Illuminating Discovery Hub
Crossroads of Ideas: Quantum Frontiers
Discovery Building 330 North Orchard Street, Orchard View Room, Madison, WI, United StatesPresented in celebration of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.Quantum science might sound like it belongs in the lab or a science fiction novel, but its impact is already woven into our daily lives—from the technology in our phones to the future of computing and medicine. Join the Wisconsin Quantum Institute’s Aws Albarghouthi (Computer Science) and Matthew Otten (Physics) for a moderated discussion with Katerina Moloni, exploring the fascinating science of the quantum world and why understanding it matters for all of us. This Crossroads of Ideas conversation will pull back the curtain on quantum science, revealing [...]
Crossroads of Ideas: How Failure Fuels Innovation
Discovery Building 330 North Orchard Street, Orchard View Room, Madison, WI, United StatesPart I in our Productive Failure Mini-Series
Crossroads of Ideas: The Upside of AI Failure
Discovery Building 330 North Orchard Street, Orchard View Room, Madison, WI, United StatesWhat failure in AI can teach us, and how it can inspire innovation, critical thinking, and resilience.Failure is part of progress, especially in the fast-moving field of artificial intelligence. This Crossroads of Ideas event, part of our three-part mini-series on “productive failure,” brings together David Fields (UW-Madison Department of East Asian Studies) and Rob Nowak (UW-Madison Computer, Data & Information Sciences) to explore what happens when AI technology falls short. From real-world research that didn’t go as planned to the broader implications for society, this conversation highlights how failures can deepen our understanding, shape future innovation, and help us navigate technology’s [...]
SoundWaves: Macro Scale
Hamel Music Center 740 University Avenue, Madison, WI, United StatesThis academic year, SoundWaves is exploring scales. In this second edition, we will be zooming out to the macro scale!
Crossroads of Ideas: When Antibiotics Fail
Discovery Building 330 North Orchard Street, Orchard View Room, Madison, WI, United StatesHow do we manage when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines? What are our options?
SoundWaves: Astronomical Scale
Hamel Music Center 740 University Avenue, Madison, WI, United StatesThis academic year, SoundWaves is exploring scales. In this final edition, we will be zooming WAY out to the Astronomical scale!
