In this episode of FYI, Brett Winton, ARK’s Chief Futurist and Frank Downing, ARK’s Director of Research, Next Generation Internet, welcome Manu Sharma, founder of Labelbox. The conversation examines the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) since the introduction of ChatGPT, highlighting how Labelbox has adapted from basic data labeling to sophisticated AI alignment using Ph.D.-level experts. They explore the profound changes in the AI landscape, the significance of reinforcement learning from human feedback, and the future of AI in increasing productivity and transforming industries. Listen in as they uncover the trends driving AI innovation and the growing importance of human preferences in shaping powerful models.

"There is a really interesting development happening in the industry, which is all these models had to get bigger only to get smaller." - Manu Sharma

Key Points From This Episode:

• The shift from traditional data labeling to sophisticated AI alignment post-ChatGPT.
• The role of Ph.D.-level experts in training and aligning foundation models.
• How RLHF (Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback) has become essential in AI development.
• The impact of generative AI on enterprise productivity and consumer applications.
• The concept of model distillation and its importance in creating efficient, smaller models.
• The future potential of AI assistants and the economic implications of AI pricing models.
• Labelbox’s evolution into a data factory, powering major foundation models with high-quality data.
• The ongoing challenges in AI, including the need for better reasoning capabilities in models.
• The distinction between pre-training and post-training data needs and strategies.
• The potential of AI in real-world applications, including robotics and specialized industry

Typically, in coordination with Bitcoin Park, ARK publishes a monthly conversation with leaders in the bitcoin space, to discuss everything happening in the rapidly-changing and still nascent bitcoin ecosystem. This month’s edition of the Bitcoin Brainstorm, however, features Preston Pysh, Show Host and Co-Founder of The Investor’s Podcast Network and General Partner at Ego Death Capital, interviewing ARK CEO and CIO Cathie Wood and famed economist Dr. Art Laffer at the Bitcoin conference in Nashville, Tennessee. They covered all things bitcoin, ranging from why each grew interested in bitcoin to begin with, all the way to what they see for the bitcoin space in the future. 

Guests on this month’s Bitcoin Brainstorm include:

Preston Pysh: Show Host and Co-Founder of The Investor’s Podcast Network and General Partner at Ego Death Capital

Cathie Wood: Founder, CEO and CIO, ARK Invest

Dr. Art Laffer: Economist

• ARK’s early interest in bitcoin

• How Dr. Art Laffer was first introduced to bitcoin

• Some history of money, as told by Dr. Art Laffer

• Bitcoin's monetary policy and how it relates to supply-side economics

• Bitcoin's positioning as private money in the world stage

• Inherent anonymity of bitcoin and its importance

• The future of bitcoin

·      Learn more about Bitcoin Park: bitcoinpark.com

Are LLM wrappers a viable business model? This week, Autonomous Technology and Robotics Director of Research Sam Korus and Associate Portfolio Manager Nick Grous are joined by ARK Chief Futurist Brett Winton to discuss how to capture economic value in an AI age.

If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Public.com. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Amazon demonstrates the developer time savings of deploying it's own internal AI tool
• A discussion around the economic ROI of AI

For more updates on Public.com:

Website: https://public.com/

YouTube: @publicinvest

Twitter: https://twitter.com/public

In this episode of FYI, Brett Winton and Nick Grous sit down with Daril Fannin and Austin Worrell from Kino to discuss how their innovative platform is reshaping the film and television industry. Daril and Austin share their unique journeys and the inspiration behind Kino, a platform designed to democratize content distribution for independent filmmakers. They explore how Kino leverages interactivity and data-driven insights to offer fans a premium, interactive movie premiere experience from the comfort of their homes, challenging the traditional Hollywood model. Tune in to learn how Kino aims to empower the next generation of filmmakers and transform how we engage with content.

"What we do is we give fans the ability to get the experience of a Hollywood red carpet premiere from the comfort of your own living room." - Daril Fannin

Key Points From This Episode:

• The inspiration behind Kino, rooted in the founders' diverse backgrounds.
• The inefficiencies and inequities in the traditional Hollywood system.
• How Kino provides a digital box office experience, enabling fans to interact with filmmakers.
• The role of interactivity in Kino’s platform, blending social media and streaming.
• The challenges independent filmmakers face in today's content distribution landscape.
• How Kino offers data-driven insights to filmmakers, enhancing content monetization.
• The evolving landscape of content consumption and the shift towards interactive experiences.
• Kino’s strategy to empower filmmakers and meet the demands of modern audiences.
• A comparison between traditional streaming platforms and Kino’s innovative approach.
• Predictions for the future of entertainment, focusing on democratization and interactivity.

Is there a home insurance crisis? This week, Autonomous Technology and Robotics Director of Research Sam Korus and Associate Portfolio Manager Nick Grous are joined by Kyla Scanlon to discuss the issues surrounding home insurance and its connection to housing supply, climate change, reinsurance, and regulation.

If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Public.com. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Home insurance is a critical issue due to the gap between housing supply and available insurance.
• The increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters have made insurance more expensive and led to insurers pulling out of certain markets.
• Regulation plays a role in the affordability and availability of home insurance, with some states capping insurance rate increases.
• The home insurance crisis has implications for the U.S. economy and consumer sentiment, as homeownership is a significant contributor to asset wealth creation.
• Possible solutions include legal reform, micro insurance products, collaborative programs, and building climate resilient homes.

For more updates on Public.com:

Website: https://public.com/

YouTube: @publicinvest

Twitter: https://twitter.com/public

In this episode of FYI, Brett Winton, ARK’s Chief Futurist, engages in a compelling conversation with Rob Wolcott, author of Proximity: How Coming Breakthroughs Will Transform Business, Society, and Daily Life. They explore how digital technologies are pushing production and value creation closer to the moment of demand, reshaping industries from manufacturing to healthcare. Rob discusses the concept of proximity and its implications for business strategy, resilience, and customization, offering insights into the future of technology and its impact on our daily lives.

"In the future, all content will be produced in real time for an audience of one." - Rob Wolcott

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introduction to Rob Wolcott and his book, Proximity: How Coming Breakthroughs Will Transform Business, Society, and Daily Life.
• The fundamental differences between digital and industrial-age technologies.
• How proximity can predict the future direction of industries.
• The impact of proximity on manufacturing, including the role of additive manufacturing.
• The role of AI in enhancing proximity by providing real-time, customized content.
• The implications of proximity for healthcare, particularly in early diagnosis and personalized treatments.
• Discussion on the economic and strategic benefits of reshoring and localized production.
• The potential societal effects of increased atomization through technology.
• The role of humanoid robots and autonomous vehicles in a proximate world.
• Predictions on how proximity will continue to evolve and influence various sectors.

Are we entering a no-code future? This week, Autonomous Technology and Robotics Director of Research Sam Korus and Associate Portfolio Manager Nick Grous are joined by Next Generation Internet Director of Research Frank Downing to discuss Sakana AI, a project by an AI research lab in Japan that aims to automate the scientific method. The team has created a system that can generate research ideas, write code for experiments, and produce academic papers. While the system shows promise, it has limitations and is better at tasks it was trained on. The conversation also touches on the future of coding, the potential for a no-code future, and the importance of communication skills in working with AI.

If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Public.com. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Sakana AI is a project that aims to automate the scientific method by generating research ideas, writing code for experiments, and producing academic papers.
• The system shows promise in accelerating the research process and generating new ideas, but it has limitations and is better at tasks it was trained on.
• The future of coding may involve higher levels of abstraction, with AI systems generating code based on human language prompts.
• There is a potential shift towards a no-code future, where people can get what they need from AI systems through simple text prompts.
• Effective communication skills will become increasingly important in working with AI systems, as they rely on clear instructions and prompts.

For more updates on Public.com:

Website: https://public.com/

YouTube: @publicinvest

Twitter: https://twitter.com/public

On this episode of FYI, ARK’s Chief Futurist Brett Winton and Venture Capital Research Associate Chase Prather welcome Ilya Strebulaev, author of "The Venture Mindset" and a professor at Stanford University. With over 20 years of experience teaching private equity principles and venture capital, Ilya shares invaluable insights from his book. The conversation covers the unique decision-making approaches of venture capitalists, the importance of embracing uncertainty, and practical applications of the venture mindset for corporate leaders and investors. 

"Conviction beats consensus every single time in the venture capital environment." - Ilya Strebulaev 

• Introduction of Ilya Strebulaev and his background.
• Discussion on the importance of a venture mindset in decision-making.
• The concept of "agree to disagree" and its significance in venture capital.
• Examples of successful and unsuccessful corporate venture investments.
• The role of charisma and resilience in identifying great founders.
• Differences between corporate venture funds and traditional VC firms.
• The impact of leadership and long-term incentives on corporate innovation.
• The necessity of dynamic decision-making in uncertain environments.
• The future of artificial intelligence (AI) in venture capital and its limitations.
• The importance of structured decision-making processes in organizations.

Is nuclear on the rise? This week, Autonomous Technology and Robotics Director of Research Sam Korus and Associate Portfolio Manager Nick Grous are joined by ARK Research Associate Lorenzo Valente to discuss Jump Crypto and electricity cost declines

If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Public.com. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Is crypto unwinding?
• The economics of nuclear energy

For more updates on Public.com:

Website: https://public.com/

YouTube: @publicinvest

Twitter: https://twitter.com/public

On this episode of FYI, ARK’s Chief Futurist Brett Winton, and Chief Investment Strategist Charlie Roberts sit down with artificial intelligence (Al) luminary Andrew Ng to explore the deployment of artificial intelligence and the evolution of AI education. Andrew shares insights from his extensive career, including his work with Google Brain, Baidu, Coursera, and his current AI fund. We analyze the transformative potential of AI, especially in how large corporations can harness it, the progression toward agentic systems, and the contentious topic of open-source AI. This episode provides a comprehensive overview of AI's current status and future trajectory, offering invaluable insights for technology enthusiasts.

"For the last 10-15 years, there have constantly been a small number of voices saying AI is hitting a wall. I think that a lot of statements to that effect were all over and over proven to be wrong. I think we're so far from hitting a wall." -Andrew Ng 

- Andrew Ng's significant contributions to AI and education through various platforms

- Insights into the deployment challenges and future potentials of AI in business

- The role of agentic systems in advancing AI applications

- The impact of open source on innovation and the AI industry

- Distribution and data generation in AI's effectiveness