We Are ETH

In this episode of We Are ETH, host Susan Kish speaks with Joël Mesot, President of ETH Zurich, a scientist and people-first leader who has guided ETH through rapid change with calm resolve and big ambition. With warmth and humility, Mesot explains how collective intelligence across departments turns ideas into impact, from the Geo Lab and next-generation space research to AI and climate technologies. He shares why ETH is speeding up translation from lab to society, how programmatic fundraising unlocks bold projects, and why close industry partnerships matter for Switzerland. They revisit lessons from COVID that strengthened autonomy and speed, and they talk about an education model that blends technical excellence with values, leadership, and communication. Mesot is generous about his team, candid about geopolitical headwinds, and clear about the legacy he hopes to leave: faster paths to impact, stronger ties with society, and a university that listens. Inspiring, pragmatic and deeply human.Chapters(00:29) A Day in the Life of ETH President(01:45) Fundraising and External Relations(03:06) Research Initiatives and Achievements(04:19) Collective Intelligence and Collaboration(05:08) COVID-19 Response and Rapid Innovation(07:10) Autonomy and Speed in Research(08:35) Legacy and Future Vision(10:28) Climate Change and Environmental Research(11:12) Educational Values and Competencies(15:20) AI and Space Research(21:27) Challenges and Opportunities Ahead(29:34) Final Thoughts and Farewell

In this episode of We Are ETH, Susan Kish speaks with Tobias Rees, philosopher, and anthropologist, about how science and technology are rewriting our idea of “human”. Tobias explains the shift from seeing the brain as fixed chemistry to a living system that renews and adapts. He explores how the microbiome and climate research dissolve the old boundary between humans and nature. Then he turns to AI as an “in-between” presence: a built system that learns, models, and creates in ways once reserved for living beings. The result is a fresh take on agency, identity, and participation in a world where machines and organisms increasingly overlap. Along the way Rees shares the moments that shaped his thinking, the projects he is pursuing now and the practices that keep his ideas moving. Bold, clear and provocative, this is a fast track into the future of what we are.Chapters:(01:42) The brain: From fixed organ to living system(06:04) The human as a concept(07:43) Ancient philosophy: Who counted as human?(09:54) The birth of universal humanity(12:09) Microbiomes and climate change: Rethinking nature(13:08) AI: Between machine and being(16:03) Tobias's work and philosophy(17:04) Growing up without career expectations(18:03) Reading recommendations and daily practicesbooks and podcasts mentioned in this episode:The Genius Of Trees by Harriet RixPossible by Reid Hoffman and Aria FingerNo Priors by Sarah Guo and Elad GilZEIT Literatur Podcast "Was liest du gerade?"F.A.Z. Literatur Podcast

In this episode of We Are ETH, host Susan Kish talks with Dr. Estefanía Tapias, ETH Zurich alumna and smart-city expert, about building resilient, people-centered cities. Estefanía traces a path from Bogotá to Zurich, through the Future Cities Lab in Singapore, to her current work in Dubai, advising on urban development across the Gulf. She explains how extreme heat reshapes street design, materials, and building operations, why public transport, shading, and walkability still win in hot climates, and how to scale sustainable construction. The conversation explores Saudi Arabia’s NEOM and other build-from-scratch projects, weighing bold vision against practical constraints. Estefanía reflects on “living the problems” before critiquing, how Zurich shaped her systems view, and how data bias and missing perspectives can distort planning models. She closes with advice for young planners: go where change is happening, blend tech with anthropology, and test ideas in real streets.(00:00:48) Introduction: From Colombia to Dubai(00:02:03) The Middle East's Technology Transformation(00:02:34) Combining Urban Planning with Technology(00:03:39) Public Transportation and Urban Design(00:05:22) Falling in Love with Zurich(00:07:07) Working with Visionary Professor Gerhard Schmitt(00:09:13) Understanding Extreme Heat and Climate Adaptation(00:12:41)Living the Problems Before Criticizing(00:13:31)Cities Built from Scratch: Saudi Arabia's Opportunity(00:16:49) NEOM: Successes and Challenges(00:19:08) Advice for Young Urban Planners(00:20:16) What Makes ETH Special(00:21:20) Curiosity About Future Cities(00:22:17) Data Bias and Diverse Perspectives in Technology

Host Susan Kish talks with Roman Engeler, ETH Zurich alumnus and co-founder of Atla, about how modern AI agents make decisions and how to keep them safe, reliable, and fast. Roman explains traces – the step-by-step records of an agent’s reasoning – s and shows how Atla helps teams debug, evaluate and improve agent performance at scale. He shares the move from ETH research to building a company in London, compares startup cultures in Zurich, Palo Alto and London, and reflects on how ETH’s rigor translates into product execution. The conversation covers the promise and risks of growing autonomy, why guardrails matter for real deployments, and ways alumni can give back, including the Founder’s Pledge. Clear, candid and practical, this episode is for anyone shaping the next wave of intelligent systems.Chapters:(00:00:48) Living in London: Startup Scene Comparison(00:03:36) From Research to Startups: Roman's Journey(00:05:33) What Are AI Agents and Traces?(00:07:30) Introducing Atla: Debugging AI Agents(00:09:24) Case Studies: Real-World Applications(00:11:08) Pricing Model and Customer Success(00:13:43) The ETH Difference: Rigor and Freedom(00:16:05) Founder's Pledge: Giving Back to ETH(00:18:21) The Future of AI: Progress and Predictions(00:21:42) Advice for Future AI Students(00:23:42) Giving Back: Scholarships and Support(00:25:19) Personal Questions: Growing Up and Early Dreams(00:26:03) Current Reading: Biographies and AI Safety(00:28:34) Favorite Zurich Spot and Closing

In this episode of We Are ETH, host Susan Kish sits down with ETH alumni Sue Tobler (physics) and Remo Gisi (computer science). They are the cofounders of Tastelab, a culinary studio that turns algorithms and physics into unforgettable plant based dining. Sue and Remo share how they moved from corporate careers to entrepreneurship and how they use data analysis, sensory testing, and event storytelling to design dishes where science amplifies joy. They explain their approach to algorithmic recipe development, texture and heat transfer informed by physics, and a pragmatic view of sustainability that showcases what is possible rather than prescribing limits. Along the way they reflect on lessons in negotiation, balancing creativity and constraints, and building a business that finds the sweet spot between precision and play. From pop up gastronomy to bespoke experiences, Tastelab shows that the future of food can be deliciously data driven and truly memorable.books mentioned in the podcast:Book of ideas (Sue)https://www.amazon.com/Rel%C3%A6-Ideas-Christian-F-Puglisi/dp/1607746492Goliath's Curse (Remo)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goliath%27s_Curse(00:59) The Passion for Food(02:48) Cooking as Science(06:43) Creating Memorable Experiences(11:38) Sustainability in Culinary Arts(16:46) The Journey to Taste Lab(28:08) Advice for Aspiring Innovators(30:00) Closing Thoughts and Reflections