What if the future of AI wasn't just about raw computational power, but about understanding and empathy?

In this episode, we delve into a groundbreaking shift in artificial intelligence, focusing on emotional intelligence as a key component. This pivot is spearheaded by Eric Zelickman, whose ambitious startup Humanzen is at the forefront of this movement. With a staggering billion-dollar raise at a $4 billion valuation, Zelickman's venture aims to redefine how AI interacts with humans, moving beyond the current models that often feel cold and disconnected.

Eric Zelickman is not just any researcher; he is a former PhD student at Stanford and a key figure in AI research. His experience includes being on the technical staff at XAI in 2024, and he was the lead author of a pivotal paper on language models. Zelickman has the technical expertise and vision that attract significant venture capital interest. His critique of current AI models centers on their lack of emotional intelligence and long-term contextual understanding, which he argues are crucial for effective human-AI collaboration.

The episode explores how Humanzen's empathetic AI model aims to address these shortcomings by building a profile that learns and grows with the user. This approach promises to foster better collaboration between humans and AI, which Zelickman believes is essential for tackling major global challenges like climate change and disease. The discussion raises critical questions about the future of AI, particularly how success in creating empathetic AI can be measured and what it means for human values and ambitions. As venture capitalists place massive bets on this new direction, the potential impact on technology and society is profound.

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Are we witnessing the dawn of a new era in technology, or are we on the brink of a financial bubble?

This episode of the Deep Dive delves into the high-stakes world of AI and finance, specifically focusing on OpenAI's ambitious IPO goals. With a potential $1 trillion valuation on the horizon, OpenAI is setting the stage for what could be the largest technology IPO in history. But with such lofty ambitions come significant challenges and questions about sustainability and market confidence.

this episode is not a single individual but rather a collection of insights from industry experts and financial analysts who have been closely monitoring OpenAI's journey. The episode draws on a variety of sources to paint a comprehensive picture of the current landscape, highlighting the tension between OpenAI's mission to develop safe and beneficial artificial general intelligence (AGI) and the immense financial pressures it faces.

Throughout the episode, we explore the core conflict between OpenAI's grand vision and the reality of its competition. Despite spending billions on research and development, OpenAI's flagship model, ChatGPT5, recently underperformed in a specialized task, losing 66% in an autonomous crypto trading competition. In stark contrast, a much cheaper and specialized rival, Deep Seq, achieved a positive return. This disparity raises questions about the feasibility of a $1 trillion valuation and whether smaller, more focused AI models could shift the financial landscape. As OpenAI navigates these challenges, the episode invites listeners to consider the broader implications for the future of AI investment.

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$1 billion to build AI models with emotional intelligence

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if AI could truly understand and respond to your emotions? In today's episode of The Deep Dive, we're exploring a groundbreaking AI funding story that shifts the focus from sheer computational power to emotional intelligence. We're delving into the mission of a new startup, Humans in Darrett, which aims to create AI that is not just smart, but emotionally intelligent. This episode challenges the conventional notion of AI as cold and machine-like, and instead, envisions a future where AI can empathize and collaborate effectively with humans.

Leading this innovative venture is Eric Zelickman, a former Stanford PhD student and a key figure in the AI community. Zelickman has a background in logic and reasoning, having contributed significantly to advancements in AI language models. His work introduced the concept of a "scratch pad" for internal reasoning, which helped improve AI's logical flow. Now, he's making a bold leap into the realm of emotions, raising a staggering $1 billion at a $4 billion valuation to bring his vision to life. Investors are not just betting on the idea of emotionally intelligent AI; they are backing Zelickman's expertise and track record in the field.

This episode unpacks Zelickman’s critique of current AI models, which he argues are too detached and fail to maintain emotional continuity in conversations. Humans in Darrett aims to address this by developing AI that remembers emotional contexts and can empathize with users. The implications of such technology are profound, extending beyond improved chatbots to potentially revolutionizing fields like cancer research, education, and diplomacy. By fostering better human collaboration through empathy, AI could become a powerful ally in tackling complex global challenges. The episode leaves us pondering whether the $4 billion valuation is justified and what the future holds if AI can genuinely understand human emotions and motivations.

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