History of Lex Fridman in Timeline
Lex Fridman is an American computer scientist and podcaster known for hosting the Lex Fridman Podcast since 2018. His podcast features long-form conversations with diverse guests from science, technology, sports, and politics. He explores a wide range of topics, often focusing on artificial intelligence, consciousness, philosophy, and the human condition. Fridman's podcast is recognized for its in-depth interviews and intellectual discussions.
August 1983: Lex Fridman's Birth
In August 1983, Alexey Alexandrovich Fridman, known as Lex Fridman, was born.
2010: Graduation from Drexel University
In 2010, Lex Fridman obtained B.S. and M.S. degrees in computer science from Drexel University.
2014: PhD Completion
In 2014, Lex Fridman completed his Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering at Drexel University, with his dissertation focusing on active authentication using behavioral biometrics.
2014: Hired by Google
In 2014, Lex Fridman was hired by Google to continue his dissertation work on AI for identity authentication, but left after six months.
2015: Move to MIT AgeLab
In 2015, Lex Fridman moved to MIT's AgeLab to study driver behavior using psychology and big-data analytics.
2018: Podcast Launch
In 2018, Lex Fridman began his podcast, initially named The Artificial Intelligence Podcast.
2018: Launch of the Lex Fridman Podcast
In 2018, Lex Fridman started his podcast, interviewing figures in science, technology, sports, and politics.
2019: Rise to Prominence
In 2019, Lex Fridman gained prominence after Elon Musk praised his MIT study on Tesla's semi-autonomous driving system, though the study faced criticism and was not peer-reviewed. That year, he also transitioned to an unpaid role at MIT AgeLab.
2019: Tesla Autopilot Study and Controversy
In 2019, Lex Fridman published a non-peer-reviewed study on Tesla Autopilot, which was criticized for its methodology and small sample size. Following the study, he was interviewed by Elon Musk, and his podcast viewership increased.
2020: Podcast Name Change
In 2020, The Artificial Intelligence Podcast was renamed The Lex Fridman Podcast.
October 2022: Kanye West Podcast Appearance
In October 2022, Kanye West appeared on Lex Fridman's podcast, making controversial statements about the Holocaust, abortion, and Jewish people.
2022: Research Scientist at MIT LIDS
As of 2022, Lex Fridman is working as a research scientist at the MIT Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems (LIDS).
2023: Thanksgiving with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner
In 2023, Lex Fridman spent Thanksgiving with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, watching The Godfather with them.
2023: Failure to Challenge Claims on Podcast
In 2023, it was argued that Lex Fridman failed to challenge claims made by Benjamin Netanyahu on his podcast.
2023: Podcast Following Among Tech Elite
In 2023, it was noted that Lex Fridman's podcast has a following among the tech elite, and he is considered a "softball interviewer".
February 2024: Residency in Texas
As of February 2024, Lex Fridman resides in Texas but remains affiliated with MIT, still receiving payment and visiting the campus regularly.
2024: Donald Trump Interview and Defense of Joe Rogan
In 2024, during an interview with Donald Trump, Lex Fridman allowed false claims to go unchallenged, while defending Joe Rogan.
2024: Podcast as Tech CEO-Friendly Alternative
In 2024, it was commented that Lex Fridman's podcast is seen by tech CEOs as a friendlier alternative to traditional journalism.
2024: Podcast Subscriber Count
In 2024, it was reported that Lex Fridman's podcast had attracted 3.6 million subscribers.
