University of California Video Podcasts (Video)

High-altitude adaptation stands out as one of the most notable examples of evolution within our species. Despite similar challenges of decreased oxygen availability, human groups on different continents have followed unique evolutionary trajectories. I will discuss how genomic, molecular, and physiological discoveries reveal key insights into human-specific evolutionary changes, examine comparative findings and limitations, and consider alternative approaches for understanding distinct facets of this extraordinary human phenomenon. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 39274]

Young children’s learning may be an important model for artificial intelligence (AI). In this program, Alison Gopnik, professor of psychology and member of the Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research (BAIR) Lab at UC Berkeley, says that comparing children and artificial agents in the same tasks and environments can help us understand the abilities of existing systems and create new ones. In particular, many current large data-supervised systems, such as large language models (LLMs), provide new ways to access information collected by past agents. However, they lack the kinds of exploration and innovation that are characteristic of children. New techniques may help to instantiate childlike curiosity, exploration and play in AI systems.

This program is co-hosted with the UC Berkeley College of Computing, Data Science, and Society and the UC Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research (BAIR) Lab.

About the Series:

CITRIS Research Exchange delivers fresh perspectives on information technology and society from distinguished academic, industry and civic leaders. Free and open to the public, these seminars feature leading voices on societal-scale research issues. Series: "Data Science Channel" [Science] [Show ID: 39351]

Theologian and social activist Father Bryan Massingale, professor of theology and social ethics at Fordham University, is an outspoken voice for anti-racism and LGBTQ+ rights, both within the Catholic Church and society as a whole. His 2010 study, “Racial Justice and the Catholic Church,” was prophetic in the way it spoke about racism in religious institutions. His life and work embody a commitment to addressing issues of racism, social inequality, and LGBTQ+ rights from a spiritual and ethical perspective. In this program, Father Massingale addresses the shocking rise of white Christian nationalism, its threat to democracy and how to move forward. He challenges institutions, including the Catholic Church, to confront their own complicity in perpetuating racial disparities and to actively work towards racial justice and reconciliation. He believes in the power of open but uncomfortable conversations to bridge divides and create spaces for healing and growth. Series: "Burke Lectureship on Religion and Society" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39381]

Robert T. Fremeau, Jr., Ph.D., delves into Rett syndrome, a complex neurological condition. His research with brain organoids unveils its origins and progression. Fremeau uncovers disease markers and innovative treatments, offering insight into the pursuit of breakthrough therapies. Series: "Autism Tree Project Annual Neuroscience Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 39167]

CIRM-funded Alpha Stem Cell Clinics are a network of California medical centers that specialize in delivering stem cell clinical trials to patients. In this fascinating panel, clinic directors discuss advanced treatments, therapies like gene editing, and sharing knowledge and creating networks across the country for better patient care.

Featuring:

Geoffrey Lomax, Dr.PH

California Institute for Regenerative Medicine

Esther and Andrew Schorr

Patient Advocates

Sandra Dillon

Cancer Survivor and Stem Cell Champion

Catriona Jamieson, M.D., Ph.D.

UC San Diego

Mehrdad Abedi, M.D.

UC Davis

Daniela A. Bota, M.D., Ph.D.

UC Irvine

Sheila Chari, Ph.D.

Cell Press

Leo D. Wang, M.D., Ph.D.

City of Hope National Medical Center

Mark Walters, M.D.

University of California, San Francisco

Thomas Buchanan, M.D.

University of Southern California

Michael Lewis, M.D.

Cedars Sinai

Noah Federman, M.D.

UCLA Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39070]

Yale Strom’s Hot Pstromi is a U.S.-based klezmer ensemble. Much of the repertoire comes from Strom's many years of ethnographic research he has conducted in Eastern Europe. Many of the melodies and Yiddish songs come from Jews and Roma who played before and after the Holocaust and that Strom interviewed and with whom he performed. The band’s New York-based lineup includes: Peter Stan, Norbert Stachel, Elizabeth Schwartz, Sprocket and Klezmatics co-founder David Licht. Series: "Arts Channel " [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 39282]

Julia Cormano, M.D., F.A.C.O.G, speaks with Lars Bode, Ph.D., about the significance of human milk, highlighting its diverse benefits for infants and mothers. They explore its unique properties and practical implications for healthcare and society on a global scale. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39317]

The human genome contains segments of DNA with non-human origins. This introgressed genetic material is remnants of mating events between early modern humans and their archaic contemporaries (e.g., Neanderthals and Denisovans). In this talk, Andrew Schork will review the evidence for such genetic material, its consequences on phenotypic diversity in modern humans, and discuss if this process - archaic introgression - is typical among other great ape species. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 39273]

After founding four companies and working at top firms in venture capital and private equity, where fast growth and maximum profits rule, David Whorton, Founder and CEO of the Tugboat Institute, has spent the last decade exploring and developing the concept of the evergreen company—one built to last privately over 100 years. The evergreen company stands in contrast to those that are being built to flip to generate wealth for a small few. Instead, evergreen companies are being built with very long planning horizons and the commitment to share their success with their employees and their communities. Whorton argues evergreen companies are incredibly important to our society, but overlooked and under-appreciated relative to venture capitalists, private equity and public companies that represent the de facto growth company models.

Since the dot.com boom, the de facto growth model for venture capitalists has been get-big-fast. It later evolved to growth-at-all-costs with the advent of cheap money under loose Fed policies. This play book led to numerous excesses, including the manic pursuit of ever larger and higher valuation rounds in hot companies. In the same period, private equity has risen dramatically, unwisely seen by many as a safer asset class than public stocks; an industry sits on over a trillion dollars of dry powder to invest, matched with a couple trillion of debt, giving the private equity firms purchasing power over $3 trillion dollars. Series: "Tanner Lectures on Human Values" [Business] [Show ID: 39235]

Researchers used to define objectives for artificial intelligence (AI) agents by hand, but with progress in optimization and reinforcement learning, it became obvious that it's too difficult to think of everything ahead of time and write it down. Instead, these days the objective is viewed as a hidden part of the state on which researchers can receive feedback or observations from humans — how they act and react, how they compare options, what they say. In this talk, Anca Dragan, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at UC Berkeley, discusses what this transition has achieved, what open challenges researchers still face and ideas for mitigating them. Dragan discusses applications in robotics and how the lessons there apply to virtual agents like large language models. Series: "Data Science Channel" [Science] [Show ID: 39350]