This episode was recorded live at Manifest 2026. Razib Khan is a prominent writer, population geneticist, and podcaster. He is best known for his extensive deep-dives into human evolutionary history, consumer genomics, culture, and ancient DNA.

https://x.com/razibkhan

https://x.com/razibkhan?lang=en

Chapter Markers:

(00:00) - Razib Khan at Manifest 2026: Genetic Discoveries, AI, and Academia
(01:18) - Manifest Q&A Kickoff
(02:43) - Yamnaya: Ancient DNA Mysteries
(15:01) - Yamnaya: Y Chromosome Conquests
(22:10) - Embryo Screening and AI
(42:15) - Conformity and Tenure
(46:34) - Academia: Reforms
(53:55) - Academia: Ideological Capture and Funding
(58:19) - Controversies and Closing Q&A

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Steve Hsu is Professor of Theoretical Physics and of Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering at Michigan State University. Previously, he was Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation at MSU and Director of the Institute of Theoretical Science at the University of Oregon. Hsu is a startup founder (SuperFocus.ai, SafeWeb, Genomic Prediction, Othram) and advisor to venture capital and other investment firms. He was educated at Caltech and Berkeley, was a Harvard Junior Fellow, and has held faculty positions at Yale, the University of Oregon, and MSU. Please send any questions or suggestions to manifold1podcast@gmail.com or Steve on X @hsu_steve.

Razib Khan at Manifest 2026: Genetic Discoveries, AI, and Academia – #114

Manifold

Razib Khan at Manifest 2026: Genetic Discoveries, AI, and Academia – #114