

"The Cognitive Revolution" | AI Builders, Researchers, and Live Player Analysis
Erik Torenberg, Nathan Labenz
A biweekly podcast where hosts Nathan Labenz and Erik Torenberg interview the builders on the edge of AI and explore the dramatic shift it will unlock in the coming years.The Cognitive Revolution is part of the Turpentine podcast network. To learn more: turpentine.co
Episodes
Mentioned books

25 snips
Jul 19, 2024 • 1h 21min
Long-Term Memory for LLMs, with HippoRAG author Bernal Jiménez Gutierrez
Bernal Jiménez Gutiérrez, a PhD candidate at Ohio State University and lead author of HippoRAG, delves into his innovative approach to retrieval-augmented generation inspired by the human hippocampus. He discusses how HippoRAG enhances memory processing in AI, particularly in complex queries requiring multi-hop reasoning. The conversation also touches on the parallels between brain mechanisms and AI systems, challenges in biomedical NLP, and how modular AI can improve cognitive abilities. Gutiérrez provides insights into the future of AI memory systems and their potential.

18 snips
Jul 17, 2024 • 1h 43min
Guaranteed Safe AI? World Models, Safety Specs, & Verifiers, with Nora Ammann & Ben Goldhaber
Nora Ammann, co-author of the Guaranteed Safe AI framework, and Ben Goldhaber dive deep into AI safety. They discuss a groundbreaking three-part system for ensuring robust AI behavior. Highlights include the necessity for quantitative safety metrics and collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches to mitigate risks. They tackle ethical dilemmas like the trolley problem in real-world AI applications and advocate for building resilient safety standards. The duo emphasizes the importance of innovative governance structures to foster responsible AI development.

Jul 13, 2024 • 1h 56min
The ARC Prize: Efficiency, Intuition, and AGI, with Mike Knoop, co-founder of Zapier
In a riveting chat, Mike Knoop, co-founder of Zapier and the ARC Prize, dives into groundbreaking concepts of AI efficiency and general intelligence. He explains the ARC benchmark's pivotal role in evaluating AI's problem-solving capacity and its implications for safety. The conversation highlights the necessity of intuitive frameworks in AI, the challenges of generalization, and innovative strategies for AGI development. Knoop emphasizes open collaboration through initiatives like the ARC Prize, aiming to push the boundaries of AI architectures toward human-level capabilities.

Jul 11, 2024 • 1h 16min
A Foundation Model for Food, with Chef Robotics CEO Rajat Bhageria
In a fascinating conversation, Rajat Bhageria, founder and CEO of Chef Robotics, shares insights into how AI and robotics are set to transform food production. They discuss the potential of robots in enhancing food assembly efficiency while improving labor conditions in kitchens. Bhageria dives into topics like imitation learning and data flywheels, highlighting how customizable meals can be produced by robotic kitchens. He envisions a future where high-quality meals become accessible to everyone, ultimately reshaping the industry.

70 snips
Jul 9, 2024 • 1h 16min
Delving into The Prompt Report, with Sander Schulhoff of LearnPrompting.org
Sander Schulhoff, creator of LearnPrompting.org and author of the Prompt Report, dives deep into innovative prompting techniques for AI. He discusses best practices and the challenges faced in ensuring effective prompts. The conversation highlights new developments in generative AI courses and automated systems, along with insights into advanced methods like few-shot prompting. Schulhoff also addresses misconceptions in prompt optimization and the critical role of training methodologies, revealing how these elements shape the future of AI performance and collaboration.

45 snips
Jul 6, 2024 • 1h 12min
Building an Intelligent Business OS, with Runway CEO Siqi Chen
Siqi Chen, CEO of Runway, is reshaping business finance with AI. He discusses creating an intelligent operating system that simplifies financial scenarios for both finance and non-finance professionals. Siqi explores how AI enhances decision-making and democratizes financial knowledge, while sharing insights on the integration of advanced language models. He also addresses the importance of infrastructure in maximizing AI potential and the challenges of applying AI in real-world contexts, emphasizing the importance of human creativity as tech evolves.

38 snips
Jul 4, 2024 • 1h 42min
The State Space Model Revolution, with Albert Gu
Albert Gu, an assistant professor at CMU and co-founder of Cartesia AI, delves into the innovative Mamba architecture and the state space model revolution. He highlights the groundbreaking shift toward biologically inspired memory models, contrasting traditional approaches with new methods that enhance information processing. The conversation also touches on the advancements from Mamba 1 to Mamba 2, optimizing performance through improved state management and model efficiency. Gu's insights paint a thrilling picture of AI's future, emphasizing curiosity and breakthroughs in research.

38 snips
Jun 28, 2024 • 1h 48min
AI Safety Regulations: Prudent or Paranoid? with a16z's Martin Casado
Join Martin Casado, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, as he navigates the complex landscape of AI and its future. He discusses the intricate challenges of regulating AI amidst rapid advancements, the balance between innovation and safety, and the ethical implications of AI technologies. Casado also explores the evolution of AI, highlighting the dichotomy between generative AI systems and human cognition. Dive into the tensions between corporate autonomy and regulatory demands, and gain insights into the practical outcomes of informed AI policies.

17 snips
Jun 26, 2024 • 1h 54min
Fluid Intelligence: Simulating Solutions with Tim Duignan
Tim Duignan, an applied mathematician at the University of Queensland, dives into the fascinating world of AI and computational chemistry. He discusses groundbreaking AI techniques for simulating electrolyte solutions, enhancing our understanding of critical applications like battery technology. Duignan also delves into the complexities of molecular dynamics, wave function collapse, and the synergy between quantum mechanics and AI. His insights reveal how incorporating equivariance in neural networks could revolutionize molecular simulations and propel future scientific innovations.

20 snips
Jun 22, 2024 • 1h 37min
The AI Doctor Can See You Now, with Vivek Natarajan and Khaled Saab from Google
Join Google researchers Khaled Saab and Vivek Natarajan as they dive into the transformative potential of AI in healthcare. Khaled, a leading expert in AI applications, discusses how AI doctors could enhance global access to quality medical advice. They explore breakthroughs in large language models, improved diagnostics, and the revolutionary impact of AI systems like MedGemini. The conversation also touches on the importance of trust in AI technologies and ethical considerations for the future of medicine.