Core Memory

Andrew Hsu, co-founder of Speak and a child prodigy, graduated from the University of Washington at just 16. He discusses his unconventional educational journey, highlighting the benefits of homeschooling and the unique pressures of early success. Hsu shares insights on the transformative role of AI in language learning, detailing his startup's growth and the challenges faced in adapting to different cultures. The conversation also reflects on effective learning strategies, productivity methods, and the importance of mentorship in navigating life's complexities.

This week, Adam Marbleston and Anastasia Gamick, co-founders of Convergent Research, discuss innovative funding models for science. With backgrounds in cutting-edge organizations like Neuralink and Google DeepMind, they emphasize how Focused Research Organizations (FROs) can bridge the gap in American science funding. They champion the idea of investing in small teams tackling big questions, like neuroscience and biotechnologies, and introduce their 'gap map' to pinpoint urgent research needs. Their insights reveal a bold vision for advancing scientific innovation.

Kian Sadeghi, founder and CEO of Nucleus and a Thiel Fellow, dives into the evolving world of consumer DNA testing. He discusses how Nucleus offers comprehensive genetic insights, unlike traditional tests. Sadeghi explains the innovative embryo selection process for IVF, which is gaining popularity. He also addresses the ethical implications of gene editing and the need for consumer empowerment in genetics. His bold claims and perspective on the industry spark intriguing debates, making for a thought-provoking conversation.

Paul Eremenko, an AI engineer and founder of P-1 AI, talks about his fascinating journey from Ukraine to leading innovation in aerospace. He shares insights on his new AI, Archie, designed to assist in engineering today and revolutionize design for buildings, planes, and rockets in the future. The discussion covers challenges in aviation sustainability, the use of AI in engineering design, and the potential for AI to transform future industries. Plus, his dog Li makes a charming cameo, picking favorites!

Zach Abrams, CEO of Bridge and fintech veteran, dives into the rapidly evolving world of money. He explains stablecoins as stable digital currencies pegged to the dollar, addressing their role in overcoming inefficiencies in traditional finance. The discussion includes the challenges and potential of integrating stablecoins in global payments, especially for B2B transactions. Abrams also reflects on the changing landscape shaped by AI and its implications for financial systems. Expect insights into resilience, innovation, and the future of money in a digital-first world.

Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril Industries and Oculus VR, dives into groundbreaking tech and personal anecdotes. He discusses the shocking collaboration between Anduril and Meta to create 'Eagle Eye,' a military helmet that integrates VR/AR for soldiers. Luckey reflects on his journey from gaming enthusiasm to military innovation, revealing how his vision blends nostalgia with modern defense. He also touches on the complexities of tech partnerships amid political tensions and offers insights into raising kids in today’s tech-driven world.

Peter Beck, the self-taught founder and CEO of Rocket Lab, shares his incredible journey in the aerospace industry. He discusses the ambitious development of the Neutron rocket and the competitive landscape against giants like SpaceX. Beck reflects on navigating innovation in small towns and cultivating creativity amidst challenges. He also recounts a significant dinner with a key player in space exploration, highlighting the dynamics of the space industry. With community spirit at heart, he invites listeners to his upcoming Rocket Lab event.

Guillaume Verdon, founder of Extropic and known as Beff Jezos, dives into revolutionary concepts of thermodynamic computing and its potential to transform AI. He discusses the significance of transitioning from traditional computing paradigms to probabilistic systems, while advocating for democratizing AI in a landscape dominated by corporate giants. Verdon also reflects on the evolution of open source ideals and critiques the power dynamics in AI, promoting competitive alternatives to ensure innovation and prevent monopolistic control.

Jacob Kimmel, co-founder and president of New Limit, shares insights into revolutionary biotech aimed at reprogramming cellular aging. He discusses their groundbreaking work with transcription factors, which can potentially restore youthful cell functions. Exciting advancements in epigenetic reprogramming are revealed, including successes in rejuvenating old liver cells. Kimmel emphasizes the collaboration between academia and industry driving progress in longevity science, and the challenges faced in gene manipulation as they seek to enhance human health and lifespan.

Earlier this month, Nature published some of the results from a multi-year effort to better understand the visual cortex of mice.The work took place under the MICrONS effort backed by IARPA (Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity), one of the U.S. government’s more exotic research arms. And it represented a ground-breaking attempt to blend cutting-edge techniques in how we analyze brains with artificial intelligence technology.As The New York Times wrote,The researchers zeroed in on a portion of the mouse brain that receives signals from the eyes and reconstructs what the animal sees. In the first stage of the research, the team recorded the activity of neurons in that region as it showed a mouse videos of different landscapes.The researchers then dissected the mouse brain and doused the cubic millimeter with hardening chemicals. Then they shaved off 28,000 slices from the block of tissue, capturing an image of each one. Computers were trained to recognize the outlines of cells in each slice and link the slices together into three-dimensional shapes. All told, the team charted 200,000 neurons and other types of brain cells, along with 523 million neural connections.Andreas Tolias, our guest on today’s podcast, was one of many researchers involved in this effort, and he walked us through MICrONS in detail.Tolias also took us on an exploration of the history and future of brain research and his current passion, which is to represent human brains in digital form. He’s a fascinating man working one of the most fascinating areas of science.This episode was sponsored by the kind people at E1 Ventures. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.corememory.com/subscribe