In the latest episode of the AI Geeks Podcast, Tim delves into the extraordinary achievement in the artificial intelligence (AI) community with the 2024 Nobel Prize announcements. This year, the AI field celebrated four Nobel laureates, highlighting the profound impact of AI on global scientific advancements.
A significant highlight was Demis Hassabis of DeepMind, who clinched the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Tim shares a personal connection with Google Campus, where he was part of the same first-generation cohort of London’s Silicon Roundabout as Hassabis and many other innovators. He reflects on the early days of AI’s integration into significant scientific research and its evolution to achieving such prestigious recognition.
The discussion also touches on the broader implications for deeptech startups. Tim shares his insights on the changing landscape of venture capital investment in technology. He reminisces when deeptech companies, grounded in solid scientific research, were the primary beneficiaries of funding. However, he notes a shift towards more hype-driven investments in less groundbreaking projects.
Tim argues that true innovation requires time and substantial investment in deep research, which doesn’t align well with the fast returns expected by modern venture capital models. He suggests that governments should play a more proactive role in funding and supporting deeptech initiatives to foster real innovation that can tackle humanity’s most pressing challenges.
Moreover, Tim shares his concerns about the hype overshadowing substantial technological advancements, emphasising the need for a more ethical and responsible approach to AI development. He calls for a return to innovation that genuinely serves societal needs rather than just focusing on creating investor returns.
Tim encourages a broader discussion on the role of government in technological development and the need for a supportive ecosystem that allows deeptech startups to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society. Join the conversation now and tell us what you think.
