Nu Professor Goes Hollywood

By Kayla Stoner
Monday, February 1, 2010
Viewed 617 times.

A Northwestern engineering professor is teaching Hollywood about robots and artificial intelligence.

Professor Malcolm MacIver is working as a technology consultant for a new SyFy channel TV show called Caprica. The show is a prequel to Battlestar Galactica, and it explains how humans created the robots featured in that series. MacIver has built and developed his own robots, so he helps script writers with technical terms and ensures that the events in the series are possible.

MacIver said he likes that people are learning more about science from the show, but he isn’t ready to give up his research for the Hollywood lifestyle just yet.

"On the contrary, I’m doing exactly what I want," said MacIver. "I’m pursuing my dream right here."

Caprica airs Fridays at 8pm eastern.