Behind The Tech with Kevin Scott
66 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 96 ratingsBehind the Tech invites listeners to geek out with an amazing line-up of tech heroes, inventors and innovators. Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott takes tech enthusiasts behind-the-scenes to meet AI experts, computer scientists, authors, musicians, digital leaders, bioengineers and neuroscientists who have made discoveries, built tools, and literally helped make our modern world possible.
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Episodes
Xyla Foxlin, Engineer and YouTube Creator
February 27, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour - 154 MBXyla Foxlin is an engineer and YouTuber with a passion for making things dating back to her early childhood love of art and creative exploration. What began as a way to entertain herself with whatever materials she could find blossomed into a career as a content creator and maker, showcasing her skills crafting everything from a rocket to a sailboat. In this episode, Xyla and Kevin discuss the challenges she’s faced in the maker space, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the work she’s done to...
Lisa Su, Chair and CEO, AMD
January 08, 2024 15:00 - 59 minutes - 41.6 MBAs Chair and CEO of AMD, Lisa Su leads the transformation of the strategy and product execution of one of the fastest growing semiconductor companies in the world. She’s the recipient of numerous awards, and a recent appointee to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. In this episode, she discusses her upbringing as the daughter of a mathematician, her early interest in engineering and figuring out how things work, and why she thinks this is the most exciting time in ...
Year in Review 2023
December 12, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 158 MBAs 2023 comes to an end, we take a look back at some of the year’s most compelling, thought-provoking conversations with guests like Bill Gates, Neil deGrasse Tyson, OpenAI’s Mira Murati, Shopify’s Tobi Lutke, will.i.am, Sci-fi author Adrian Tchaikovsky, and many more. The year’s programs featured a wide range of topics including equity in tech, advocating for science and, of course, the transformative power of AI. Kevin Scott Behind the Tech with Kevin Scott Discover and listen to...
David Kirtley, Co-Founder and CEO, Helion
November 14, 2023 14:00 - 1 hour - 51.2 MBHelion is building the world’s first fusion power plant, and co-founder and CEO David Kirtley is on a mission to improve access to clean energy for a better future. We’re inspired by the work that they’re doing—in fact, Microsoft recently announced that Helion is going to provide the company fusion power starting in 2028. In this episode, Kevin and David discuss David’s early childhood and how he got interested in science, how he got into the field of fusion, his current role at Helion and h...
William A. Adams, Software Engineer, DEI Innovator, and Philanthropist
October 24, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 49.5 MBWilliam A. Adams is a software engineer, DEI innovator, and philanthropist whose contributions to the field have been documented by the Computer History Museum. He spent more than 20 years at Microsoft, where he rolled out critical XML code globally, co-founded the Leap program, and served as Kevin’s first technical advisor. In this episode, Kevin and William discuss how William got interested in STEM at a young age, founding a software development company in the 80s, his career at Microsoft...
Kevin Roose, Tech Columnist, Podcast Host, and Author
September 19, 2023 14:00 - 51 minutes - 119 MBKevin Roose is a technology columnist for The New York Times covering technology innovation, including AI. He’s also the author of three books: his latest, Futureproof, is a “guide to surviving the technological future,” including nine rules to help people more confidently navigate a machine-filled world. In this episode, Roose discusses how he developed an interest in technology at a young age, how he became a journalist and an author (and how technology has impacted both industries), what ...
will.i.am, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Musician, and Producer
August 01, 2023 14:00 - 1 hour - 163 MBwill.i.am is most well-known as the founder and lead member of the Black Eyed Peas. Simultaneously, he is also an entrepreneur and Founder & CEO of FYI.AI, a Web 3.0 AI messenger, where he spends a lot of his time investing in software and operating systems incorporating AI, natural language understanding, and voice computing. In this episode, Kevin and will.i.am discuss his upbringing and how he got interested in technology, his optimism around AI and where it’s going (especially in creati...
Mira Murati, Chief Technology Officer, OpenAI
July 11, 2023 14:00 - 1 hour - 76 MBMira Murati is one of the most innovative tech leaders of our time. She has helped to scale OpenAI to the company it is today and lead teams to build innovative technologies and products including ChatGPT, DALL-E, and GPT-4. In this episode, Kevin and Mira discuss how she became interested in the sciences and technology, her innate sense of curiosity which led her to a career in artificial intelligence, and how OpenAI is deploying their technology responsibly for developers and consumers. ...
Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist, Author, and Podcast Host
May 23, 2023 14:30 - 1 hour - 99.9 MBNeil deGrasse Tyson is one of America’s best-known astrophysicists and a huge advocate for the sciences and scientific thinking. Neil has a great talent for presenting complex concepts in a clear and accessible manner, a critical aspect of his role as an educator and director of the Hayden Planetarium. In this episode, Kevin talks with Neil about his interest in the sciences and innate curiosity, how he stays up to date in pop culture, topics he explores in his book Starry Messenger, and so ...
Adrian Tchaikovsky, Award-winning Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer
May 09, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 156 MBAdrian Tchaikovsky is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy writer and probably one of our favorite authors right now. He is best known for his series Shadows of the Apt and Children of Time. In this episode, Kevin talks with Adrian about his upbringing and how he got interested in science fiction, his unique storytelling abilities, and how current AI technology such as ChatGPT will impact the future of sci-fi novels. Adrian Tchaikovsky Kevin Scott Behind the Tech with Kevi...
Bill Gates, Co-chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
March 21, 2023 18:50 - 55 minutes - 128 MBToday, we have a special guest joining us on the podcast—Bill Gates. With the rapidly evolving AI landscape, including the release of products like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and the new Bing, it was the perfect time to have Bill join to talk about this unique moment in the history of computing. In this episode, Kevin talks with Bill about the latest in AI research, including the release of GPT-4, how past technology revolutions have led us to where we are today, how AI is evolving his philanthropic w...
Rana el Kaliouby, Founder of Affectiva, Deputy CEO of Smart Eye, and Emotion AI Pioneer
February 14, 2023 11:00 - 56 minutes - 78 MBEmpathy and emotions are at the center of how we connect and communicate as humans—in fact, 93 percent of how we communicate is accomplished through non-verbal means. Emotion AI (a subset of AI that measures, understands, simulates and reacts to human emotions) pioneer Rana el Kaliouby is on a mission to bring more emotional intelligence to the digital world. In this episode, Kevin talks with Rana about her upbringing and how she got into tech, her experience and challenges co-founding Affec...
Tobi Lütke: CEO and Founder, Shopify
January 03, 2023 15:30 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBTobi Lütke, CEO and founder of the Canadian multinational e-commerce platform Shopify, is always looking for the tools he can use to build a better company. Since his early days running an online snowboard shop from his carport, Tobi has envisioned himself as fundamentally a craftsman first and a business exec second, a mindset that he has used to solve a wide variety of problems over the course of his career. In this episode, he joins Kevin to talk about applying computer science and engine...
Year in Review 2022
December 20, 2022 15:30 - 49 minutes - 44.9 MBAs 2022 winds down, we revisit some of the year’s most inspirational and fascinating conversations with makers, engineers, award-winning sci-fi authors, and tech leaders—discussing topics ranging from building diversity into the ways we do work, to what the metaverse looks like now and far into the future, to imagining robots that know what you need before you do. Kevin Scott Behind the Tech with Kevin Scott Discover and listen to other Microsoft podcasts.
Randall Munroe: XKCD Cartoonist, Author, & Physicist
September 05, 2022 23:00 - 1 hour - 97.2 MBXKCD is one of our favorite webcomics - and it started out as doodles in Randall Munroe's college notebooks. Munroe describes his work as “a webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.” In this episode, he joins Kevin to talk about how he got started, where his inspiration comes from and his latest book, What If? 2: Additional Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions. Find out why a surprising number of cartoonists are physicists by training, explore the joy of seeki...
Sam Schillace: Deputy CTO, Microsoft
August 10, 2022 01:00 - 1 hour - 89.4 MBHave you ever wondered who was behind the creation of Google Docs? Kevin talks with Sam Schillace, one of the people who launched the transformational – and at the time controversial – idea 16 years ago. Today, Sam is an engineering Corporate VP focusing on consumer product culture and next generation productivity who stresses the importance of asking “What if?” questions. Kevin and Sam talk career advice, the fact that there’s always tension in high functioning teams and why we’re on the cu...
Simone Giertz: Inventor, entrepreneur & robotics enthusiast
July 05, 2022 01:00 - 57 minutes - 79.7 MBThis 31-year old YouTube phenom constantly pushes the envelope with her unique inventions – from her Every Day Calendar or a screwdriver ring to the world’s ‘worst’ jigsaw puzzle. Kevin talks with Simone about how she gets the inspiration to make the things she creates, as well as challenges she faces as a product manufacturer. Learn about her future plans in this exciting episode. Simone Giertz on YouTube Yetch Store Kevin Scott Behind the Tech with Kevin Scott Discover and listen...
Phil Spencer: CEO, Microsoft Gaming
June 06, 2022 23:00 - 1 hour - 90.3 MBProducing a blockbuster video game like Halo can be even more complex, creative, - and costly - than making a major motion picture. Kevin talks with Phil Spencer, a 34-year veteran of Microsoft, about video games as an art form, and how critical feedback is to game design. Phil shares some of his favorite games, describes the first program he ever wrote and even divulges his gamer tag! Kevin Scott Behind the Tech with Kevin Scott Discover and listen to other Microsoft podcasts.
David Baszucki: Co-Founder and CEO, Roblox
May 09, 2022 23:00Imagine what more than 50 million daily users on a gaming platform can create! David Baszucki is an entrepreneur, engineer and inventor who co-founded Roblox. Anyone with kids likely knows that Roblox is an online game creation platform that lets users design their own games, play games created by others, and even get paid for their creations. Roblox has helped millions of up-and-coming game developers learn the basics of their domain and work on their talents. Kevin and David talk about the...
David Baszucki: Co-Founder and CEO, Roblox
May 09, 2022 23:00Imagine what more than 50 million daily users on a gaming platform can create! David Baszucki is an entrepreneur, engineer and inventor who co-founded Roblox. Anyone with kids likely knows that Roblox is an online game creation platform that lets users design their own games, play games created by others, and even get paid for their creations. Roblox has helped millions of up-and-coming game developers learn the basics of their domain and work on their talents. Kevin and David talk about the...
David Baszucki: Co-Founder and CEO, Roblox
May 09, 2022 23:00Imagine what more than 50 million daily users on a gaming platform can create! David Baszucki is an entrepreneur, engineer and inventor who co-founded Roblox. Anyone with kids likely knows that Roblox is an online game creation platform that lets users design their own games, play games created by others, and even get paid for their creations. Roblox has helped millions of up-and-coming game developers learn the basics of their domain and work on their talents. Kevin and David talk about the...
Alexis Ohanian: Reddit Co-Founder and CEO of 776
April 11, 2022 23:00 - 53 minutes - 98.8 MBIn this candid interview Alexis Ohanian, the enigmatic co-founder of Reddit, tells the story of how he created the company and talks with Kevin about his early days with Y-Combinator, how he taps into his ‘flow state’, and his new investment fund 776, which is deploying VC money, funding entrepreneurs, and incubating companies. Alexis Ohanian | 776 Kevin Scott Behind the Tech with Kevin Scott Discover and listen to other Microsoft podcasts.
Irma Olguin: CEO & Co-Founder of Bitwise Industries
March 14, 2022 23:00 - 1 hour - 111 MBThis inspirational entrepreneur is building economies in underserved communities around the U.S by democratizing opportunities that technology can provide. Olguin raised one of the largest Series A rounds ever for a female, Latinx-led company, and as CEO and co-founder, she oversees Bitwise's operations teams, tech-focused training programs, and software development. Kevin talks with Irma about resilience, what it takes to overcome adversity, and giving back to your community. Irma Olgui...
Irma Olguin: CEO & Co-Founder of Bitwise Industries
March 14, 2022 23:00 - 1 hour - 111 MBThis inspirational entrepreneur is building economies in underserved communities around the U.S by democratizing opportunities that technology can provide. Olguin raised one of the largest Series A rounds ever for a female, Latinx-led company, and as CEO and co-founder, she oversees Bitwise's operations teams, tech-focused training programs, and software development. Kevin talks with Irma about resilience, what it takes to overcome adversity, and giving back to your community. Irma Olgui...
Neal Stephenson, Award-winning science fiction author
February 08, 2022 02:30 - 59 minutes - 109 MBMeet one of Kevin’s favorite sci-fi authors who influenced him as a kid growing up in rural Virginia. Kevin and this award-winning writer talk about metaverse and misinformation, as well as ways to combat climate change - including carbon capture, which Neal believes will be one of the biggest tech projects in human history. Neal Stephenson Kevin Scott Behind the Tech with Kevin Scott Discover and listen to other Microsoft podcasts.
Dr. Daniela Rus, Director of MIT Computer Science and AI Lab
January 18, 2022 03:00 - 55 minutes - 101 MBImagine nature inspiring us to create robots of the future! Kevin explores the future with Dr. Daniela Rus, who heads MIT’s CSAIL program. Hear about the latest research on everything from AI & ML to Human-Computer Interaction and Computational Biology. Daniela Rus Kevin Scott Behind the Tech with Kevin Scott Discover and listen to other Microsoft podcasts.
Year in Review 2021
December 13, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 118 MBIt's time for our annual episode that revisits inspirational guests, including AI experts, bioengineers, Grammy winners, entrepreneurs and digital influencers. Topics range from research on AI and protein design, to robotics, to the importance of recruiting more girls for STEM. We also catch up with a few of our past guests to find out what they're up to these days. Wishing you all happy holidays and a healthy 2022! Show links: Kevin Scott Behind the Tech with Kevin Scott Discover an...
Dr. Steven Pinker: Psychologist, psycholinguist and author
November 29, 2021 22:33 - 1 hour - 125 MBWhat could be more interesting than the human mind? Pinker is a best-selling author interested in all aspects of language and human nature. Kevin talks with this Harvard professor about the human mind, rationality and developmental linguistics. Click here for transcript of this episode. Behind the Tech with Kevin Scott Steven Pinker Discover and listen to other Microsoft podcasts.
Justine Ezarik: Digital influencer, author, and actress
October 18, 2021 23:00 - 1 hour - 122 MBiJustine – popular techie, gamer, and YouTube tech reviewer – has nearly 7 million subscribers across YouTube. Kevin talks with Justine about her career path, tapping tech to help build your own online platform and insights into what it’s really like to be a content creator. Click here for transcript of this episode. Kevin Scott iJustine: https://www.youtube.com/ijustine
Dr. Peter Lee: Microsoft Research & Incubations
September 22, 2021 22:00 - 1 hour - 128 MBKevin talks with Peter Lee about critical response scientific research, deep learning and neural networks – all related to Covid-19 and Microsoft’s growing healthcare and life sciences initiative. Listen in as they also discuss the key role that public trust plays in the work of scientists and researchers. Click here for transcript of this episode. Kevin Scott Behind the Tech
Steven Bathiche: Microsoft Technical Fellow
July 19, 2021 23:00 - 45 minutes - 82.8 MBSteven Bathiche, who’s behind some of the most innovative Microsoft products, shares his philosophy of life and talks about new computing form factors from AI and machine learning to robotics. Listen in as Kevin talks with Steven about where creative ideas originate – and how to use failure to create your next success. Kevin Scott Click here for transcript of this episode.
Chase Jarvis: Entrepreneur, artist and photographer
June 21, 2021 23:00 - 58 minutes - 109 MBJoin Kevin for a fascinating conversation with Chase Jarvis – CEO and Founder of CreativeLive. The CreativeLive platform gives millions of people ways to discover their passions. Find out how exploring your “creative side” can inspire a successful career. It’s Creativity with a capital “C”. Click here for transcript of this episode. Kevin Scott CreativeLive
Dr. David Baker: Director of the Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington
May 24, 2021 23:00 - 46 minutes - 86.2 MBTechnology is influencing protein design research in ways that would have been science fiction a decade ago. Find out how engineering and biology are working together today to improve our health and how researchers are designing new biological compounds to fight chronic disease - and prepare us for the next pandemic. Click here for transcript of this episode. Kevin Scott Rosetta@home Foldit
Kimberly Bryant: CEO & Founder of Black Girls Code
April 27, 2021 23:00 - 1 hour - 115 MBThis charismatic leader talks about untapped potential – and why encouraging young people to study computer science is critical for the future of technology. Find out how Kimberly’s efforts are impacting STEM initiatives across the U.S. Click here for transcript of this episode. Kevin Scott BlackGirlsCode
Ashley Llorens: Artificial intelligence and robotics
March 30, 2021 23:00 - 1 hour - 110 MBJoin Kevin and this new distinguished scientist at Microsoft, Ashley Llorens, as they explore the future promise of artificial intelligence, robotics and autonomous systems. Ashley is also a hip-hop artist known as Soulstice. Listen to their discussion about the parallels between careers in science and music. Kevin Scott SoulStice on Apple Music Click here for transcript of this episode.
Jacob Collier and Ben Bloomberg: Bonus Episode
March 10, 2021 00:00 - 40 minutes - 73.5 MBKevin’s conversation with this amazing duo was so fascinating, we’re publishing this bonus episode! Grammy-award winning musician Jacob Collier and MIT PhD Ben Bloomberg reflect on human and artificial intelligence and its impact on creativity. Find out how AI is playing a constructive role in this amazing duo’s creative work. Click here for transcript of this episode. Kevin Scott Ben Bloomberg Jacob Collier Subscribe to Behind the Tech Podcast with Kevin Scott - Microsoft
Jacob Collier & Ben Bloomberg: Grammy award-winning duo
February 24, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 133 MBIn this episode, Kevin talks tech and music with Grammy-award winning musician Jacob Collier and MIT PhD Ben Bloomberg, who designs the tech behind the music. Their unique collaborations are breaking new ground in the music industry, leveraging innovative technologies to design, create and perform. Find out how AI is playing a constructive role in this amazing duo’s creative work. Click here for transcript of this episode. Kevin Scott Ben Bloomberg Jacob Collier
Dr. Mae Jemison: Astronaut, engineer, physician and educator
January 27, 2021 00:00 - 44 minutes - 82.1 MBThe first African American woman in space chats with Kevin about human interstellar flight, the 100 Year Starship project, and experiential education. She talks about achieving one’s own level of excellence and explains why exploring an extraordinary tomorrow creates a better today. Click here for transcript of this episode. Kevin Scott 100 Year Starship LookUp
Behind the Tech: 2020 Year in Review
December 09, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 106 MBHow can we use technology to better the lives of everyone on the planet? That’s a theme running through our favorite conversations of the year – from artificial intelligence to synthetic biology. Listen in to learn a few cool things about our extraordinary guests! View the transcript. Kevin Scott Behind the Tech with Kevin Scott f4l3zKfbAt5enScc7FUG
Oren Etzioni, PhD: CEO of Allen Institute for AI
October 20, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 90.1 MBOren is a leading thinker in neural networks and Natural Language Processing. His research is focused on foundational issues relating to intelligence, machine learning and web search. He’s received numerous honors and awards, including “Geek of the Year” from GeekWire. Click here transcript of this episode. Oren Etzioni Kevin Scott
Charles Stross: Award-winning sci-fi author
September 22, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 60.8 MBDid sci-fi books inspire you to enter science or engineering? In this fascinating conversation, Kevin talks with one of his favorite authors about a broad range of topics from Trotskyism to bioscience research. Kevin Scott Charles Stross Click here for transcript of this episode.
Daphne Koller, PhD: CEO and founder of insitro
August 25, 2020 23:30 - 1 hour - 56.3 MBFormer Stanford University professor Daphne Koller's cutting edge work combines machine learning and biology to transform pharmaceutical drug development. Her work at insitro is part of an emerging field - digital biology - that is having an impact on multiple fields, including biomaterial design, agriculture, and human health. This MacArthur Fellow was also named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people. Click here for transcript of this episode. Kevin Scott
Tom Daniel: Neuroscientist and bioengineer
July 21, 2020 23:55 - 1 hour - 92 MBTom Daniel’s groundbreaking research melds neuroscience, engineering, computing, and biomechanics. Learn how three transformations in bioscience and technology are propelling us forward to better understand our world. Host Kevin Scott Click here for transcript of this episode.
Drew Endy: Bioengineering pioneer
June 23, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 50.8 MBLearn how Drew Endy, one of the world’s most well-known experts in synthetic biology, believes it can be harnessed to solve some of today’s most pressing issues – and why taking biology for granted is a dangerous thing. Click here for transcript of this episode. Kevin Scott
Dr. Eric Horvitz: Chief Scientific Officer, Microsoft
May 28, 2020 00:36 - 1 hour - 44.5 MBMicrosoft’s first Chief Scientific Officer, Technical Fellow and world-renowned AI researcher, Dr. Eric Horvitz, gives us an insider’s look into how the experts are approaching the fight against Covid-19. Learn how AI and bioscience are playing a critical role in gaining insights into the best way to approach this pandemic and prepare for future challenges. Click here for full transcript of this episode. Listen to other Microsoft podcasts at aka.ms/microsoft/podcasts
Kevin Scott and Reprogramming the American Dream
April 14, 2020 00:00 - 41 minutes - 28.9 MBListen in for a sneak peek into Kevin's new book “Reprogramming the American Dream.” Co-author Greg Shaw interviews Kevin about the future of AI and how it can evolve to better serve us all, from rural America to Silicon Valley. Kevin Scott Visit our site for more info: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/behind-the-tech
Percy Liang: Stanford University Professor, technologist, and researcher in AI
March 19, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 44.9 MBWe talk with Stanford University Professor Percy Liang. They discuss the challenges of conversational AI and the latest leading-edge efforts to enable people to speak naturally with computers. Visit our site for more info: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/behind-the-tech Listen and subscribe to other Microsoft podcasts at aka.ms/microsoft/podcasts
Chris Urmson: Aurora CEO - Autonomous Driving
January 30, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 48.8 MBLearn about the latest thinking for autonomous driving technology from Aurora CEO Chris Urmson, who led Google’s self-driving car program. This former Carnegie Mellon professor also tells us about his days with DARPA and shares predictions for 2020 and beyond. Listen to other Microsoft podcasts at aka.ms/microsoft/podcasts
Behind the Tech: 2019 Year in Review
December 20, 2019 00:13 - 1 hour - 46.3 MBTo wrap up the year, we revisit podcast conversations with a few of the incredible thinkers and innovators who have been on the show. Topics range from the democratization of artificial intelligence, to the challenges of social media and the internet. You may also hear some surprising things these folks do in their free time when they’re not changing the course of tech history in some fascinating way.
Danny Hillis: Inventor, entrepreneur, scientist
November 21, 2019 23:00 - 1 hour - 46.6 MBIf you’ve heard of the 10,000 Year Clock, you know Danny. He’s a computer scientist, who pioneered parallel computers and their use in artificial intelligence. Danny founded Thinking Machines Corporation, a parallel supercomputer manufacturer, and was a fellow at Walt Disney Imagineering.