Who is Lex Fridman: The Host Behind PM Modi’s Upcoming Podcast

16th March 2025 at 9:37 AM

2 minutes read

New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to feature in a three-hour-long podcast with US-based artificial intelligence (AI) researcher and podcaster Lex Fridman, scheduled for release on Sunday. The Prime Minister described the upcoming conversation as “fascinating,” hinting at discussions spanning his early life, time spent in the Himalayas, and his journey in public service.Lex Fridman, a computer scientist and AI expert with Russian roots, is currently affiliated with the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, USA. At MIT, his research is primarily focused on the intricate field of human-robot interaction.Born in 1983 in what is now Tajikistan, Fridman spent his formative years in Moscow during the final era of the Soviet Union. His family later made the move to the United States when he was a child.

Fridman’s academic journey began at Drexel University in Philadelphia, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. It was during his time at Drexel that his passion for AI and machine learning began to ignite. He continued his education at the same institution, obtaining both a Master’s and a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering, with his research centering on human-centered AI and machine learning applications.

It was indeed a fascinating conversation with @lexfridman, covering diverse topics including reminiscing about my childhood, the years in the Himalayas and the journey in public life.

Do tune in and be a part of this dialogue! https://t.co/QaJ04qi1TD
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 15, 2025

Following his doctoral studies, Fridman joined MIT, where he immersed himself in the world of autonomous vehicles. His work involved pioneering projects at the intersection of AI, robotics, and human behavior. Specifically, his research explored the development of systems capable of interpreting and forecasting human actions, particularly in the context of self-driving cars. He delved into how AI could analyze complex human behaviors and expressions to improve real-time decision-making in autonomous driving scenarios.

A significant moment in Fridman’s career came in 2019 when tech mogul Elon Musk publicly praised his MIT study, which indicated that drivers remained attentive while using Tesla’s semi-autonomous driving system. This recognition further solidified Fridman’s standing in the AI and robotics community.

Fridman also briefly worked at Google, where he pursued research on AI-powered identity authentication, before ultimately deciding to focus on independent research endeavors.In 2018, he launched the Lex Fridman Podcast (originally named the Artificial Intelligence Podcast), which rapidly garnered a substantial audience. The podcast is known for its in-depth and wide-ranging conversations with experts from diverse fields, including AI, robotics, neuroscience, philosophy, and economics.

The podcast boasts an impressive list of past guests, including prominent figures such as former US President Donald Trump, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, renowned public intellectual Noam Chomsky, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, celebrated author Yuval Noah Harari, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, among many others.

Beyond his academic and podcasting achievements, Fridman maintains a significant presence on social media platforms, boasting over 4.5 million subscribers on YouTube, 1.4 million followers on Instagram, and 4.2 million followers on Twitter (now X), along with a strong following on other platforms. His upcoming conversation with Prime Minister Modi is already generating considerable buzz and anticipation.