The School of Psychology, led by Professor and Chair Tansu Celikel, has launched a new podcast series titled “Deep Dive into Brain and Behavior” — or D2B2. This cutting-edge podcast is created almost entirely by artificial intelligence (AI), and will spotlight the approximately 150 research publications authored by the School’s experts each year.
Each episode of D2B2 will guide listeners through a recently published paper, distilling complex scientific findings into clear, engaging, easy-to-understand content. The goal is to make the latest in psychology and neuroscience more accessible to students, researchers, and anyone else who is simply curious about how the brain works. Celikel believes this is key to bridging the gap between science and the public. “Scientific papers are full of jargon and can be difficult to understand,” he says. “We want to use this podcast to reach a wider audience.”
What makes D2B2 particularly innovative is its use of AI to generate nearly all of its content. The episodes are structured with minimal human input using a generative AI developed by Google called NotebookLM. It is a relatively new tool that simplifies research papers and creates a dialogue between an AI-generated host and reporter. However, before episodes air, the original research authors carefully review the content to ensure accuracy.
The podcast is produced at virtually no cost and is available to the public for free. “Imagine a future where every scientific publication is freely accessible, not behind a paywall,” Celikel says. “And, imagine it is presented in a way that appeals to all levels of expertise — from novices to experts — from teenagers to seasoned practitioners.” He also hopes it will improve the education system by making scientific information more readily available to anyone who wants to learn.
Celikel believes the podcast will enhance the School’s visibility and provide a platform for showcasing its researchers and research opportunities. He also views it as a valuable tool for keeping alumni connected with the School.
Deep Dive into Brain and Behavior is available on the School’s YouTube channel, with new episodes released every two weeks. The podcast will also soon be available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
“Don’t miss out — subscribe now to stay updated on the latest discoveries!” Celikel says.