We Are ETH

• Redefining the Human: Tobias Rees on AI, Microbiomes, and the New Brain

  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

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  21:52
• Smart Cities, Hot Climates: How Estefanía Tapias is turning research and experience into real cities

  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

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  24:55
• Debugging AI Agents at Scale: Roman Engeler on Traces, Guardrails & Atla

  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

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• From Physics to Flavor: Sue Tobler & Remo Gisi’s Tastelab Revolution

  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

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• From ETH Zurich to ANYbotics: Péter Fankhauser on Building the Future of Robots

  In this episode of We Are ETH, host Susan Kish talks with Péter Fankhauser, CEO and co-founder of ANYbotics, about his journey from an ETH Zurich spinoff to leading one of the world’s most exciting robotics companies. Péter shares how his fascination with robots turned into a global business, the real-world challenges of scaling deep-tech innovation, and why combining AI with robotics is transforming industries. From oil and gas inspections to autonomous machines designed for complex and dangerous tasks, ANYbotics is showing how robots can take on work once thought impossible – while deliberately steering clear of military applications. Along the way, Péter offers candid advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: get out of the lab, listen to your customers, and embrace leadership that goes beyond engineering. This episode is a front-row seat to the future of robotics, and to the mindset that makes it possible.Books mentioned in this episode:The Hard Things About The Hard Things - Ben Horowitzhttps://www.amazon.de/Hard-Thing-About-Things-Building/dp/0062273205Build - Tony Fadellhttps://www.amazon.com/Build/dp/1787634108Chapters:(00:43) Peter Fankhauser's Journey into Robotics(01:23) The Focus Project at ETH Zurich(02:17) Building the Inverted Pendulum Robot(03:31) The Tipping Point in Robotics(04:52) Founding Anybotics and Embracing AI(06:03) Funding and Scaling Anybotics(08:23) Applications of Robotics in Industry(11:34) Ethical Considerations and Future of Robotics(19:47)Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs(22:19) Closing Thoughts and Reflections

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