Ignite AI: Exploring the Edge of AI with Google Veteran Dr. Matt Welsh | Ep77

Ignite: Conversations on Startups, Venture Capital, Tech, Future, and Society

In this episode of the Ignite podcast, Dr. Matt Welsh, an AI pioneer with a storied career spanning from Google to Apple, and currently leading his own stealth startup, joined host Brian for a deep dive into the evolving world of AI, particularly focusing on large language models. Dr. Welsh shared insights from his extensive experience, starting with his early involvement in the AI space even before popular models like GPT came into existence. He highlighted his pivotal roles in companies like XNOR.AI and OctoAI, reflecting on the rapid shifts in industry terminology from 'ML' to 'AI' and how these reflected broader changes in the tech landscape.The conversation then shifted to the technical and philosophical nuances of large language models. Dr. Welsh eloquently explained the fundamental mechanisms of these models, like how they use vast amounts of text data to predict text sequences, which has unexpectedly led to capabilities resembling higher order reasoning. He emphasized the transformative impact of AI technologies that can perform complex tasks such as writing essays or conducting detailed business analysis, challenging previous expectations of AI's limitations. Dr. Welsh also engaged in a broader discussion about the implications of AI in society, particularly the ethical and practical challenges posed by its advancement. He pondered the future of AI development, including the potential to hit asymptotic limits in model size and effectiveness. The dialogue covered the balance between the promise of AI to revolutionize industries and the caution needed due to its black-box nature, making it difficult to predict or understand its behavior fully.The episode concluded with thoughts on the future of programming and AI integration. Dr. Welsh advocated for a new approach to computing that might require rethinking traditional programming models to harness the full potential of AI. This includes the need for developing new methodologies for training AI systems in specific applications, suggesting a future where AI could become as integral and intuitive a tool as any other in the digital age. Chapters:

Introduction to Dr. Matt Welsh (00:01 - 00:30)

Early AI Adventures (00:31 - 03:00)

Transition to AI Startups (03:01 - 06:00)

Deep Dive into Large Language Models (06:01 - 12:00)

The AI Terminology Evolution (12:01 - 15:00)

Starting Fixie.ai (15:01 - 18:00)

Stealth Mode and Future Projects (18:01 - 21:00)

AI’s Societal Impact and Ethical Considerations (21:01 - 27:00)

Future of Programming with AI (27:01 - 33:00)

AI in Daily Life and Beyond (33:01 - 37:00)

Q&A (37:01 - 45:31)