

No Priors: Artificial Intelligence | Technology | Startups
Conviction
At this moment of inflection in technology, co-hosts Elad Gil and Sarah Guo talk to the world's leading AI engineers, researchers and founders about the biggest questions: How far away is AGI? What markets are at risk for disruption? How will commerce, culture, and society change? What’s happening in state-of-the-art in research? “No Priors” is your guide to the AI revolution. Email feedback to show@no-priors.com.Sarah Guo is a startup investor and the founder of Conviction, an investment firm purpose-built to serve intelligent software, or "Software 3.0" companies. She spent nearly a decade incubating and investing at venture firm Greylock Partners.Elad Gil is a serial entrepreneur and a startup investor. He was co-founder of Color Health, Mixer Labs (which was acquired by Twitter). He has invested in over 40 companies now worth $1B or more each, and is also author of the High Growth Handbook.
Episodes
Mentioned books

34 snips
Aug 10, 2023 • 24min
Listener Q&A: 2024 Tech Market Predictions, Long Term Implications of Today’s GPU Crunch, and Will AI Agents Bring Us Happiness?
Listeners dive into the fascinating world of AI and technology as expert insights shed light on the 2024 tech market predictions. Discover which companies might soar in valuations and which unicorns could unexpectedly falter. The discussion highlights the implications of the ongoing GPU crunch, affecting many startups. Plus, explore a unique take on happiness through the lens of specialized AI applications, revealing unexpected use cases in the AI landscape.

33 snips
Aug 3, 2023 • 44min
Eradicating Machine Learning Pain Points with Weights & Biases CEO Lukas Biewald
Lukas Biewald, CEO and co-founder of Weights & Biases, previously founded Figure Eight and holds degrees from Stanford. He shares insights on the transformative role of machine learning across industries like gaming, agriculture, and finance. Lukas discusses the evolution of ML engineering, emphasizing the significance of customer feedback for AI founders. He also touches on the necessity for user-friendly tools and the challenges of balancing open-source strategies with developer needs in the fast-paced AI landscape.

45 snips
Jul 27, 2023 • 40min
How Palantir’s AI Bet is Revolutionizing Defense and Beyond, with CTO Shyam Sankar
Shyam Sankar, the Chief Technical Officer of Palantir Technologies, shares insights from his journey as a key figure in the company’s technological evolution. He discusses Palantir's innovative approach to integrating AI in defense, illustrating the real-world applications of large language models. Sankar highlights the significance of private data and dynamic ontologies for effective AI decision-making. He also proposes a shift towards more intuitive AI interfaces, improving user experiences across various sectors while addressing the challenges of trust and data management.

Jul 20, 2023 • 40min
The Timeline for Realistic 4-D: Devi Parikh from Meta on Research Hurdles for Generative AI in Video and Multimodality
Devi Parikh, Research Director in Generative AI at Meta and an Associate Professor at Georgia Tech, dives into the challenges of creating AI-generated videos. She discusses her innovative project, MAV3D, which creates animations from text prompts, and highlights the importance of multimodal inputs for user control. The conversation also touches on the evolution of computer vision techniques and the democratization of creative expression through generative AI. Both exciting advancements and significant research hurdles in the field are explored.

71 snips
Jun 29, 2023 • 52min
Bringing AI to the Data Cloud, with Snowflake's CEO Frank Slootman
Frank Slootman, a three-time CEO known for his dynamic leadership in tech, shares insights on transforming enterprise data management. He discusses the generative AI potential in businesses and clarifies why Snowflake transcends typical data warehousing. The conversation also dives into the evolution of Snowflake, the significance of company culture, and the challenges of migrating to cloud solutions. Slootman emphasizes proactive management strategies and the importance of performance expectations, drawing from his rich personal journey in tech entrepreneurship.

17 snips
Jun 22, 2023 • 40min
What's for Dinner? AI-Driven Commerce with Instacart CEO Fidji Simo
Fidji Simo, CEO of Instacart and co-founder of the Metrodora Institute, shares her journey from France to leading major tech companies. She discusses revolutionizing online grocery shopping with AI, emphasizing natural language processing for enhanced user experiences. Fidji also addresses the mindset shift needed for businesses embracing generative AI, highlighting its transformative potential in various sectors. Additionally, she reflects on her personal experience in healthcare innovation, inspired by a chronic illness, and the critical role of AI in diagnostics and drug development.

50 snips
Jun 15, 2023 • 45min
What happens to Observability If Code is AI-Generated? The Potential for AI in DevOps, with Datadog Co-founder/CEO Olivier Pomel
Olivier Pomel, Co-founder and CEO of Datadog, shares insights from his journey of building a leading observability platform. He discusses the vital role of AI in DevOps, explaining how it can enhance software development and operational efficiency. The conversation delves into Datadog's innovative strategies for acquisitions and their expansion into security. Olivier highlights the significance of large language models for automation and anomaly detection, emphasizing the need for agility in tech to meet diverse customer demands.

15 snips
Jun 8, 2023 • 35min
Listener Q&A: AI Misconceptions, The Reality of Regulation, Infinite Context, Incumbent AI Execution and Startup Ideas
In this insightful discussion, listeners learn about common misconceptions surrounding AI, likening its regulation to nuclear safety. The hosts explore the transformative effects of large language models on traditional business practices, especially in biotech. They tackle the implications of context windows in AI, including innovations and the challenges of managing vast information. The conversation also highlights the competitive landscape between incumbents and emerging startups, revealing how regulation and innovation will shape the future.

21 snips
Jun 1, 2023 • 51min
AI & Defense Technology with Anduril CEO Brian Schimpf
Discover the cutting-edge world of defense technology as Brian Schimpf shares insights on AI, drones, and autonomous vehicles. Hear about his journey from coding at age 12 to founding a next-gen defense company. The discussion includes the integration of large language models to enhance military operations and the importance of human oversight. Explore the evolving relationship between tech firms and the government, and how recent advances in space launch capabilities are reshaping U.S. defense strategies.

50 snips
May 24, 2023 • 55min
Going Full Send on AI, and the (Positive) Impact of AI on Jobs, with Kevin Scott, CTO of Microsoft
Kevin Scott, CTO of Microsoft, shares his inspiring journey from rural Virginia to leading AI strategies at Microsoft. He discusses the transformative partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI, revealing exciting new 'copilots' for their product suite. Kevin predicts a positive future for jobs in creative and physical work, emphasizing the need for responsible AI practices. He also dives into the impact of open-source AI models and how technology can foster equitable solutions in education and healthcare, all while navigating the evolving landscape of AI development.