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Emmett Shear

Co-founder of Justin.tv and Twitch, and founder of AI startup Softmax. Discusses Softmax, which aims to discover principles of alignment and scale them for humanity.

Top 10 podcasts with Emmett Shear

Ranked by the Snipd community
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210 snips
Sep 11, 2023 • 1h 18min

Emmett Shear: Life After Twitch, Jeff Bezos Lessons & AI Doomsday Odds

Emmett Shear, former CEO and co-founder of Twitch, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its potential threats. He emphasizes the significance of understanding user needs and presents a straightforward framework for problem-solving. Emmett highlights the impact of small yet powerful ideas, while also reflecting on valuable lessons from Silicon Valley legends like Paul Graham. Their conversation delves into whether Twitch's success was luck or skill, and whether he'll embark on building another unicorn.
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84 snips
Jun 12, 2024 • 1h 20min

Worldviews, altruism, and embracing variance (with Emmett Shear)

Emmett Shear, entrepreneur and co-founder of Twitch, shares his unique perspective on worldviews versus ideologies, emphasizing the nuances in understanding complex systems. He tackles the potential for improving democracy through innovative ideas like 'no confidence' votes and critiques conventional governance approaches. Shear also explores the vital role of local knowledge in altruism, advocating for community-driven solutions. Lastly, he discusses startup culture, highlighting the importance of discerning genuine opportunities from mere trends.
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79 snips
Sep 11, 2025 • 1h 27min

AI alignment, with Emmett Shear

Emmett Shear, co-founder of Twitch and former interim CEO of OpenAI, now leads Softmax AI alignment. He critiques traditional AI safety methods that rely on control, advocating for an 'organic alignment' approach where AI systems learn to care for their communities. The discussion dives into AI's rapid advancements, the contrast between convergence and discernment learning, and the challenges of aligning AI with human values. Shear emphasizes the need for flexibility in AI goals and the importance of context in developing responsible technologies.
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26 snips
Jun 24, 2025 • 1h 53min

Emmett Shear (OpenAI Ex-Interim-CEO)'s New “Softmax” AI Alignment Plan — Is It Legit?

Emmett Shear, cofounder and former CEO of Twitch, dives deep into his new AI alignment venture, Softmax. He introduces the concept of 'organic alignment,' comparing AI growth to biological systems nurtured within communities. The dialogue explores the evolution of morality, discussing how kin selection influences AI's ethical development. Emmett critiques traditional methods while advocating for cooperation in multi-agent reinforcement learning, emphasizing storytelling's impact on AI behavior and urging a cautious approach towards superintelligence.
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22 snips
Jun 24, 2025 • 3h 48min

Hims & Hers Stock Drops Over 30%, All-In Launches Ultra Premium Tequila | Crémieux, Clément Delangue, Emmett Shear, Brendan Foody, Sam Schwager, Zach Lloyd, Dara Ladjevardian, Amjad Masad, Angus Muffatti

Clément Delangue, CEO of Hugging Face, discusses how democratizing AI is essential for preventing power concentration in tech. Emmett Shear delves into his startup Softmax's mission to ensure AI aligns with humanity's needs. Zach Lloyd unveils Warp 2.0, an innovative AI-driven development environment. Dara Ladjevardian shares insights on Delphi's $16 million funding for digital cloning tech. Angus Muffatti talks about revolutionizing agriculture with AI and climate data, highlighting the transformative potential of technology in various sectors.
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20 snips
Jul 18, 2022 • 1h 22min

Twitch: Emmett Shear

Emmett Shear, co-founder and CEO of Twitch, shares his fascinating journey from the early days of Justin.tv to transforming it into a gaming giant. He discusses the skepticism surrounding gaming as a mainstream entertainment option and how he built a thriving community by listening to streamer needs. Shear reflects on the challenges faced by early streamers, including safety issues and funding struggles. He also highlights the significant role of community in driving Twitch's success, leading to its lucrative acquisition by Amazon.
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11 snips
Nov 26, 2020 • 53min

Emmett Shear - The New Language of the Internet – [Founder’s Field Guide, EP.9]

Emmett Shear, founder and CEO of Twitch, delves into the transformative journey of his platform from a reality TV show to a gaming titan under Amazon. He reveals how Twitch crafts new digital languages with emotes, fostering unique connections among users. Emmett discusses the importance of picking a target audience early for startup success, and highlights the emotional ties that subscription models form between streamers and fans. He emphasizes the evolving landscape of interactive entertainment and the need for community engagement in content creation.
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8 snips
Jul 18, 2025 • 1h 31min

Emmett Shear - AGI as "Another Kind of Cell" in the Tissue of Life (Worthy Successor, Episode 11)

In a thought-provoking dialogue, Emmett Shear, CEO of SoftMax and co-founder of Twitch, shares his insights on AGI as a new kind of living cell within the ecosystem of intelligence. He dives into the moral obligations we have towards future digital minds and the balance between safety and innovation. The conversation tackles profound questions about self-identity, emotions in AI, and the evolving nature of consciousness. Emmett also emphasizes the importance of aligning AI with human values to navigate the complexities of our technological future.
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Oct 30, 2024 • 27min

Flashback: How to create engaging content with Emmett Shear of Twitch

Emmett Shear, Co-founder and CEO of Twitch, shares fascinating insights from his journey in building one of the largest live streaming platforms. He discusses the engineering challenges in scaling live video and the rise of 'micro-patronage' in the creator economy. Emmett highlights how Twitch combats loneliness by fostering community and engagement among users. He also reflects on the evolution from Justin.tv to Twitch, emphasizing the importance of passion and leadership skills in sustaining a vibrant company culture.
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Feb 21, 2020 • 35min

20VC: Twitch Founder & CEO Emmett Shear on When To Persist vs When To Give Up For Entrepreneurs, The Fundamental Tension When Scaling Orgs and How To Optimise Them & How The Role of CEO Fundamentally Changes with Scale

Emmett Shear, co-founder and CEO of Twitch, shares his journey from Kiko to creating a gaming empire. He intriguingly compares starting a startup to the myth of Sisyphus, discussing when to persist or pivot. Shear dives into the complexities of scaling organizations, emphasizing the balance between centralization and decentralization and the challenges of restructurings. He also reflects on the evolving role of a CEO, highlighting the importance of communication and authentic leadership as companies expand.

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