Artificial Life - with Nicholas Thompson and Lee Cronin

Artificial Life - with Nicholas Thompson and Lee Cronin

Author: Atlantic Re:think November 5, 2025 Duration: 26:00
How do you digitize the physical world? In this episode, Nick talks with University of Glasgow chemistry professor Lee Cronin, founder of Chemify—a company that is using AI to turn molecules to code s—about his quest to create a programming language for chemistry, what it means to “print” molecules, and how his team is able to discover new drugs and materials through their “chemputer.” He also discusses how the work is offering new insights into the origins of life on Earth and how to identify it on other planets. (00:00) Introduction (01:45) From setting fires to studying life (05:00) Creating a programming language for chemistry (09:20) Designing and “printing” new molecules (10:45) How hype has distorted AI’s promise (14:17) From sand to cells: the origin of life (16:01) Assembly theory and the bridge from nonlife to life (19:15) What it would take for AI to come alive (23:48) The most interesting way Lee has used AI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nicholas Thompson sits down with some of the sharpest minds working at the edges of artificial intelligence in The Most Interesting Thing in A.I.. This isn't a dry technical briefing or a series of speculative futures; instead, each conversation digs into the tangible, often surprising ways this technology is already altering the fabric of our daily lives and institutions. You'll hear from leading thinkers who cut through the hype to discuss the real ethical dilemmas, economic shifts, and social transformations unfolding right now. Produced by Atlantic Re:think and PwC, the podcast provides a grounded space to explore questions about creativity, power, work, and truth in an age of intelligent machines. The discussions are built on the premise that understanding AI's impact requires looking beyond code and algorithms to consider human values and consequences. Tune in for thoughtful, accessible dialogues that reframe how we think about one of the most significant forces of our time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 41

The Most Interesting Thing in AI
Podcast Episodes
Outsourcing Thought - with Nicholas Thompson and Nita Farahany [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:14
AI is reshaping not just what we think but how we think. In this episode, Nicholas speaks with neuroethicist and legal scholar Nita Farahany about AI's impact on human cognition. Featured Guest: Nita Farahany, Robinson O…
Ethical Machines - with Nicholas Thompson and Audrey Tang [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:31
In the right hands, AI can strengthen human collaboration and civic engagement. In this episode, Nicholas speaks with Taiwanese politician and programmer Audrey Tang about how the technology can be used to enhance democr…
A Different Approach to AI - with Nicholas Thompson and Gary Marcus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:01
Despite the rapid advancements, today’s LLMs are far from infallible. In this episode, Nicholas speaks with author, cognitive scientist, and entrepreneur Gary Marcus, about the ways in which current AI models fall short,…
Season 2 Trailer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26
A podcast series examining how AI is reshaping our world. Each episode features a conversation with a leading thinker who offers a fresh perspective on the far-reaching ethical, economic, and social implications of this…
Drawing with Robots  - with Nicholas Thompson and Sougwen Chung [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:47
While many in the creative world approach AI with hesitation or fear, others embrace it as a collaborator, using it to expand the possibilities of artistic expression. This episode examines how AI is reshaping creativity…
Incremental vs. Exponential - with Nicholas Thompson and Andrew Ng [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:04
AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace. Some experts are convinced that the world as we know it will change dramatically, while others anticipate a more steady evolution. This episode dives into the debate, separating…
Staying Competitive - with Nicholas Thompson and Dan Priest [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:03
AI is no longer just a tool for experimentation—it’s becoming a foundational technology that’s reshaping how businesses operate. This episode describes how companies are embedding AI into their products and services, exp…
Deepfakes and Deception - with Nicholas Thompson and Eva Galperin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:18
From voice-cloning scams to the creation of non-consensual nude imagery, the malevolent use of artificial intelligence poses myriad risks to truth, privacy, and personal safety. Cybersecurity expert Eva Galperin discusse…
Machine Consciousness - with Nicholas Thompson and Geoffrey Hinton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:30
What if the most advanced AI models could think and respond in a way that felt like a human consciousness? How might that transform our understanding of intelligence itself? Some of the leading AI scientists believe that…