The number 3 on a red background.

Where What If Becomes What's Next Podcast

A CMU Podcast for Next Generation's Doers

We ask bold questions that explore future innovations for the betterment of humanity.

In Season One, we focus on Artificial Intelligence. In Season Two, you'll hear about breakthroughs at CMU from scientists, researchers, innovators and artists at the forefront of artificial intelligence, robotics, health science and the arts.

With host Randy Scott, every other Thursday we’ll introduce you to the CMU experts and their game-changing stories of innovation — experts who have already asked “What If” to make “What's Next” a reality.

Recent Episodes

AI-generated image of a student sitting in a hallway with a computer connected to wifi.

S3: Episode 15

Cutting the Cord: How Wireless Andrew Paved the Way for Today’s Wi-Fi

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

artist drawing an animated character

S3: Episode 14

Reinventing Animation: The Story Behind Toy Story

How does a filmmaker who had no interest in computers end up producing the first computer-animated feature film?

An AI-generated image of a person in a lab coat with blue gloves manipulating a flesh-colored rubbery substance, a beaker full of solution, and a robot hand.

S3 Episode 13

Materials Science: From Silly Putty to Self-Healing Robots

Once we can build materials to do almost anything, what will we ask them to do?