Last Week in AI The Pioneers of Modern AI with Cade Metz, author of "Genius Makers"
Apr 12, 2021
Cade Metz, a New York Times reporter and author of "Genius Makers," dives into the intriguing world of AI pioneers. He shares humorous anecdotes about key figures like Jeff Hinton, revealing the unexpected personalities driving innovation. The conversation also tackles Silicon Valley's competitive landscape and how companies must adapt or risk obsolescence. Metz discusses the collaborative nature of AI development while reflecting on the ethical dilemmas and biases that permeate the field, highlighting the delicate balance between corporate goals and idealism.
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Cade Metz Joins Wired
- Cade Metz joined Wired magazine around 2011-2012.
- This coincided with a resurgence of neural networks, marked by Jeff Hinton's AlexNet paper in 2012.
Hinton's Job Hunt
- Jeff Hinton struggled to find a job in the UK due to his focus on neural networks.
- He eventually found a position in San Diego, highlighting the differing research climates.
Hinton Moves to Canada
- Jeff Hinton left the US for Canada due to ethical concerns about DOD funding during the Reagan era.
- This inadvertently established Toronto as a hub for neural network research.
