Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently described physical AI, a category that includes robots that can perceive, understand and act in the real world, as the next wave in artificial intelligence. So in the last episode before Derby Mill’s summer break, and our first-ever in-person recording session, the team of Ajay Agrawal, Rich Sutton, Sendhil Mullainathan and Niamh Gavin welcome Suzanne Gildert, the CEO and founder of Nirvanic Consciousness Technologies in Vancouver, BC.
Gildert is a pioneering figure in the humanoid robotics community. Here, she discusses with the Derby Mill team such questions as: Why now for humanoid robots? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the bipedal human form factor? What makes humanoid robots difficult to create? The episode concludes with Ajay asking the team what they want listeners to think about during our two-month summer break. See you in September!
GUESTS AND HOSTS
Suzanne Gildert, co-founder & CEO, Nirvanic Consciousness Technologies
Ajay Agrawal, co-founder and partner, Intrepid Growth Partners
Richard Sutton, senior advisor, Intrepid Growth Partners, 2024 Turing Award recipient, pioneer of reinforcement learning and professor, University of Alberta
Sendhil Mullainathan, senior advisor, Intrepid Growth Partners, MacArthur Genius grant recipient and professor, MIT
Niamh Gavin, senior advisor, Intrepid Growth Partners, Applied AI scientist, CEO, Emergent Platforms
LINKS
Nirvanic Consciousness Technologies homepage
The Jenson Huang / NVIDIA presentation Ajay references early in the episode. Reuters story
Both Sendhil and Rich love the sci-fi novels of Iain Banks
Derby Mill show website
Rich Sutton’s home page. Follow Rich on X
Sendhil Mullainathan’s website. Follow Sendhil on X
Be sure to catch every episode of The Derby Mill Series by subscribing on the following platforms:
YouTube // Spotify // Apple Podcasts // Substack
DISCUSSION POINTS
00:00 Cold open
01:52 Welcome and intro to humanoid robots and Suzanne Gildert
04:20 What’s so hard about building a humanoid robot?
06:15 The complexity of the human body
07:55 So why bother making a humanoid robot?
09:30 Why are humanoid robots so hot right now?
10:50 Why now: AI software
15:49 Rich Sutton explains why humanoid robots are so intriguing
17:05 Can we code robots the same way we approached LLMs?
20:30 Teaching robots with reinforcement learning in simulation
21:47 Sendhil: How important are humanoid robots?
29:10 Niamh: Is the bipedal form factor the best all-around solution?
37:15 Sendhil: What about hybrid human-robot creatures?
41:15 Agent architecture and humanoid robots
44:35 The idea that we explore by random action selection
48:00 Suzanne on types of decision making
52:13 Decision making as centrepiece of economics, and AI
57:19 Quantum physics and self-aware AI
1:00:50 Defining consciousness
1:05:00 Lightning round: Niamh on cost of experimentation
1:06:33 LR: Ajay on what’s RLable
1:07:37 LR: Rich on AI disillusionment
1:08:40 LR: Suzanne on AI consciousness
1:10:20 LR: Sendhil on the “what is AI” turf war
1:18:18 Ajay wraps up season 1
NUGGETS
Nugget 1 - Cost of Experimentation
Intrepid's Ajay Agrawal asks AI scientist Niamh Gavin to name one topic for listeners to reflect on over Derby Mill's summer break.
Nugget 2 - AI Disillusionment and Turf Wars
Intrepid's Ajay Agrawal asks Turing Award winner Rich Sutton to name one topic for listeners to reflect on over Derby Mill's summer break.
Nugget 3 - Consciousness and Empathy
Intrepid's Ajay Agrawal asks Nirvanic CEO Suzanne Gildert to name one topic for listeners to reflect on over Derby Mill's summer break. Her response is to appeal to viewers to question any fearful reaction they have to the notion of conscious AI.
DISCLAIMER
The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as marketing, solicitation, or an offer to buy or sell any securities or investments. The opinions expressed in this video are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of Intrepid Growth Partners or its affiliates. Any discussion of specific companies, technologies, or industries is for illustrative purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to consult with their own financial, legal, and tax advisors before making any investment decisions.
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