the Heilmeier Questions to drive innovation.
16 Dec 2024TRANSCRIPT
High-Risk/High-Reward Teaser
Former Office Director Rob Rahmer shares his journey from math geek to leading IARPA's Office of Analysis, launching numerous high-risk programs that yield groundbreaking insights and results.
18 Nov 2024TRANSCRIPT
IARPA Retrospective: Lessons Learned from 10 Years of "IARPA Hard Problems" with Former Director Dr. Jason Matheny Part 2
In this episode of Disbelief to Doubt we continue our conversation previously recorded with former IARPA Director Dr. Jason Matheny, who served as IARPA director from 2015 through 2018. In part two of this two-part interview we discuss the impact of IARPA's mission on national security and science, overcoming the challenges of technology adoption, Jason's parting wisdom on future trends and challenges in national security research, and much more.
4 Nov 2024TRANSCRIPT
IARPA Retrospective: Lessons Learned from 10 Years of "IARPA Hard Problems" with Former Director Dr. Jason Matheny Part 1
In this episode of Disbelief to Doubt we turn back the clock to 2018 and sit down with former IARPA Director Dr. Jason Matheny who served as IARPA director from 2015 through 2018. In part one of this two-part interview we discuss a wide range of topics, including Jason's early career in science, how being a "force multiplier" drew him to IARPA, lessons learned from IARPA's first 10 years of tackling "IARPA hard" problems, the role of the U.S. as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) research and development and much more.
24 Oct 2024TRANSCRIPT
IARPA Retrospective Teaser
Enjoy this preview of IARPA: Disbelief to Doubt Episode 2! In this retrospective episode, you'll hear former IARPA Director Dr. Jason Matheny talk about what it means to be a Force Multiplier as an IARPA Program Manager and discuss lessons learned over a decade of IARPA research breakthroughs.
Part 1 drops on November 4th followed by Part 2 on November 18th. Learn more and listen in at IARPA.gov/podcast!
23 Sept 2024TRANSCRIPT
Episode 1: Part 2: Force Multipliers
In Part 2 of our premiere episode of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity's (IARPA) new podcast series, we continue our conversation with former Director Catherine Marsh to discuss IARPA's process for funding high-risk/high reward research, what differentiates IARPA's mission from that of DARPA's, how Program Managers are empowered to make a dent in the universe, and much more.
9 Sept 2024TRANSCRIPT
Episode 1: Part 1: Leap Of Faith
In Part 1 of the premiere episode of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity's (IARPA) new podcast series, we sit down with former Director Catherine Marsh to discuss IARPA's origin story and the world events that led to her joining government service and set her on a path to leading what the New York Times has heralded as "one of the government's most creative agencies."
26 Apr 2024TRANSCRIPT
Leap of Faith (Teaser)
Get a sneak peek of Disbelief to Doubt Episode 1! In this episode, you'll learn IARPA's origin story and hear about former Director Dr. Catherine Marsh's "leap of faith" into government service. Full episode coming soon!
26 Apr 2024TRANSCRIPT
IARPA: Disbelief To Doubt (Trailer)
Welcome to IARPA: Disbelief to Doubt the new podcast from the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA). Disbelief to Doubt will explore our 15+ year history of pushing the boundaries of science and being at the forefront of innovation all in service to our nation.
Coming Soon!
Inside a recent episode
Quantum Leaps: Part 2
Published 2 Apr 2025 · Transcript excerpt
[…] However, when you do that, you introduce the possibility of spreading errors, you know, too quickly, too quickly for your quantum error correction code to compensate. You know, they can spread exponentially or geometrically, you know, one to two to four and so forth. So the way that you can better preserve that quantum information and not build up errors to the failure of your quantum error correction code is interact logical cubits while keeping them in their quantum error correction codes. And that's not often easy. It does add a complication. It can be done and but that is also a necessary ingredient for maintaining, you know, this model for for quantum computing have quantum error correction codes to clean up errors when they occur and also abide by say a policy or a rule of fault tolerance where I keep quantum information within those quantum error correction codes, don't unpack them so that they're preserved. […]
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