Eye on A.I.
A biweekly interview podcast hosted by former New York Times correspondent Craig S. Smith that takes a global view of artificial intelligence. Each episode features a conversation with a leading AI practitioner or researcher about their work and the broader implications of AI developments. Eye on AI places incremental AI advances into context and explores how innovations in areas like large language models, robotics, or policy are shaping our world.
What OpenAI Leaving Microsoft Means for AI
The episode explores three major AI developments: Secreact’s $110 million Series B to build robots with world‑model‑driven safety, David Silver’s $1.1 billion seed round for Ineffable Intelligence betting on reinforcement‑learning agents beyond LLMs, and the fallout from OpenAI ending Microsoft’s exclusive license just before Microsoft’s earnings call. The host highlights how Secreact’s Cortex 2.0 predicts physical outcomes to improve warehouse safety, Silver’s push for "ineffable" intelligence challenges the dominance of large language models, and the OpenAI‑Microsoft split could reshape Azure’s AI revenue and antitrust scrutiny. Perspectives from industry veterans and investors underscore the shifting strategies in AI commercialization and regulation.
Anthropic's IPO Play, Novo Nordisk X OpenAI, and the First Brain Sensor Goes Human
The episode covers a rapid round‑up of AI‑related headlines: Apple is testing four frame designs for smart glasses that will focus on camera, call, and AI assistant functions rather than AR; Vercel’s CEO announced a surge to a $340 million ARR...
OpenAI's $121B Funding Round Explained
In this episode, host Jaden Schaefer breaks down OpenAI's historic $121 billion funding round that valued the company at $852 billion, detailing the major investors—Amazon, NVIDIA, SoftBank—and the conditional nature of Amazon's $35 billion commitment. He also examines Huawei's new 950 PR AI chip,...
Gumloop Raises $50M From Benchmark to Scale AI Agents
In this episode, host Jaden Schaefer highlights Gumloop, a startup that enables every employee to become an AI‑agent builder, automating routine tasks without needing code. Founded in mid‑2023 by Max Broder Urbass, Gumloop has quickly secured major enterprise customers like...
What VC's Are Looking For in AI Startups Today
In this episode, host Jaden Schaefer breaks down the evolving criteria VCs use to evaluate AI startups in 2026, emphasizing a shift toward AI that directly completes tasks rather than superficial chat‑based layers. He cites insights from investors like Aaron...
Suno Hits $300M ARR: AI's Impact on the Music Industry
The episode explores the rapid rise of AI-generated music, spotlighting Suno's milestone of 2 million paid subscribers and $300 million in annual recurring revenue, as well as Google's new Lyria 3 model. It discusses how tools like Suno enable creators to generate full...
Japanese Toilet Maker Toto's HUGE AI Windfall
The episode examines how Japanese toilet manufacturer Toto has leveraged its advanced ceramic division to become a major supplier of AI‑related semiconductor components, driving a sharp rise in its stock price and drawing activist investor interest. It details Toto's role...
Apple Wins The AI Hardware Race
The episode breaks down Apple’s unexpected lead in AI hardware, highlighting how its strategy focuses on powerful, cost‑effective devices like the Mac Mini rather than racing ahead in AI software. It examines upcoming AI‑enabled wearables and recent AirPods/Siri updates, then...
Waabi Raises $1B From Uber and VCs
The episode examines Waabi, an autonomous trucking startup that just raised a $1 billion funding round, including a $250 million investment from Uber. It highlights Waabi's AI‑first strategy, which relies on advanced simulation to enable rapid learning and generalization across vehicle platforms...
Unprecedented AI Math Discoveries
The episode explores how AI is now generating novel mathematical methods rather than merely solving known problems, highlighting groundbreaking discoveries that could reshape research. Hosts discuss tangible performance improvements and cost savings achieved by applying these AI-driven approaches in real-world...
OpenAI’s Image AI Aims to Reduce Creative Friction
The episode examines how OpenAI’s new image AI tools are designed to cut down the friction that often hampers creative workflows, highlighting specific efficiency gains for artists and designers. It discusses the technology’s ability to streamline tasks like image generation,...
AI Startup Momentic Nets $15M for Testing Automation
The episode spotlights Momentic, an AI startup that has secured $15 million to expand its engineering team and accelerate its AI-driven software stability testing platform. The hosts explain how Momentic's technology uses advanced AI models to automatically assess and predict software...
AWS to Invest $50B Scaling AI Across Key Gov Agencies
AWS announced a $50 billion commitment to expand AI capabilities within major U.S. government agencies, focusing on standardizing cloud tools and speeding up model deployment. The initiative aims to consolidate fragmented digital infrastructures, enabling faster, more secure AI integration across federal...
TikTok Adds Feature to Filter Out AI Beauty Filters
TikTok has introduced a new setting that lets users completely block AI-driven beauty filters, aiming to reduce pressure from unrealistic visual standards. The episode discusses how this move reflects growing concerns about digital self-image and the platform's effort to promote...
Suno Secures Funding Boost of $200M Post-Warner Deal
The episode discusses Suno's recent $200 million funding round, which follows its new partnership with Warner Music. Executives outline plans for accelerated product upgrades that aim to streamline music creation workflows, while analysts predict the infusion could fundamentally reshape how artists...