# Episode 93: Robots and AI in the workplace - Matt Beane

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2024-10-11
- Length: 38m
- Episode: 93
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-11-episode-93-robots-and-ai-in-the-workplace-matt-beane
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-ninety-three-matt-beane

## Summary

Matt Beane, an assistant professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, explains that AI and robotics are making novice involvement in work optional, which disrupts the essential expert-novice learning dynamic. He details how this 'novice optional' finding harms the '3 Cs' of skill development—challenge, complexity, and connection—using examples from robotic surgery and knowledge work. Beane also discusses his new company, Skill Bench, which aims to help organizations optimize AI adoption by identifying tasks that must remain human for skill preservation.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-11-episode-93-robots-and-ai-in-the-workplace-matt-beane#t=7) Introduction: Matt Beane and the Novice Optional Finding
- [2:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-11-episode-93-robots-and-ai-in-the-workplace-matt-beane#t=131) Robotic Surgery and the Da Vinci Console Case Study
- [6:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-11-episode-93-robots-and-ai-in-the-workplace-matt-beane#t=395) The Biological and Historical Basis of Apprenticeship
- [11:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-11-episode-93-robots-and-ai-in-the-workplace-matt-beane#t=706) The 3 Cs: Challenge, Complexity, and Connection
- [19:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-11-episode-93-robots-and-ai-in-the-workplace-matt-beane#t=1153) Shadow Learners and Using AI as an Ally
- [25:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-11-episode-93-robots-and-ai-in-the-workplace-matt-beane#t=1551) AI in Advanced Manufacturing and CNC Machines
- [28:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-11-episode-93-robots-and-ai-in-the-workplace-matt-beane#t=1708) Job Loss vs. Reskilling and Augmentation
- [32:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-11-episode-93-robots-and-ai-in-the-workplace-matt-beane#t=1977) Skill Bench: Optimizing AI for Workforce Readiness

## Topics

- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- University of California, Santa Barbara (company)
- Da Vinci surgical robot (product)
- Intuitive Surgical (company)
- Skill Bench (company)
- ChatGPT (product)
- YouTube (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [292: What Manufacturers Can Learn from Silicon Valley: Mechatronics, Startups, and More (LIVE from San Jose, CA)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-06-16-292-what-manufacturers-can-learn-from-silicon-valley-mechatronics-startups-and-m) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [227: Half of Everything Is Wrong](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-12-21-227-half-of-everything-is-wrong) (Embedded.fm)
- [Overcoming Technology Hesitancy with Plus One Robotics CEO Erik Nieves](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-01-25-overcoming-technology-hesitancy-with-plus-one-robotics-ceo-erik-nieves) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [BONUS: A Look Inside the 2022 A3 Business Forum](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-02-22-bonus-a-look-inside-the-2022-a3-business-forum) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [539: My Ai Powered Ergonomic Chair](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2026-09-25-539-my-ai-powered-ergonomic-chair) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-11-episode-93-robots-and-ai-in-the-workplace-matt-beane. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Robot Talk.