John Pavlus
Contributing science writer for Quanta Magazine specializing in robotics and technology reporting, author of the essay on the state of humanoid robots discussed in this episode.
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Jul 29, 2025 • 30min
When ChatGPT Broke an Entire Field
John Pavlus, a contributing writer for Quanta Magazine, dives into the transformative journey of natural language processing (NLP) since the arrival of large language models like ChatGPT. He shares insights from interviews with 19 NLP researchers, revealing their mixed emotions—some excitement and some concern—about the rapid changes in their field. The discussion touches on how traditional research methods are becoming obsolete, the ethical dilemmas posed by AI, and how advancements in NLP are driving new scientific discoveries.
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Mar 31, 2026 • 31min
Why Do Humanoid Robots Still Struggle With the Small Stuff?
John Pavlus, a science writer who covers robotics and tech, explores why humanoid robots still stumble on everyday tasks. He discusses the importance of human-like form, contrasts practical designs with flashy demos, and highlights gaps in force sensing, physical intelligence, and training data. The conversation examines breakthroughs, realistic timelines, and where true dexterity might come from.
