IEEE TEMS Radio

TEMS RADIO

Engaging Conversations - Education, Engineering, Management & Technology

Episodes

  1. 12th Episode: AI in Scientific Writing - Revolutionizing or Undermining Scholarship? with Dr. Wynand Lambrechts

    MAR 28

    12th Episode: AI in Scientific Writing - Revolutionizing or Undermining Scholarship? with Dr. Wynand Lambrechts

    Dr. Wynand Lambrechts is an IEEE Senior Member, Principal Electronics Engineer at INCOMAR Aerospace and Defence Systems, and Senior Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg. A Ph.D. graduate in Electronic Engineering from the University of Pretoria, he is the lead author of internationally published books on Moore's Law and millimeter-wave technologies (CRC Press, Springer) and co-authored the IEEE Spectrum commentary "The Challenges and Upsides of Using AI in Scientific Writing" - the centrepiece of this podcast's conversation. Dr. Lambrechts draws on his semiconductor engineering career to argue that large language models represent a categorically different disruption from prior digital transitions: not faster tools for access, but systems that can substitute the act of intellectual formulation itself. He makes a compelling case for Augmented AI - where human judgment and machine capability collaborate - over AI as a replacement for critical thinking, and likens the arms race between generative models and detection tools to electronic warfare, where goalposts shift faster than policy can follow. Drawing on South Africa's higher education context, he offers a Global South perspective on navigating AI ethics under resource constraints. The episode closes with a direct challenge to the next generation: in a world where AI can draft your manuscript, what does career ownership truly mean - and if an AI produces a groundbreaking discovery from human data, who owns the intellectual credit? This episode is essential listening for academic researchers, doctoral students, technology managers, editors, policymakers, and anyone navigating responsible innovation in an AI-accelerated world.  Link to the co-authored IEEE Spectrum commentary: The Challenges and Upsides of Using AI in Scientific Writing — IEEE Spectrum (Feb 2025) Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynand-lambrechts-77b20a25/ Host: Madhusudan Bangalore Nagaraja, IEEE Senior Member, Technical Delivery Manager, eSystems Inc. | PMI Infinity Advisory Committee Contributor | Researcher, Agentic AI Systems | Irving, Texas, USA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madhusudannagaraja/ Produced by: IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society  Please write to us at ieeetemsemail@gmail.com to share your feedback.

    31 min
  2. 11th Episode: From Classroom to Boardroom: Celia Desmond on Engineering Leadership and Career Ownership

    05/12/2025

    11th Episode: From Classroom to Boardroom: Celia Desmond on Engineering Leadership and Career Ownership

    Celia Desmond is President of World Class – Telecommunications, providing telecommunications management training. Celia established and ran the PMO for Echologics. Her team managed all proposals, contracts and project management processes, She has lectured internationally on programs for success in today’s changing environment. As Director at Stentor Resource Center Inc., she was instrumental in establishing governance, culture and service/product development processes. At Bell Canada, Celia provided strategic direction to corporate planners, ran technology/service trials, standardized equipment, and supported large business clients. Celia was 2016-1017 IEEE Division III Director. She has held numerous IEEE positions including, Secretary, IEEE VP – Technical Activities, ComSoc President, IEEE Canada President, VP Technology and Engineering Management Society and Project Director for ComSoc’s Wireless Engineering Certification. Celia holds MSc. Engineering,  B.Sc. Mathematics & Psychology, Ontario Teaching Certificate and PMP certification. Celia has taught kindergarten, high school, and at 5 universities. She is author of 2 Project Management books. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celia-desmond-b92117/ Summary: In this insightful episode of the IEEE Thames podcast, host Jeff Perry sits down with Celia Desmond, a seasoned telecommunications management expert whose career journey spans from teaching kindergarten to leading complex engineering initiatives at Bell Canada. Celia shares her experiences navigating diverse professional roles, offering strategies for managing large-scale projects and transitioning between industry and research environments. Her reflections underscore the vital role of personal initiative, adaptability, and continuous learning in career advancement. Listeners will gain practical guidance on building a career beyond technical expertise—exploring how to cultivate leadership skills, create meaningful professional networks, and thrive in both small and large organizations. Whether you're early in your engineering journey or a seasoned professional, this episode provides valuable lessons on career ownership, project management, and the evolving demands of technology-driven roles. Jeff's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffcperry/ Produced by: IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society  Please write to us at ieeetemsemail@gmail.com to share your feedback.

    32 min
  3. 10th Episode : Augmented AI: Navigating the Future of Technology and 5G/6G with Dr. Saurabh Sinha

    01/15/2025

    10th Episode : Augmented AI: Navigating the Future of Technology and 5G/6G with Dr. Saurabh Sinha

    The podcast features Dr. Saurabh Sinha, a professor and executive dean at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, discussing the role of augmented AI (A2I) in shaping the future of technology, particularly in telecommunications and beyond. Dr. Sinha begins by sharing his experience with the IEEE Technology Prediction Reports from 2022 and 2023, where he observed a shift in AI's impact. Initially seen as a standalone technology, AI has now become integral to various domains, both technological and non-technological. He explains how A2I differs from traditional AI by emphasizing the need to focus on human and societal aspects alongside technological advancements. This approach aligns with the concept of the Fifth Industrial Revolution, where AI is not just about efficiency and speed but also about inclusivity and ethics. Dr. Sinha delves into the role of A2I in telecommunications, particularly with the advent of 5G and 6G. He highlights the importance of integrating AI with ethics and societal values to ensure technology is inclusive and beneficial to all. He also touches on the ethical implications of AI and how A2I could help address biases and other challenges in the development of AI systems. The conversation also explores the role of AI in everyday life, the impact of large language models (LLMs), and the importance of ethically aligned design in shaping AI's future. Dr. Sinha advocates for a balanced approach, where AI serves humanity's broader goals, including achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. In closing, he reflects on IEEE's shift in focus towards "advancing technology for humanity" and expresses hope for a future where technology and human values are intertwined to create a better world. Link to the Original Paper: S. Sinha, J. W. Lambrechts, A. Bimana and A. Ashipala, "Augmented Artificial Intelligence in 5G, 6G, and Beyond: A Quantum Leap," in IEEE Computer, vol. 58, no. 1, pp. 24-32, Jan. 2025, doi: 10.1109/MC.2024.3445532 Produced by: IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society  Please write to us at ieeetemsemail@gmail.com to share your feedback.

    27 min
  4. 8th Episode : Navigating Innovation and AI: Leadership Lessons from Antarctica with Tathagat Varma

    09/20/2024

    8th Episode : Navigating Innovation and AI: Leadership Lessons from Antarctica with Tathagat Varma

    The podcast episode with Tathagat Varma, a senior leader in the technology industry, covers a wide range of topics related to his professional experiences, leadership in innovation, and the role of AI in business.  Tathagat begins by discussing his unique experience in Antarctica, where he spent 16 months as part of an Indian science expedition. He explains how this experience shaped his approach to leadership and problem-solving, particularly the importance of innovation within constraints, which was critical in such a resource-limited environment. He then delves into the difference between creativity and innovation, emphasizing that innovation is about channeling creative ideas to solve real-world problems within specific constraints. He shares how this principle applies to both the Antarctic expedition and corporate environments. On the subject of AI, Tathagat discusses his PhD research, focusing on how businesses can effectively adopt AI technologies. He warns against adopting AI simply because it’s trendy and advocates for aligning AI initiatives with strategic business goals. He also touches on ethical considerations, such as bias and hallucinations in AI systems, and emphasizes the importance of human intervention to ensure AI's safe and ethical use. He introduces the concept of "cognitive collaboration," where humans work alongside intelligent non-human agents, and foresees this as a major shift in the future of work. Tathagat concludes by sharing his vision for the intersection of technology and work, predicting that AI will play a significant role in decision-making processes and that organizations must adapt to work effectively with AI-driven tools. The conversation wraps up with reflections on how companies can prepare for these changes and the importance of education and regulation to ensure the responsible use of AI. Produced by: IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society  Please write to us at ieeetemsemail@gmail.com to share your feedback.

    33 min

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Engaging Conversations - Education, Engineering, Management & Technology