a16z Podcast - A Big Week in AI: GPT-4o & Gemini Find Their Voice
This past week was a significant one in the realm of artificial intelligence, as both OpenAI and Google unveiled major updates. The developments were so substantial that we decided to delve into them in a new format alongside our Consumer partners, Bryan Kim, and Justine Moore.
We delved into the emergence of multi-modal companions that have finally found their voice. However, our discussion also touched upon the fact that not all audio is created equal, emphasizing the importance of nuances such as speed and personality in the AI landscape.
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Remaking the UI for AI
a16z General Partner Anjney Midha shares insights on how hardware for artificial intelligence is set to improve, particularly at the inference layer. This improvement will have profound implications for how we construct, train, and engage with AI models.
Duration: 40 mins
Release Date: 16 May
How Discord Became a Developer Platform
In 2009, Discord's co-founder and CEO, Jason Citron, embarked on developing tools and infrastructure for games, culminating in the platform's current status as a home to over 200 million monthly active users.
In this episode, Jason, in conjunction with a16z General Partner Anjney Midha, delves into the intricacies of community-driven product development, the transition from gamer to developer, and Discord’s enduring dedication to platform extensibility.
Duration: 42 mins
Release Date: 10 May
Securing the Black Box: OpenAI, Anthropic, and GDM Discuss
Fears of the unknown often accompany human nature, with the rapid evolution of AI prompting legitimate concerns. Uncanny robocalls, data breaches, and the deluge of misinformation are but a few examples. How does security fare in the age of large language models?
In this episode, security experts from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind—Matt Knight, Jason Clinton, and Vijay Bolina, respectively—join Joel de la Garza, the operating partner at a16z, to explore the impact of large language models on security. Topics include changes in offensive and defensive strategies, potential misuse by nation-state actors, prompt engineering, and more.
Duration: 59 mins
Release Date: 6 May
Can AI Advance Science? DeepMind's VP of Science Weighs In
Recent years have witnessed significant advancements in the AI landscape, from the introduction of DALL-E 2 in April 2022 to the emergence of AI-powered music and video models in early 2024.
DeepMind's VP of Research for Science, Pushmeet Kohli, along with a16z General Partner Vijay Pande, delve into the transformative potential of AI in scientific exploration. The episode explores whether AI holds the key to ushering in fundamentally novel discoveries in the realm of science.
Duration: 55 mins
Release Date: 1 May
Next-Gen Gaming: AI Souls, Real-time Culture, Personalized Avatars
Over 3,700 companies vied for a spot in a16z’s SPEEDRUN. In this episode, we meet the trailblazing founders pushing the boundaries of conventional gaming experiences.
a16z General Partner Andrew Chen and Partner Josh Lu engage in a discussion surrounding the triumphs and tribulations of crafting games that not only offer entertainment but also seamlessly integrate into the digital era. Topics range from the fusion of traditional gaming elements with modern technological twists to games that keep pace with cultural trends.
Duration: 30 mins
Release Date: 26 April
