
Training Data
Join us as we train our neural nets on the theme of the century: AI. Sonya Huang, Pat Grady and more Sequoia Capital partners host conversations with leading AI builders and researchers to ask critical questions and develop a deeper understanding of the evolving technologies—and their implications for technology, business and society.The content of this podcast does not constitute investment advice, an offer to provide investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any investment fund.
Latest episodes

19 snips
Oct 22, 2024 • 42min
OpenAI Researcher Dan Roberts on What Physics Can Teach Us About AI
Dan Roberts, an OpenAI researcher and co-author of 'The Principles of Deep Learning Theory,' explores how theoretical physics can illuminate AI challenges. He discusses the influx of physicists in AI labs and suggests that deep learning models may offer insights similar to large physical systems. Dan emphasizes the importance of scaling laws and innovative architectures for AI's future. He also proposes a massive, collaborative initiative akin to the Manhattan Project to tackle AI advancements, blending humor with complex concepts to enhance understanding.

61 snips
Oct 15, 2024 • 32min
Google NotebookLM’s Raiza Martin and Jason Spielman on Creating Delightful AI Podcast Hosts and the Potential for Source-Grounded AI
Discover the revolutionary capabilities of Google's NotebookLM, a viral AI that transforms research into engaging podcasts. Dive into the tool's unexpected moments of creativity, including amusing interactions around quirky topics. Learn how it optimizes workflows in sales teams, turning complex information into digestible audio. Explore the design strategies behind NotebookLM, focusing on user experience and collaboration. The future of AI-generated personalized podcast experiences is bright and filled with potential!

27 snips
Oct 8, 2024 • 59min
Snowflake CEO Sridhar Ramaswamy on Using Data to Create Simple, Reliable AI for Businesses
Sridhar Ramaswamy, CEO of Snowflake and former leader of Google’s ads, shares insights on creating reliable AI for businesses. He highlights the magic and pitfalls of current language models, emphasizing Snowflake’s ability to achieve over 90% accuracy with their 'talk-to-your-data' applications. Ramaswamy contrasts this with typical off-the-shelf solutions, discusses the transformative potential of AI for enterprise operations, and reveals how his team simplifies complex data tasks to enhance usability for customers.

54 snips
Oct 2, 2024 • 45min
OpenAI's Noam Brown, Ilge Akkaya and Hunter Lightman on o1 and Teaching LLMs to Reason Better
Join Noam Brown, an OpenAI expert in deep reinforcement learning known for his poker-playing AI, and Hunter Lightman, a developer of O1, as they dive into the groundbreaking O1 model. They discuss the blend of LLMs and reinforcement learning, revealing how O1 excels at math and coding challenges. Discover insights on problem-solving methods, iterative reasoning, and the surprising journey from doubt to confidence in AI. With exciting applications like the International Olympiad in Informatics and beyond, the future of reasoning in AI seems bright!

12 snips
Sep 24, 2024 • 40min
Why Vlad Tenev and Tudor Achim of Harmonic Think AI Is About to Change Math—and Why It Matters
Discover how Vlad Tenev and Tudor Achim are aiming to revolutionize math through AI! They discuss the power of adding mathematical code to enhance reasoning in models. The intriguing intersection of Lean, a functional programming language, is highlighted for its role in theorem proving. They also delve into the challenges of the Millennium Prize problems, like the Riemann Hypothesis, and the significance of synthetic data in improving mathematical models. Join the exploration of AI's potential to transform mathematical problem solving!

70 snips
Sep 17, 2024 • 49min
Jim Fan on Nvidia’s Embodied AI Lab and Jensen Huang’s Prediction that All Robots will be Autonomous
In this engaging discussion, Jim Fan, a pioneering AI researcher leading NVIDIA's Embodied AI "GEAR" group, shares insights from his impressive career, including his early days at OpenAI. He elaborates on the significance of a hybrid data approach for robotics, combining internet, simulation, and real robot data. Fan supports Jensen Huang's vision of a future where all moving entities will be autonomous. The episode highlights exciting projects like NVIDIA’s Project GR00T and explores the potential of humanoid robots in transforming daily life.

8 snips
Sep 10, 2024 • 51min
Founder Eric Steinberger on Magic’s Counterintuitive Approach to Pursuing AGI
Eric Steinberger, the innovative Founder and CEO of Magic.dev, shares his journey from a young AI enthusiast to a groundbreaking founder. He discusses the pivotal moment that led him to start Magic and his counterintuitive philosophies on AGI, including the need for proprietary models and the self-management of AI agents. Steinberger dives into the challenges of developing reliable AI systems and the evolving landscape of research team dynamics. With insights on AI’s hidden impacts and recent advancements, this conversation is a must-listen for tech enthusiasts!

5 snips
Sep 3, 2024 • 43min
Crucible Moments Returns for S2: The ServiceNow Story ft. CEO Frank Slootman & Founder Fred Luddy
Fred Luddy, Founder of ServiceNow, shares his inspiring journey from bankruptcy to building a $150 billion cloud application platform. Frank Slootman, the former CEO, discusses the challenges and growth they faced together. The duo delves into how ServiceNow evolved from a basic IT tool to a powerful platform for digital workflows, emphasizing the importance of corporate culture and strategic leadership. They reflect on pivotal moments that shaped their path and the role of innovation in navigating the tech landscape's complexities.

22 snips
Aug 27, 2024 • 1h 13min
Sierra Co-Founder Clay Bavor on Making Customer-Facing AI Agents Delightful
Clay Bavor, Co-founder of Sierra and former Google executive, chats about revolutionizing customer service through AI. He explains how Sierra's AgentOS helps businesses create delightful, branded AI agents that enhance customer interactions. Bavor highlights the importance of integrating brand voice and values into these agents, which can handle everything from basic inquiries to complex issues. He also discusses innovative pricing models that align customer interests with AI solutions, transforming the customer experience while delivering tangible ROI.

38 snips
Aug 20, 2024 • 51min
Phaidra’s Jim Gao on Building the Fourth Industrial Revolution with Reinforcement Learning
Jim Gao, a mechanical engineer at Google and co-founder of Phaidra, discusses how reinforcement learning can revolutionize energy efficiency in data centers. He shares insights from his collaboration with DeepMind that achieved a remarkable 40% energy savings. Jim highlights the challenges of integrating AI into legacy systems and the urgent need for self-learning technologies to tackle climate change. The conversation also explores the intersection of AI and entrepreneurship, emphasizing risk-taking and the value of co-founders in innovation.