AI + a16z

Edo Liberty, CEO of Pinecone, discusses the challenges and potential of RAG technology in AI. He compares RAG to early transformers, highlighting its sharp edges but amazing capabilities. The conversation covers the evolution of infrastructure in machine learning, semantic search, and the future of AI knowledgeability.

Anjney Midha, A16z General Partner, discusses the future of AI hardware, focusing on the potential at the inference layer for everyday wearable devices. He highlights the demand for private interactions with language models and the need for on-device processing. Midha emphasizes the emergence of new chips to handle inference workloads, driven by open source models and a renaissance of efficient hardware.

Naveen Rao, VP of generative AI at Databricks, discusses enterprise LLMs and generative AI, highlighting the evolution of language models, challenges in building custom chips, and the effectiveness of domain-specific small models. The conversation also explores the transition towards a hybrid learning approach, regulating generative models, and Naveen's transformative journey from computer architecture to AI innovation.

The podcast delves into the debates and regulations surrounding open source AI models, featuring insights from industry experts. It explores the transformative power of open source in challenging corporate dominance, historical skepticism, and the importance of transparency and reproducibility. The conversation also addresses defining open source in AI, licensing choices, regulatory landscapes, and the potential for open source to drive innovation in the industry.

The podcast delves into the transformative impact of AI, comparing it to past technological shifts. It covers topics like infrastructure for foundation models and how AI tools are changing hiring. Future episodes will explore generative AI, cybersecurity, and tools for LLMs.