In this episode, Jeff Pennington steps out of the library and into a metal shop in Brooklyn, NY, USA to talk with Stephan von Muehlen, the co-founder and former CEO of high-end coffee machine manufacturer Poursteady. This conversation is a masterclass in how AI is moving from the digital screen to the physical world, helping a domestic manufacturing company navigate global supply chains and complex physics.
Jeff and Stephan explore the generational shift happening in manufacturing. We have moved from the "shop class" era to the "Arduino and 3D printing" era. Much like the Printing Press moment described in the book, this is a democratization of expertise. Stephan shares how a smart employee—armed with curiosity and an LLM—got a CNC router up and running in just two days by simply being "unafraid" to use AI for every step.
One of the most powerful moments in this interview relates back to the book's core philosophy of Augmented Intelligence. Stephan describes a years-long technical hurdle regarding "laminar flow" (perfectly smooth water flow) in their coffee machines.
The Book Connection: In Chapter 2, Jeff talks about AI as a co-pilot.
The Real-World Result: Stephan used ChatGPT to perform complex fluid dynamics math, research material science, and locate a specific American tubing manufacturer. He moved a "blue-sky" idea to a physical prototype in a fraction of the time it would have taken to find and hire a specialized fluid dynamics engineer.
If you enjoyed this interview, the book provides the foundational frameworks to do exactly what Stephan did:
The "Gift of Fear": Learn how to navigate the "stupidity" of inflation and broken supply chains by using AI to "fight fire with fire."
Human Agency: Stephan's story proves that the "Human-in-the-loop" isn't just a theory—it's how a small business in Brooklyn competes in a global market.
Non-Technical Literacy: You'll see that you don't need to be a "math person" to solve physics problems if you know how to "teach the machine" your specific constraints. Constrained problems are the best problems!
Stephan's journey offers a roadmap for any small business owner or "maker" looking to scale their expertise:
1. Identify Your TRL (Technology Readiness Level):
TRL 1-3: Use AI for "blue-sky" research and prototyping. (e.g., Stephan's laminar flow math).
TRL 4-6: Use AI to help draft user guides or safety protocols for in-house machinery.
TRL 7-10: Use AI to optimize supply chains or find domestic vendors when international systems break.
2. The "Teach a Person to Fish" Strategy:
Don't wait for the "expert" to show up. Use LLMs to help your current team cross-train on technical equipment (like CNC routers or 3D printers).
3. Move from Manual to Digital-Physical:
If a system is broken (like expensive parts from overseas), use AI to help you redesign for in-house 3D printing using advanced materials like carbon fiber filament.
Jeff Pennington: Veteran data scientist (Ask Jeeves, Gene Logic, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) and author of You Teach the Machines.
Stephan von Muehlen: Founder, designer, builder, and Director of Product & Engineering at Poursteady.
To get the deeper "why" behind the democratization of expertise and the shift in knowledge work, I highly recommend checking out the book:
Audiobook: Audible | Amazon | Apple Books | Google Play
Print & eBook: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
For more resources and to join the community, visit youteachthemachines.com.
