SparX by Mukesh Bansal

What happens when the most powerful technology ever built is also the one nobody fully understands - including its creators?Connor Leahy, US Director of Control AI and one of the clearest thinkers in the AI safety space, joins Mukesh Bansal for a conversation that cuts through the hype and lands somewhere far more unsettling: we may have two to five years before AI systems cross a threshold we cannot reverse.This isn't a doom scroll. It's a strategic briefing.In this episode of SparX, Connor breaks down why the race to superintelligence is a national security issue, not a technology one and why the people building it aren't villains, they're just operating inside a system with no brakes. He challenges Yann LeCun's repeated prediction that we're nowhere close, explains why Dario Amodei's admission that we understand only ~3% of how AI works should terrify us, and unpacks why Sam Altman and the labs he leads are racing toward a goal they cannot fully control. He also explains why the "we'll run out of data" argument keeps being wrong, how AI systems are now learning by interacting with environments (just like humans do), and why the moment superintelligence arrives, we probably won't recognise it.We also ask: What can India and other middle powers actually do? Why did the climate movement fail? What must the AI safety movement learn from that? Is Senator Blackburn's Trump AI Act a sign that Washington is finally waking up? And with Bernie Sanders and AOC now speaking out, could AI safety become a defining issue in the 2026 elections?Plus - in a first for the podcast - four frontier AI models (Claude, GPT, Gemini, and Grok) listen live to the conversation and jump in with questions. The results are equal parts fascinating and telling.Guest: Connor Leahy : AI Safety Researcher | Co-founder of EleutherAI | US Director at Control AI

In this episode of SparX, we sit down with Priyamvada Natarajan, theoretical astrophysicist at Yale University and author of the acclaimed book "Mapping the Heavens", for a wide-ranging conversation about black holes, dark matter, alien life, and the future of modern astrophysics.From her early fascination with science to her years at MIT and her groundbreaking research at Yale, Priyamvada takes us through the ideas and experiences that shaped one of the most compelling minds in contemporary science.In this conversation, she breaks down the search for life beyond Earth, the discovery of new planets, and the scientific quest to understand black holes and the hidden structure of the cosmos. She explains why these extreme phenomena are key to understanding how galaxies form, reflects on the current state of scientific research in India, and offers her advice for young scientists stepping into the field. From fundamental questions about alien life to the future direction of astrophysics, this is a conversation about the boundless possibilities of science! CHAPTERS:Keywords : [astrophysics, black holes, dark matter, dark energy, alien life, extraterrestrial life, exoplanets, search for life in space, Priyamvada Natarajan, Yale University, MIT astrophysics, theoretical astrophysics, Mapping the Heavens, galaxy formation, space science, cosmos, universe explained, Nobel Prize science, science podcast, SparX podcast, SparX, podcast India, Indian scientist, women in science, women in STEM, physics podcast, astrophysics podcast, space podcast, science interview, science and technology, scientific research India, ISRO, space exploration, space documentary, universe documentary, black hole explained, what is dark matter, what is dark energy, how galaxies form, is there alien life, life beyond Earth, new planets discovered, astrophysics for beginners, science motivation, advice for young scientists, career in science, career in astrophysics, future of space science, modern astrophysics, cutting edge science, deep space, NASA, James Webb Telescope, event horizon, singularity, cosmology, theoretical physics, quantum physics, science education]0:00-02:53 Intro02:54-21:33 Priyamvada’s Journey21:34-32:46 Priyamvada Achievements32:47-36:49 Detecting Life Beyond Earth36:50-49:15 Understanding Blackholes49:16-57:59 The State of Science in India58:00-58:47 Outro

In this episode of SparX, we speak to Roman Yampolskiy, a leading AI safety researcher and professor of computer science, about the risks of creating superintelligence and whether humanity is prepared for what may come next. Roman argues that we may be closer to human-level AI than many assume, and that permanently controlling a system more intelligent than humans could prove fundamentally impossible. He lays out why some researchers believe development should slow down, and why the window for meaningful intervention may be narrowing.Roman discusses the rapid acceleration toward AGI, early signals of job displacement that could become visible by the end of this decade, and why traditional patterns of technological disruption may not apply this time. He explains why large companies continue investing heavily in AI despite debates around scaling limits, how the global race toward superintelligence is unfolding, and why no scalable safety mechanism currently guarantees control. The conversation also explores AI consciousness, digital labor, the simulation hypothesis, and what widespread automation could mean for identity, purpose, and humanity’s long-term future.If you’re looking for a rigorous and research-driven perspective on the technical, economic, and existential implications of advanced AI, this episode offers a serious examination of what the next decade could hold.

In this episode of SparX, we speak with Neelkanth Mishra one of the leading voices of India Semiconductor Mission. He talks about India’s semiconductor journey from the origins of the Semiconductor Mission to the realities of execution and global competition.He breakdown how the semiconductor ecosystem works, why entry barriers are so high, and what India’s roadmap looks like today. The conversation also explores Micron’s entry into India, early implementation learnings, India’s geopolitical advantage, and the question of whether the country can truly challenge global leaders like NVIDIA.If you’re looking for a clear, grounded understanding of India’s semiconductor ambitions beyond the headlines, this SparX conversation offers context, realism, and long-term perspective.0:00 – 1:42 Introduction1:43 – 3:34 Neelkanth's journey in Semiconductors 3:35 – 11:46 India's Semiconductor Mission11:47 – 14:44 Semiconductor Manufacturing Process14:45 – 17:44 Objective of Semiconductor Mission17:45 – 18:50 Early days of Semiconductor Mission implementation18:51 – 21:08 Entry of Micron in India21:09 – 26:30 Early Implementation Challenges26:31 – 30:34 First Implementation Results30:35 – 32:28 Current State Global Semiconductor Industry32:29 – 35:41 India's Semiconductor Roadmap35:42 – 37:41 Entry Barriers in Semiconductor Industry37:42 – 41:09 India's Geopolitical Advantage41:10 – 44:10 India's Emerging Companies44:11 – 47:50 Can India Challenge NVIDIA?47:51 – 51:56 Why India Can't Be Aatmanirbhar51:57– 52:46 Outro

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal speaks with Emad Mostaque about the rapid acceleration of artificial intelligence and how it could fundamentally reshape work, daily life, and global power over the next decade.Emad breaks down why AI is advancing faster than any previous technology, the role of data, scale, and open-source systems in driving this shift, and what it means for jobs, companies, and countries racing to stay relevant. From the rise of AI-first organizations to how life may look by 2030, this conversation offers a clear, unsentimental view of the future that’s already unfolding.0:00 – 2:31 Introduction2:32 – 7:34 Rapid Growth of AI7:35 – 13:38 China’s Rise as an AI leader 13:39 – 19:47 Scaling AI Models Using Meta Verifiers 19:48 – 30:42 Future of AI in Everyday Life and Jobs30:43 – 39:39 How Companies Should Approach AI and Technology Shifts39:40 – 46:12 What Emad’s New Company Is Trying to Build46:13 – 53:54 Who Is Driving the Future of AI53:55 – 59:49 What India Needs to Get Right in AI field59:50 – 01:01:07 Outro

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal speaks with Stanford behavior scientist B.J. Fogg about how habits are designed, how they break, and the science that governs lasting behavior change.With over 30 years of research in behavior science, Fogg is the creator of the Tiny Habits method and the author of Tiny Habits, widely regarded as one of the most practical frameworks for building habits in real life. He has taught at Stanford since the mid-1990s and has personally coached tens of thousands of people in applying behavior design at scale. If you’re looking for a grounded, evidence-based way to build better habits without pressure or perfection, this conversation with B.J. Fogg offers clarity, practicality, and lasting value.Chapters:0:00-1:36 Intro1:37-5:54 BJ Fogg's journey into Habit Science5:55-9:29 Influence of technology in behaviour 9:30-14:49 Science behind building habits15:00-23:09 Role of the environment in daily habits23:10-29:55 How to stick to new year resolutions 29:56-35:21 Staying consistent with habits35:22-38:59 Using self reward to build habits39:00-45:21 Science behind breaking bad habits45:22-48:01 BJ Fogg's personal story with addictions48:02-51:41 How identity shapes behaviour change51:42-55:03 What's next in habit research 55:05-57:19 AI's role in self improvement 57:30 - 57:39 Outro

In this episode of SparX, Mukeshl sits down with, Debjani Ghosh, leader of  the Frontier Tech Hub within NITI Aayog for a critical discussion. They dive deep into India's technological future, the existential role of AI in national growth, and the dramatic changes impacting careers and geopolitics.Debjani, who brings a unique perspective from 21 years at Intel and leadership at NASSCOM, discusses her experience driving change from within the government and why technology is now the "axis of power" globally.

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with economist and policy thinker Neelkanth Mishra to unpack why he believes this is the true golden age of Indian entrepreneurship. They talk about:Falling cost of capital and a stronger banking system expanding access to debt and equity.Massive domestic flows via SIPs, EPFO, and insurance fueling startups and exits.Policy shifts in GST, decriminalization, and state reforms that slowly ease doing business.The next wave beyond internet startups: fintech, precision manufacturing, hardware, semiconductors, and data centers.The next wave of entrepreneurship beyond internet companies: fintech, precision manufacturing, hardware, semiconductors, data centers, and chip design.Aadhaar’s evolution into a trust and KYC layer, and how lower unit costs in finance, education, and health can break vicious economic cycles.Navigating big tech power, US–China tensions, and political noise while staying focused on India’s long runway from $4T to $20T GDP.If you’re interested in where India’s economy is really headed, how policy and infrastructure shape founder opportunities, or what it takes to build in the middle of geopolitical churn, this conversation with Neelkanth offers rare clarity, realism, and optimism.

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Sanjeev Bikhchandani, founder of Info Edge (Naukri.com), the man who quietly built the foundation of India’s internet economy.From bootstrapping Naukri for 10 years without a salary to backing iconic startups like Zomato and Policybazaar, Sanjeev’s story is a masterclass in patience, conviction, and timing. He reflects on his early dreams of entrepreneurship in the 1970s, quitting his stable job in the 80s for independence, surviving the dot-com bubble, and helping shape India’s startup ecosystem.They talk about:How Naukri was born before the internet arrived in India.The 7 years Sanjeev lived without a salary and how he made it work.Missing early investments in Flipkart, Ola, and Lenskart and what he learned.The mental models around luck, timing, and persistence.Why India still hasn’t built trillion-dollar tech companies and how that could change.His hopes for India’s next wave of startups in AI, deep tech, and IP creation.Sanjeev also opens up about his personal evolution from a restless 25-year-old marketer selling Horlicks to one of India’s most respected entrepreneurs and investors.If you want to understand the real DNA of Indian entrepreneurship, this conversation is a rare glimpse into the mind of the man who started it all.Chapters:00:00 – 01:18 Introduction01:19 – 03:38 Missing Flipkart, Myntra & Ola03:39 – 10:10 The JRD Tata Moment10:11 – 17:36 Early Career & Struggles17:37 – 24:08 First Startup Experiments24:09 – 30:09 How Naukri Was Born30:10 – 41:44 Dotcom boom & crazy valuations41:45 – 44:14 The Role of Luck44:15 – 51:27 Betting Early on India’s Unicorns51:28 – 54:09 What He Seeks in Founders54:10 – 1:03:03 Can India Build Trillion-Dollar Tech Giants?1:03:04 – 1:10:22 Career Advice from Sanjeev

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Peeyush Bansal, Co-founder and CEO of Lenskart. They dive into Peeyush’s journey from building early ventures to creating one of India’s most impactful consumer brands. How his mission to solve India’s vision crisis became a movement to make eyewear accessible for all.They talk about:Why India remains the blind capital of the world.The untapped opportunity in the eye correction market.Crises and hard choices that shaped Lenskart’s growth.Why putting the customer first isn’t a strategy, but a survival skill.How to build with purpose in a market that often overlooks real needs.The challenge of scaling offline retail.If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, purpose-driven business, or building in India’s next wave of consumer health innovation this conversation offers clarity, in every sense.

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal talks with Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology and former Director of IIT Kanpur. They break down how India can build core technology at home, move research from labs to real products, and grow deep tech in AI, quantum, space, biotech, energy and medical tech.They speak about:How capital will be deployed through trusted second-level fund managers like AIFs, DFIs, TDB, BIRAC and IIT research parksPriority areas, from energy transition to biotech, quantum, robotics, space and defence techThe path from basic research to product, including the TRL 4 to 6 valley of deathIndia’s AI plan, including language models, curated datasets and GPU infrastructureThe national quantum mission across computing, communication, sensing and materialsIf you are building deep tech in India or tracking where the next breakthroughs may come from, this conversation is a must-watch.

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal speaks with Manish Gupta, Senior Director at Google DeepMind. They discuss how artificial intelligence is evolving, what it means to build truly inclusive AI, and why India must aim higher in research, innovation, and ambition.Manish shares DeepMind’s vision of solving “root node problems,” fundamental scientific challenges that unlock breakthroughs across fields, and how AI is already accelerating discovery in areas like biology, materials, and medicine.They talk about:What AGI really means and how close we are to it.Why India needs to move from using AI to creating it.The missing research culture in Indian industry, and how to fix it.How AI can transform healthcare, learning, and agriculture in India.Why ambition, courage, and willingness to fail are essential to deep innovation.Manish also shares insights from his career across the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center and now DeepMind, two of the world’s most iconic research environments, and what it will take for India to build its own.If you care about India’s AI journey, research, and the future of innovation, this conversation is a masterclass in what it takes to move from incremental progress to world-changing breakthroughs.

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Roopa Kudva, former head of CRISIL and Omidyar Network India, to discuss her new book Leadership Beyond the Playbook and her powerful reflections on leadership.Roopa shares why leadership is not about following fixed frameworks but about writing your own playbook, shaped by values, lived experiences, and conscious choices. They explore:The toughest transition from middle to top management and why so few make itHow leaders can build breadth of experience and step out of silosWhy authenticity and developing your unique leadership identity matter more than copying stylesThe barriers that hold women back from leadership roles and what it will take for India to change thatWhy mental health is a critical leadership issue and how leaders can normalize conversations around itThe role of reflection, sponsors, and executive coaches in accelerating leadership growthRoopa also shares stories from her own journey, from pioneering credit ratings in India, to asking for the Chief Ratings Officer role at CRISIL, to driving impact investing at scale, and why she believes leadership is both deeply personal and a national imperative.If you are curious about how leaders are made, the challenges of growing into bigger roles, and what it takes to build an authentic leadership path in today’s world, this episode is a must watch.

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal takes a hard look at the state of India’s deep tech ecosystem. While the world races ahead with AI, semiconductors, and frontier science, India is at a crossroads: will we be creators of technology, or just consumers?Mukesh argues that true deep tech is only possible when rooted in deep science, a culture of research, curiosity, and discovery. He unpacks why India risks being left behind if we don’t invest in science the way the US, Europe, and China have, and what it will take for India to build original IP, Nobel-worthy science, and globally competitive deep tech companies.He explores:Why India’s dependence on foreign tech poses a strategic risk.The looming threats to IT services and startup ecosystems.How India can move from “Make in India” to “Discover in India, Invent in India, then Make in India.”Lessons from history: how breakthroughs in physics, AI, and the internet all started with curiosity-driven science.What it will take for India to aspire to Nobel Prizes, original IP, and world-class innovation.This is not just about technology, it's about India’s future. If you care about Viksit Bharat, scientific ambition, and the next wave of innovation, this video is a must-watch.

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal speaks with Rana Adhikari, experimental physicist at Caltech and leading voice in gravitational-wave research. From doubting Einstein as a student to helping build the LIGO detectors that confirmed his theories, Rana has been honoured with the Breakthrough Prize, Gruber Prize, and the New Horizons in Physics Prize.They dive into:What gravitational waves really are, and how LIGO measures distortions smaller than an atom.The story behind LIGO’s breakthrough detections which is now catching 2–3 black hole mergers every week.Why LIGO-India, now approved and funded, could be the world’s most precise detector and even test Einstein’s theory of relativity itself.The cutting-edge role of quantum entanglement and AI in pushing measurement beyond classical limits.Building a thriving science ecosystem in India focused on mentorship, risk-taking, and the path to future Nobel Prizes.Rana also shares his personal journey from tinkering as an auto mechanic in Florida, to becoming one of the world’s foremost experimental physicists, and now working closely with India to bring world-class science infrastructure to life.If you’re curious about black holes, the true nature of reality, or India’s chance to lead in fundamental science, this conversation is a must-watch.

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal speaks with Raghuram Rajan (Former RBI Governor) on India’s economic crossroads, tariff wars, shifting geopolitics, AI disruption, and the urgent need for jobs and human capital investment.They discuss:India’s position between the U.S. and China.The real impact of tariffs on trade, GDP, and livelihoods.Why 7.8% GDP growth isn’t the full story.The jobs crisis and AI’s disruption of tech roles.Building human capital: world-class universities, R&D, and upskilling.Strategic autonomy in AI and reducing vulnerabilities.Dr. Rajan’s message to India’s youth on ambition, learning, and opportunity.If you want to understand the choices shaping India’s economic future, this is a must-watch conversation.

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal speaks with Sharad Sharma, one of the key minds behind Aadhaar and UPI. Sharad shares why he left a successful corporate career to focus on nation building, and how India can avoid becoming a trade colony of China or a tech colony of the US by doubling down on deep tech and research-driven innovation.They discuss:- The origins of India Stack and Digital Public Infrastructure.- How UPI really scaled and the lessons for entrepreneurs.- Why India must build a strong R&D and product innovation ecosystem.- The urgent need for new research institutions, mid-career researchers, and long-term thinking.- How India can carve its own path in AI through health, education, and data-driven use cases.If you want to understand India’s deep-tech playbook and the roadmap to Viksit Bharat, this is a must-watch conversation.

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal speaks with Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). India’s biggest push yet to fund science, research, and deep tech.Shiv explains why India needs to build its own technologies instead of only buying them, and how ANRF will unlock ₹50,000 crore in research grants and ₹1 lakh crore in patient capital to power innovation. They talk about:- How research moves from a basic idea to real products.- Why India spends less on R&D than other nations and how that can change.- How startups, industry, and researchers can work with ANRF.- The big focus areas: AI, medical tech, EVs, quantum, biotech, energy, and more. Shiv also shares his own journey from researcher to industry leader with 75+ patents, and now stepping into government to shape India’s research future. If you’re curious about India’s innovation story and where the next big breakthroughs will come from, this conversation is a must-watch.

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Neelkanth Mishra, Chief Economist at Axis Bank, to unpack the chaos behind Trump’s tariff wars and what it means for the global order.They explore why these moves aren’t just about trade, but about four bigger objectives. Covering various topics from stagnant U.S. wages and life expectancy gaps to America’s renewed manufacturing drive for national security, this episode talks about the forces influencing today’s shifting geopolitical landscape.They discuss whether tariffs can deliver on revenue goals, the risks of a trade war, and how a “might is right” continues to dominate global economics. Neelkanth dives into why a dollar devaluation may be inevitable, what history teaches us, and why China as a near-equal opposer changes the game.Whether you’re an investor, policy enthusiast, or curious about the future of money, power, and global stability, this episode offers a lens into the economic strategies that could rewrite the world order.

In this episode of Sparx, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Tejasvi Surya, one of India’s youngest Members of Parliament for an unfiltered conversation on leadership, purpose, and building a stronger nation. From his early days as a student activist to becoming a Member of Parliament at 28, Tejasvi shares the defining moments, risks, and unwavering convictions that shaped his journey.They dive deep into themes of taking initiative without waiting for permission, the power of youth in nation-building and lessons from icons like Swami Vivekananda on mental strength, physical fitness, and resilience. Tejasvi reveals how a grassroots campaign over coffee shop meetings grew into a statewide movement, why consistency beats intensity in every pursuit, and how a 14-day solo trip to Bhutan helped him rediscover his purpose.The conversation also spans fitness, governance reforms, Bengaluru’s urban challenges, the future of public transport, and the disruptive force of AI along with a bold vision for Viksit Bharat 2047.