The latest episode of the Notre Dame Stories podcast explores Astrophysicist and Notre Dame Professor Grant Mathews' research into the science behind the Star of Bethlehem, so we decided to ask students and staff what they think it was.Want to know the answer? Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/ANJr8MVyhgY

It’s a story so familiar to many that you may not even realize there’s more to be discovered. The Bible describes an event that led so-called wise men to Jesus.Scripture calls it a star, but what was it really? That’s the question Grant Mathews, director of the Center for Astrophysics at Notre Dame, set out to answer. He believes the Christmas star was actually a planetary alignment. He shares his research with us for this episode of Notre Dame Stories.------ Show links: Royal Beauty Bright: https://www.nd.edu/stories/royal-beauty-bright/ Subscribe: https://link.chtbl.com/notredamestories Episode page: https://stories.nd.edu/podcasts/what-was-the-christmas-star-2/------ Notre Dame Stories is the official podcast of the University of Notre Dame. It was created by the Office of Public Affairs and Communications. Written and produced by Andy Fuller with content coordination from Staci Stickovich, edited by Michael Wiens, and videography by Tony Fuller and Zach Dudka. Original music is by Alex Mansour. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

It’s a story so familiar to many that you may not even realize there’s more to be discovered. The Bible describes an event that led so-called wise men to Jesus.Scripture calls it a star, but what was it really? That’s the question Grant Mathews, director of the Center for Astrophysics at Notre Dame, set out to answer. He believes the Christmas star was actually a planetary alignment. He shares his research with us for this episode of Notre Dame Stories.----- Show links: • Watch on YouTube (https://youtu.be/ANJr8MVyhgY) • Episode page (https://stories.nd.edu/podcasts/what-was-the-christmas-star-2/) • Royal Beauty Bright (https://www.nd.edu/stories/royal-beauty-bright/) ----- Notre Dame Stories is the official podcast of the University of Notre Dame.It was created by the Office of Public Affairs and Communications and hosted by Jenna Liberto with Executive Producer Andy Fuller. It was produced by Jenna Liberto, Josh Long, and Staci Stickovich. Videography was done by Zach Dudka, Josh Long, Tony Fuller, and Michael Wiens. Original music was provided by Alex Mansour. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Settle in for a cozy crackling fire in the 1842 Club in Notre Dame's Stadium.Need a subtle-background for a Christmas party? Some white noise to study? Or some ASMR as you wrap holiday presents? Put on this Yule log and enjoy guest appearances from some of our favorite campus figures.

In this episode of Notre Dame Stories, Nitesh Chawla, Founding Director of the Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society, discusses the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. Amid growing concerns about AI’s societal impacts, Chawla emphasizes a proactive and inclusive approach to leveraging this technology for good. From addressing biases in AI systems to creating global solutions for healthcare and poverty, his work exemplifies Notre Dame’s mission to advance the human condition through interdisciplinary collaboration.He also discusses how Notre Dame’s holistic educational approach empowers students to use data and AI ethically and responsibly to tackle complex global challenges.Listen to discover how Notre Dame is driving innovation in data and science to create meaningful societal impact and subscribe to Notre Dame Stories wherever you get your podcasts.--------- Show Links Subscribe: https://link.chtbl.com/notredamestories Episode page: https://stories.nd.edu/podcasts/ai-for-the-common-good/ Strategic Framework: https://strategicframework.nd.edu/notre-dame-2033-a-strategic-framework/ Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society: https://lucyinstitute.nd.edu/ -------- Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:19 Nitesh Chawla shares his Notre Dame story 02:53 Nitesh Chawla talks about why he's optimistic about AI's future potential 04:42 Nitesh Chawla explains why we need to be inclusive in how we think about AI 06:43 Nitesh Chawla talks about his research using AI to track chemotherapy complications 09:21 Jenna and Nitesh Chawla discuss how AI has positively impacted humans 11:36 Nitesh Chawla shares how the societal and scholarly impact of AI fits in Notre Dame's Mission 12:48 Nitesh Chawla talks about how Notre Dame's holistic education helps students tackle important societal issues 14:36 Nitesh Chawla discusses how the Lucy Family Institute uses data and AI to address some of societies most vexing problems 16:32 Nitesh Chawla explains how Notre Dame's strategic framework guides the Lucy Family Institute's research 24:08 Jenna and Nitesh Chawla discuss what it's like working at Notre Dame 27:47 Nitesh Chawla shares the driving force behind Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society's growth 28:47 Jenna asks Nitesh Chawla what he hopes his work in data and AI will achieve for society 30:57 Nitesh Chawla shares why Notre Dame is different from other private universities 32:15 Lightning round: Jenna asks Nitesh Chawla three questions about research, data, and AI -------- Credits Notre Dame Stories is the official podcast of the University of Notre Dame. It was created by the Office of Public Affairs and Communications and hosted by Jenna Liberto with Executive Producer Andy Fuller. It was produced by Jenna Liberto, Josh Long, and Staci Stickovich. Videography was done by Zach Dudka, Josh Long, Tony Fuller, and Michael Wiens. Original music was provided by Alex Mansour.

In this episode of Notre Dame Stories, Nitesh Chawla, Founding Director of the Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society (https://niteshchawla.nd.edu/) , discusses the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. Amid growing concerns about AI’s societal impacts, Chawla emphasizes a proactive and inclusive approach to leveraging this technology for good. From addressing biases in AI systems to creating global solutions for healthcare and poverty, his work exemplifies Notre Dame’s mission to advance the human condition through interdisciplinary collaboration.He also discusses how Notre Dame’s holistic educational approach empowers students to use data and AI ethically and responsibly to tackle complex global challenges.Listen to discover how Notre Dame is driving innovation in data and science to create meaningful societal impact.Show links: • Watch on YouTube (https://youtu.be/Z_pao2QROjA?si=_JioFeS8TSXzLs-w) • Episode page (https://stories.nd.edu/podcasts/ai-for-the-common-good/) • Notre Dame Strategic Framework (https://strategicframework.nd.edu/notre-dame-2033-a-strategic-framework/) • Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society (https://lucyinstitute.nd.edu/) • Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez study (https://news.nd.edu/news/researchers-use-ai-to-track-chemotherapy-complications-help-families-fighting-pediatric-cancer/)-----Notre Dame Stories is the official podcast of the University of Notre Dame. It was created by the Office of Public Affairs and Communications and hosted by Jenna Liberto with Executive Producer Andy Fuller. It was produced by Jenna Liberto, Josh Long, and Staci Stickovich. Videography was done by Zach Dudka, Josh Long, Tony Fuller, and Michael Wiens. Original music was provided by Alex Mansour. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.