Making AI Possible

About Making AI Possible

Welcome to the Making AI Possible Podcast—your new monthly deep dive into the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and how they’re shaping the world around us. Produced at Caltech in Pasadena, California, this series features in-depth conversations with the people driving AI innovation forward. This podcast series features the latest AI advancements with some of the brightest minds in the field, such as groundbreaking research from AI industry leaders, labs here on campus, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which Caltech manages for NASA. Discover how cutting-edge research is being applied to transform and streamline healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and finance. Each episode explores the "how" behind AI breakthroughs and the "why" that drives innovation—from lab to enterprise. Whether you're a technologist, strategist, or decision-maker, Making AI Possible offers rare insight into how advanced AI systems are built, governed, and applied in the real world. Tune in to discover how the latest research becomes transformative technology.

Publisher

Caltech CTME

Category

business · education · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 May 2025

Latest episode

21 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

15 of 17 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   21 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Human Coordination of Agentic Teams

   Host Dr. Crystal Dilworth interviews Big Tech engineer Nikos Michalakis about translating human intent into machine behavior for agentic teams.

2. 

   26 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Building Chips in the Age of AI

   Host Nicholas Beaudoin interviews Caltech research engineer Dr. Anthony Ardizzi about the atomic-level constraints and innovations driving AI hardware development.

3. 

   4 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

   AI Across the Americas: Where Does the Hemisphere Line up on AI?

   Host Dr. Andrew Ng and guest Dr. Fei-Fei Li explore AI's impact on innovation and cultural alignment across the Americas in this interview.

4. 

   14 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Building with Agents and Owning the Output: Coding Agents, Product Ownership, and the Modern AI/ML Engineering Workflow

   Host Nicholas Beaudoin interviews Michael Frantz, PhD, and Jonathan Cheung, PhD, exploring how coding agents reshape AI/ML workflows while maintaining engineer control and product ownership.

5. 

   14 May 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Making AI Possible: "Using AI to Avoid a 'Cognitive Coup'"- May 2026

   Host Nicholas Beaudoin interviews Dr. Fatima T. Zahra and Dr. Crystal Dilworth about how AI shapes cognition and the creation of culturally responsible AI.

6. 

   10 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Making AI Possible - Making AI Possible Without Making Life Impossible- April 2026

   Is the technology that's meant to make your life easier actually making it harder? Making AI Possible Without Making Life Impossible Our April 7 live webcast of Making AI Possible, hosted by Nicholas Beaudoin, Caltech CTME's Affiliate Director of AI Programs, features Amber Case, Cyborg Anthropologist, UX Designer, and Founder of the Calm Tech Institute, a design standards organization asking something most AI builders aren't: does your technology demand more attention than it needs to? We get into the 70-year hype cycle behind the term "artificial intelligence," why builders are feeling busier, not less busy, since adopting AI tools, and what good AI design actually looks like when engineering safety principles are taken seriously. If your tools are starting to work against you, this live podcast is worth your time.

7. 

   9 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Making AI Possible - Out of This World Autonomy and AI - March 2026

   Director of AI Programs Nicholas Beaudoin interviews NASA's Issa Nesnas about building trusted AI for autonomous space exploration, revealing challenges and solutions for planetary missions.

8. 

   4 Feb 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Making AI Possible:Building Inclusive AI: Lessons Learned from Production - Feb 2026

   Making AI Possible:Building Inclusive AI: Lessons Learned from Production - Feb 2026 Welcome to the Making AI Possible Podcast—your monthly deep dive into the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and how they’re shaping the world around us. Produced at Caltech in Pasadena, California, this series features in-depth conversations with the people driving AI innovation forward. In our second episode of Making AI Possible for Season 2, Director of AI Programs, Nicholas Beaudoin, sits down with Will Croushorn, MBA, a leader behind Wendy’s FreshAi initiative, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping one of the most iconic retail experiences: the drive-thru. Will shares how his team moved from experimental pilots to production-grade systems, the unexpected challenges and “aha” moments along the way, and the technical complexity behind building AI that can operate in noisy, real-world environments at massive scale. We explore how technology is advancing accessibility and inclusion—from language support to physical-ability considerations—and what this democratization of AI means for the future of retail. Will also offers candid advice on measuring ROI in operational AI systems, and a forward-looking view of what’s next as AI begins to mirror the human customer experience. Will Croushorn, MBA currently leads FreshAi at Wendy's, one of the world's largest deployments of generative AI in a physical retail environment. He focuses on taking AI from "hype" to revenue-generating operational reality and produced a 0-to-1 pilot to a mass deployment across 600+ enterprise locations, achieving ~99% order initiation success and ~95% autonomous handle rate. In addition, Will has pioneered the "Digital Drive-Thru," turning offline voice data into structured business intelligence to optimize operations in real-time. He worked in SaaS innovation for logistics and recruiting, and spent 5 years leading international development operations in the Middle East. Will thrives in ambiguity and specializes in translating complex technical capabilities into intuitive, human-centric user experiences. ♦ As Caltech CTME's Affiliate Director of AI Programs, Nicholas Beaudoin intersects strategic program development with hands-on curriculum design, positioning AI/ML education programs at the forefront of technological transformation. Leading the AI programs at Caltech's Center for Technology & Management Education, Nicholas' focus is on delivering impactful learning experiences tailored to a diverse clientele, including private and public sectors, as well as government and non-profit organizations.

9. 

   21 Jan 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Making AI Possible-Adversarial Uses of Artificial Intelligence-January-2026

   Adversarial Uses of Artificial Intelligence "We don’t fear AI because it’s smarter than us. We fear it because it doesn’t care about us." Welcome to the Making AI Possible Podcast—your monthly deep dive into the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and how they’re shaping the world around us. Produced at Caltech in Pasadena, California, this series features in-depth conversations with the people driving AI innovation forward. In our first Making AI Possible episode of Season 2, Director of AI Programs, Nicholas Beaudoin, sits down with Rob Petrosino, AI Consultant for the US Government, to explore the challenges of AI. Adversarial uses of AI represent a fundamental shift in the security landscape, where threats are no longer isolated, human-paced, or easily detectable, but instead scalable, automated, and designed to manipulate trust itself. Rob Petrosino draws on his work advising the U.S. government and industry leaders to explain how AI-powered deception, influence operations, and machine-speed attacks are changing what it means to defend organizations, institutions, and society. To secure your spot, register below. We look forward to seeing you there! With over 10 years of experience in emerging technologies, Rob Petrosino focuses on driving innovation and digital transformation. As Chief Innovation Officer at PeakActivity, Rob leads initiatives in generative AI, augmented reality, and machine learning, crafting strategies that integrate cutting-edge technologies into tangible business solutions. His contributions include developing technology roadmaps, exploring intellectual property opportunities, and fostering innovation in collaboration with cross-functional teams. In his role as Artificial Intelligence Consultant for the US Government, Rob focuses on advancing responsible AI adoption and forging partnerships to strengthen national security. His work emphasizes leveraging AI and digital tools to address cybersecurity challenges and create secure communication channels. Passionate about ethical AI implementation, Rob's mission is to harness technology to drive meaningful impact across public and private sectors. ♦ As Caltech CTME's Affiliate Director of AI Programs, Nicholas Beaudoin intersects strategic program development with hands-on curriculum design, positioning AI/ML education programs at the forefront of technological transformation. Leading the AI programs at Caltech's Center for Technology & Management Education, Nicholas' focus is on delivering impactful learning experiences tailored to a diverse clientele, including private and public sectors, as well as government and non-profit organizations. ♦

10. 

    16 Dec 2025TRANSCRIPT

    Making AI Possible - Keys to Thriving in an AI-Driven World - December 2025

    Keys to Thriving in an AI-Driven World Problem-solving skills in AI creation are not just an asset: they are critical for success. Welcome to the Making AI Possible Podcast—your monthly deep dive into the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and how they’re shaping the world around us. Produced at Caltech in Pasadena, California, this series features in-depth conversations with the people driving AI innovation forward. In our December 2 session of Making AI Possible, Director of AI Programs, Nicholas Beaudoin, sits down with Todd Masilko, Chair of Interaction Design at ArtCenter College of Design to explore the challenges of AI. A consistent pattern is emerging across AI-impacted professions. From creative fields to computer science and data engineering, AI can generate polished output, but foundational understanding and strong problem-solving remain the differentiators that matter. Here’s a preview of what we’ll jump into: • How AI is reshaping creative workflows and early-career roles • Why process and problem-solving are becoming key hiring signals • How education must adapt when polished work can be generated with AI • Why human judgment and taste remain essential in an AI-driven industry This is a conversation you won’t want to miss! To secure your spot, register below. We look forward to seeing you there! Todd Masilko is Chair of the Interaction Design Department at ArtCenter College of Design. The Interaction Design curriculum at ArtCenter emphasizes human centered design methods, tools, processes as well as the impacts and opportunities presented by technologies such as virtual environments and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning on the practice of user experience design. The department is also home to the Immersion Lab, where students and faculty work with a range of emerging technologies including XR, AI, Machine Learning, and virtual production often in multidisciplinary teams. As an instructor, Masilko has collaborated with industry partners including, Adobe, Amazon, Dell, DiDi Chuxing, Microsoft, NIO, Google, Honda, Koenig & Bauer, the Aquarium of the Pacific the Sundance Film Festival and Volvo. ♦ As Caltech CTME's Affiliate Director of AI Programs, Nicholas Beaudoin intersects strategic program development with hands-on curriculum design, positioning AI/ML education programs at the forefront of technological transformation. Leading the AI programs at Caltech's Center for Technology & Management Education, Nicholas' focus is on delivering impactful learning experiences tailored to a diverse clientele, including private and public sectors, as well as government and non-profit organizations. ♦

11. 

    11 Nov 2025

    Making AI Possible - The Security Episode - November 2025

    In our November 3 session of Making AI Possible, Director of AI Programs, Nicholas Beaudoin, sits down with Ismael Montañez, Cyber Security Engineer, as they explore one of the most urgent and least understood frontiers of AI: security. We'll examine how LLM systems and the infrastructure that supports them introduce new layers of vulnerability, from data poisoning and prompt injection to model manipulation and adversarial exploits.

12. 

    22 Oct 2025

    Making AI Possible:From Stars to Code: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Leadership -October 2025

    Bridging the Gap Between Research and Leadership Welcome to the Making AI Possible Podcast—your monthly deep dive into the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and how they’re shaping the world around us. Produced at Caltech in Pasadena, California, this series features in-depth conversations with the people driving AI innovation forward. This podcast series features the latest AI advancements with some of the brightest minds in the field, such as groundbreaking research from AI industry leaders, labs here on campus, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which Caltech manages for NASA. In our October 7 session of Making AI Possible, Director of AI Programs, Nicholas Beaudoin, sits down with Dr. Crystal Dilworth, Caltech PhD, global science communicator, and host of the 100+ year Watson Lecture series, about the evolving intersection of science communication and artificial intelligence. They discuss what AI can and cannot solve in bridging the gap between research and leadership, share stories of AI as both a personal collaborator and a team thought partner, and explore how AI systems carry cultural assumptions into the workplace and beyond. From training scientists to lead in entrepreneurial spaces, to weighing whether enterprise AI choices reflect or reshape organizational values, this conversation challenges us to consider how the tools we deploy shape the future we want to build. Dr. Crystal Dilworth, AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador for STEM, is an international voice for science, strategic communicator, and non-profit board member. She received her PhD from the Caltech division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering in 2014 and for the last decade has worked as a science communicator, television correspondent, and start-up advisor. She is host of the historic Watson Lectures series at Caltech, and can also be found on networks including Voice of America, Al Jazeera, and CBS. Off-screen, Dr. Dilworth works closely with academic groups and early stage start-ups, training faculty and founders in public speaking, leadership communication, and storytelling. She is an advisor for the AI working group of the Future Talent Council, helping build best practices for AI integration into higher ed and executive leadership environments, and the start-up software company Instill.ai, building the world's first AI powered "culture operating system". ♦ As Caltech CTME's Affiliate Director of AI Programs, Nicholas Beaudoin intersects strategic program development with hands-on curriculum design, positioning AI/ML education programs at the forefront of technological transformation. Leading the AI programs at Caltech's Center for Technology & Management Education, Nicholas' focus is on delivering impactful learning experiences tailored to a diverse clientele, including private and public sectors, as well as government and non-profit organizations

13. 

    15 Sept 2025TRANSCRIPT

    Making AI Possible:From Stars to Code: AI in the Hunt for Planet -September 2025

    From Stars to Code: AI in the Hunt for Planet 9 Calling Occupants of... Planet 9! Welcome to the Making AI Possible Podcast—your monthly deep dive into the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and how they’re shaping the world around us. Produced at Caltech in Pasadena, California, this series features in-depth conversations with the people driving AI innovation forward. This podcast series features the latest AI advancements with some of the brightest minds in the field, such as groundbreaking research from AI industry leaders, labs here on campus, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which Caltech manages for NASA. In our September 2 session of Making AI Possible, Director of AI Programs, Nicholas Beaudoin, sits down with Caltech's Professor Konstantin Batygin, astrophysicist, theorist, and co-discoverer of the proposed Planet 9, for a wide-ranging conversation on how AI will accelerate planetary science. We’ll explore what the search for Planet 9 can teach us about discovery, how coding and computation are transforming research, and where AI may shape the future of space exploration. In true rockstar fashion, we’ll close with a lively discussion on AI and music, along with the next tour stop for his critically acclaimed band, The Seventh Season.

14. 

    14 Aug 2025TRANSCRIPT

    Making AI Possible: In Space!

    In our August 5 webcast/podcast, host and Caltech Affiliate Director of AI Programs Nicholas Beaudoin talks with special guest Manuel Gonzalez-Rivero, Director of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at the Aerospace Corporation. Together they will explore how to make AI possible—in space, covering these topics: 1. The challenges/costs/hardships unique to the space environment that make AI difficult, and how it measures the best of our energies and skills. 2. How we move from research to production in the space context to accept and meet these challenges. 3. Key technologies to embrace as quickly as possible (because the pace of progress is breathtaking) We'll be drawing from John F. Kennedy's famous September, 1962 speech on the space race challenges that still ring true today in the context of AI and space. We'll cover the robust pace of scientific advancement, the high cost and hardships—and the robust rewards.

15. 

    8 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT

    Making AI Possible: Inside Baseball: How Machine Learning is Applied in an MLB Front Office

    Nicholas Beaudoin interviews Dr. Richard Anderson about the application of machine learning, statistics, and data analytics in Major League Baseball, specifically within the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, to enhance player development and in-game strategy.

16. 

    11 Jun 2025TRANSCRIPT

    Making AI Possible:Taking ML from Space to Industry-June 2025

    Host Nicholas Beaudoin interviews Dr. Matthew Graham about applying machine learning techniques used in astronomy, like real-time AI inferencing and big data ingestion, to solve challenges and offer valuable insights for various industries.

17. 

    6 May 2025TRANSCRIPT

    Making AI Possible: May-2025

    Caltech Affiliate Director of AI Programs Nicholas Beaudoin, talks with special guest Dr. Georgia Gkioxari on the subject, From Research to Application, where they discuss how research applies to industry use cases and their direct applications.

Inside a recent episode

Human Coordination of Agentic Teams

Published 21 Sept 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] And then I'd like to teach them to go slow in the beginning after they fully understand the scope of their work before they start automating using agents. Right. So I think going slow and testing and writing your documents, your best practices and so on and so forth becomes really valuable content that agents pick up in their context windows and they make your life easier at the end afterwards, right? Tell me a little bit about sort of accountability and going slow when you're building that type of workflow. Because for me, I feel like colloquially in conversation, I hear people that are turning to agents when it's work that they don't know how to do and they don't want to learn. […]

Who has been a guest on Making AI Possible

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Nikos Michalakis
• Anthony Ardizzi
• Michael Frantz
• Jonathan Cheung
• Dr Fatima T Zahra

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 7 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

15

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

Contact Making AI Possible

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Making AI Possible