Pioneers of AI

Dr. Shiv Rao is a cardiologist and the CEO of Abridge, a $5.3 billion AI company focused on reducing clinician burnout. In this engaging conversation, he discusses the public health crisis of doctor burnout caused by clerical burdens and staffing shortages. Rao explains how Abridge’s AI automates medical note-taking, enhancing the patient-clinician experience. He also touches on the challenges of multilingual support in healthcare and asserts that AI enables clinicians to focus more on human connection, ultimately improving care.

Rana el Kaliouby, an AI scientist, entrepreneur, and expert in emotion AI, shares her predictions for 2026. She discusses the exciting potential of AI to enhance human connections and the shift from academia to industry-driven breakthroughs. Rana tackles the chatbot arms race, concerns about dynamic pricing discriminating against essential goods, and the concept of relationship-intelligent AI. She also predicts the rise of AI-native jobs and emphasizes the need for cultural customization in AI applications, all while balancing optimism with concerns about safety and fairness.

Join Anima Anandkumar, a Caltech professor focusing on AI and climate modeling, Daphne Koller, the CEO of Insitro working on AI-driven drug discovery, and Raquel Urtasun, founder of Waabi specializing in autonomous driving. They discuss the evolving relationship between academia and industry in AI innovation. Discover how physical AI can revolutionize climate science, the creation of digital twins for drug predictions, and the importance of efficient models. Their insights shape the future of AI, emphasizing human well-being and interdisciplinary collaboration.

In this engaging conversation, Rene Haas, CEO of Arm—whose technology powers billions of devices—shares insights from the forefront of AI infrastructure. He discusses the shift from training to inference and how Arm's low-power CPUs are pivotal for AI on edge devices. Haas boldly predicts that concerns about an AI bubble will fade, emphasizing the transformative potential of AI in fields like life sciences. He also delves into competitive dynamics with NVIDIA and the future of CPU innovations, from memory to robotics.

Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta, dives into the realities of the AI investment landscape. He reveals that 35-40% of capital raised is funneled to AI companies, sparking debates on whether we’re in an AI bubble. Walker highlights the rise of vertical AI and innovative hardware-software combinations while contrasting the hype of mega-rounds against more typical valuations. He also discusses the challenges solo founders face in securing funding, the changing dynamics of startup hiring, and how AI can enhance data visualization.

Suresh Kumar, Chief Technology Officer at Walmart, is spearheading a bold AI transformation for the retail giant. He discusses integrating OpenAI to allow customers to shop through ChatGPT and introduces Sparky, Walmart's conversational shopping agent. Kumar delves into using AI for tailored local inventory, enhancing delivery options, and boosting supply chain resilience. He highlights the importance of ethical AI implementation and emphasizes a 'people-led, tech-powered' approach to retail, aiming to improve customer experiences while adapting the workforce.

In this insightful discussion, Andrew Ng, a pioneering AI educator and co-founder of Coursera and DeepLearning.AI, joins DJ Patil, former U.S. Chief Data Scientist, to explore the future of AI. They delve into the concept of 'agentic' workflows and how they differ from traditional prompting methods. The duo stresses the importance of coding skills alongside AI and discusses the challenges the U.S. faces in maintaining its competitive edge in the global AI landscape. They also examine the role of semiconductors and the need for trust in AI's social acceptance.

In this discussion, Mark Cuban, the renowned entrepreneur and Dallas Mavericks owner, dives deep into his AI investment strategies and experiments. He shares insights on using AI avatars for engagement and discusses the potential of AI in preventive medicine. Cuban also explores whether we're in an AI bubble and emphasizes the importance of targeting industries ripe for disruption. He wraps up with advice for young professionals and reflects on the unchanged essence of humanity in the age of AI.

Lisa Su, CEO of AMD, discusses the crucial role of semiconductors in advancing technology and healthcare. She reveals how AMD turned around from near-bankruptcy to a leader in high-performance computing. Lisa highlights AI's potential in accelerating drug discovery and equalizing healthcare access. She also shares insights on navigating geopolitics, the importance of energy efficiency, and fostering a culture of innovation. Su emphasizes the exciting future of AI, envisioning significant improvements in quality of life over the next decade.

Siddhartha Mukherjee, a Pulitzer Prize-winning cancer researcher and co-founder of Manas AI, discusses revolutionary changes in drug discovery. He explains how AI can streamline this lengthy process, making life-saving cures more affordable and accessible. Mukherjee highlights the unique aspects of generative chemistry that differentiate it from traditional AI methods. He also explores the essential role of human oversight in AI-driven discovery, emphasizing that technology should enhance human compassion and creativity.