No Priors: Artificial Intelligence | Technology | Startups

Eric Simons, co-founder and CEO of StackBlitz, shares the journey behind the explosive success of Bolt.new, an AI tool for creating full-stack web applications directly in browsers. He discusses how Bolt empowers non-technical users and fosters a vibrant community around web development. Eric also highlights the evolution of no-code tools and their impact on developers. Amid the tech talk, he provides amusing anecdotes from his unconventional path in Silicon Valley and balances his entrepreneurial life with personal challenges, including training for an Ironman.

Aidan Gomez, cofounder and CEO of Cohere, shares his journey from a rural Canadian background to the forefront of AI innovation. He discusses his role in co-authoring the groundbreaking paper 'Attention is All You Need' and how it shaped his mission at Cohere. The conversation dives into the challenges enterprises face in adopting AI, including build vs. buy strategies and common pitfalls. Aidan also offers insights into the future of Artificial General Intelligence and the hurdles large language models encounter in predictive tasks.

Guests Thomas Hubert and Rishi Mehta from DeepMind's AlphaProof team reveal how their AI system recently earned a silver medal in the International Mathematical Olympiad. They discuss AlphaProof's groundbreaking approach to mathematical reasoning, its challenges in scaling, and the balance between human insight and machine learning. The duo also explores the motivations behind AI's role in math, its practical applications, and the potential for enhanced collaboration in the field, all while offering advice for aspiring mathematicians.

Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, shares insights into the company's explosive growth and the AI revolution reshaping data centers. He discusses their ambitious 10-year infrastructure plans and the impact of innovations like NVLink on performance. Huang emphasizes the transformative role of AI in scientific discovery and the future of digital employees. With a focus on challenges in scaling AI chip design, he envisions a world where advanced AI capabilities enhance collaboration and drive groundbreaking advancements in various industries.

Tarek Mansour, CEO of Kalshi and expert in regulated financial exchanges, discusses the groundbreaking legalization of election betting in the U.S. He dives into the ethical implications of trading on elections and compares prediction markets to traditional polls, emphasizing their accuracy in forecasting significant events. Tarek also reveals insights about the psychology of betting and the evolution of futures markets. Listeners get a firsthand experience when Sarah places a live election bet, exploring the innovative world of prediction markets.

Dmitri Dolgov, Co-CEO of Waymo and a pioneer in self-driving technology, discusses the remarkable journey of autonomous vehicles. He shares insights on technological breakthroughs that led to Waymo’s sixth generation of driverless cars. The conversation touches on scaling challenges in cities like Phoenix and San Francisco and the overall impact of autonomous driving on urban mobility and car ownership. Dmitri also addresses safety evaluations and the regulatory landscape necessary for fostering public trust in self-driving technology.

AI is revolutionizing gaming with intelligent NPCs and exciting game mechanics that enhance player interactions. Nobel Prizes are now being awarded to AI researchers, signaling a new era in scientific discovery. The discussion highlights the implications of AI in personal relationships, with the emergence of romantic connections with AI. Recent advancements, like OpenAI's O1 model and Google’s NotebookLM, raise questions about which jobs and companies will thrive or struggle amid these technological shifts. The future of human interaction faces profound changes as technology evolves.

Ankur Goyal, the founder and CEO of Braintrust and former VP of Engineering at SingleStore, discusses the fascinating dynamics of AI development. He highlights trends in AI tooling and the rise of open-source models, emphasizing their slow adoption in enterprises. Ankur also shares insights on building resilient AI products, the importance of a startup’s early customer base, and the evolving role of CEOs in tech—balancing coding with leadership. His perspective on the future of AI integration is equally intriguing and thought-provoking.

Lina Khan, the dynamic Chair of the FTC, is shaking up tech regulation with her bold antitrust initiatives. She reveals her approach to navigating mergers and acquisitions in the booming AI sector, advocating for fairness and competition. Khan also discusses the pressing issue of banning non-compete clauses to empower workers. Delving into the challenges of leading a government agency, she highlights the scarcity of young leaders and the need for fresh perspectives in policy-making. Expect insights that could redefine tech's future!

Matt MacInnis, COO of Rippling, a leading workforce management platform, introduces Talent Signal, an AI-driven tool transforming employee performance evaluations. He discusses how early adopters gain a competitive edge through data integration, emphasizing the importance of objective assessments over traditional reviews. The conversation also highlights the challenges of merging AI with human judgment and the ethical considerations necessary for successful implementation in organizations eager for innovation.