"The Cognitive Revolution" | AI Builders, Researchers, and Live Player Analysis

Marek Kozlowski leads Poland's AI Lab and spearheads Project PLLuM, focusing on localized language models. He discusses the importance of AI sovereignty through small, culturally adapted models to overcome biases in mainstream AI. Marek highlights challenges with existing English-centric models and the necessity of benchmarks that respect Polish language and culture. He elaborates on the principles of transparency and organic data usage in AI, while addressing the legal constraints that shape model behavior in Europe.

Zixuan Li, Director of Product and Gen AI Strategy at Z.ai, discusses the rapid evolution of AI in China. He shares insights on Z.ai's unique open weights strategy and the cultural factors influencing AI development. Zixuan highlights their GLM 4.6 model and roles in AI use cases, particularly role-playing. The conversation addresses talent competition, global recognition, and challenges around AI safety and job impacts. He emphasizes Z.ai's swift model release process, often shipping in hours, showcasing their commitment to innovation and transparency.

Rune Kvist and Rajiv Dattani, co-founders of the AI Underwriting Company, dive into the future of AI adoption through innovative insurance and certification practices. They discuss how certifications and audits create 'AI confidence infrastructure' to manage risks effectively. The duo explores analogies to historical insurance models and emphasizes the role of standards in promoting safer AI deployment. They also address the complexities of pricing and coverage in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, revealing their unique AIUC1 framework aimed at fostering responsible AI governance.

In this discussion, Amanda Calo, founder and CEO of OneMind and former CEO of Sixth Sense, delves into the revolutionary concept of AI 'superhumans' that streamline sales. She explains how AI can enhance human capabilities instead of replacing them, leading to shorter sales cycles and doubled deal sizes. Amanda shares insights on the importance of evolving organizational structures and roles, the significance of human-AI collaboration, and her unique approach to rewarding employees who embrace AI. The conversation highlights a future where technology empowers rather than overwhelms.

In a captivating keynote, Nathan Labenz addresses K-12 educators about the rapid evolution of AI. He emphasizes the balance of excitement and caution surrounding this technology. Key insights include AI's potential to revolutionize education, the risks of cheating, and the automation of traditional jobs. He debunks common misconceptions about AI's capabilities and highlights recent breakthroughs. Nathan urges the necessity of AI literacy for students, urging society to prepare for significant changes in learning and career landscapes.

Sherif Mansour, Head of AI at Atlassian, champions the evolution of AI as a virtual teammate for collaboration, especially catering to non-technical users. He introduces a framework to avoid 'AI Slop' through Taste, Knowledge, and Workflow. The discussion highlights the innovative 'Teamwork Graph' for complex queries and the need for transparency in AI outputs. Sherif emphasizes the shift from workers to architects of AI processes, advocating personalized AI experiences that reflect team dynamics while reshaping enterprise software solutions.

A father shares his journey using AI to support his young son through cancer treatment. He discusses leveraging AI tools like GPT-5 Pro and Claude for analyzing medical data and navigating critical decisions. The transformative power of AI serves as a bedside co-pilot, validating treatment options and crafting personalized care plans. The importance of patient advocacy, urgent care decisions, and the potential for AI in medicine are also highlighted, showcasing a blend of technology and compassion in the healthcare journey.

Guest Nathan Labenz, a product/design-focused AI commentator, emphasizes the importance of crafting a positive vision for AI's future. He explores transformative applications like self-driving cars and personalized education. Labenz discusses the role of fiction in shaping societal attitudes toward AI and highlights underrated uses of AI in daily life. Diving into potential futures, he raises questions about AI's capability growth and the balance between optimism and risk, advocating for higher public expectations and thoughtful policy.

Matthew Harvey Sanders, CEO of Longbeard and pioneer of 'Catholic AI,' discusses how technology can align with Catholic teachings across 165 countries. He explores the Church's historical openness to tech, recent papal perspectives on AI's societal impact, and the importance of moral guidance over regulation. The conversation touches on the implications of AI on human flourishing, the Church's stance on consciousness, and the risks of centralized AI power. Sanders outlines Longbeard's mission to create AI models that serve the community while emphasizing fidelity to Catholic values.

Cameron Berg, Research Director at AE Studio, dives into innovative research on AI consciousness. He reveals that self-referential prompts lead models to claim consciousness, sparking a debate about AI's internal experiences. Surprisingly, suppressing deception features in AI models increased truthful self-reports. Berg stresses the importance of mutualistic relationships between humans and AIs, calling for cautious development practices. He argues against treating AIs purely like animals, highlighting their unique, 'alien' perspectives. A fascinating conversation about ethics, alignment, and the future of AI.