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Interview: The Future of AI and Us | Particles of Thought

NOVA PBS Official | July 30, 2026



Daniela Rus brings robots and AI together, and as a computer scientist and roboticist at MIT, she’s here to set the record straight. She’s not just studying AI from the outside. She’s building it, and finding ways to make everyday life better. Daniela joins Hakeem to pull back the curtain on what AI actually is, how it really works, and where it is genuinely headed. What happens when AI leaves the cloud and moves into your phone, your car, and even your body? And what does a tiny worm with 302 neurons have to do with the future of machine intelligence? From the history of AI to so-called “liquid networks,” self-driving cars, humanoid robots, and an origami surgeon you can swallow, this conversation covers the full scope of what MIT’s most ambitious minds are building right now.

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Daniela Rus is a computer scientist and roboticist at MIT, where she serves as Director of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). Her research focuses on the science and engineering of autonomy, including the development of new AI models, and physically intelligent systems. She is the co-founder of Liquid AI, a startup bringing energy-efficient on-device AI models to real-world applications.

Particles of Thought is hosted by Hakeem Oluseyi, an astrophysicist, author, STEM educator, multi-patented inventor, science journalist, TV personality, science communicator, and inspirational speaker. His research is based on “hacking stars” to understand our universe better and develop innovative new technologies. Oluseyi’s work has resulted in 11 patents and more than 100 publications covering contributions to astrophysics, cosmology, and plasma physics and the development of space missions, observatories, focal plane instruments, detectors, semiconductor manufacturing, and ion propulsion.

Chapters
00:00:00 AI In Our Daily Lives
00:30:38 AI Robots
00:51:40 The Origins of AI
01:08:11 Credits

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#artificialintelligence #machinelearning #robotics #autonomousvehicles #novapbs

Written by NOVA PBS Official

Comments

This post currently has 14 comments.

  1. @Another-Address

    July 30, 2026 at 2:10 pm

    Do like the ability to move about freely without an excess of subscription fees attached on top of an already pricey buisness model.
    Don't get me wrong here, do see value with atonomus vehicles.
    "None of us are getting any younger."
    However life plus circumstances theirin do lend towards the need for one to have control behind the wheel, and can only see such systems being an option rather than a necessity everyone must by law utilizes.
    Once proven reliable and safe well..some busses, cab services among others in the trucking and transport industry
    (Not all of it mind you.)
    If were still going with this work to earn money in order to live well..
    Won't be a good outcome.

  2. @AdvantestInc

    July 30, 2026 at 2:10 pm

    The point that these models have no built-in representation of physics or real-world constraints is such an important one, since that's exactly where the ceiling she describes comes from.

  3. @tomsreviews238

    July 30, 2026 at 2:10 pm

    Just wait until 10 ft tall 1000lb robots act as police and soldiers and make sure us humans obey whatever laws they are instructed to enforce.
    Remember, all restraints on AI development have been removed and these nerds can develop anything they want.

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