In the more than 200 episodes I’ve done for this podcast, never has the designation “legend” been more appropriate. Esther Dyson is a legend of modern technology, having been present for so many key moments from the early PC era through to the AI era. She’s advised, interviewed and mentored basically every major tech figure over the last several decades. Dyson shares her unique journey from growing up in a family of prominent scientists to becoming a leading figure in tech investing and journalism. She discusses her philosophy of embracing mistakes, the evolution of her career, and her insights into the tech landscape, including the dot-com bubble and the rise of AI. Dyson also reflects on her experiences in Eastern Europe, health tech initiatives, and her adventures in space, culminating in a captivating story about a cosmonaut suit.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Connection

03:42 Growing Up in a Unique Environment

10:12 Transitioning to Tech and Investing

18:03 Creating Impactful Conferences

22:35 Navigating the Dot Com Bubble

27:25 Reflections on Predictions and AI

32:31 Governance and the Evolution of the Internet

40:03 Investment Philosophy and Learning from Experience

45:19 Eastern Europe: A Tech Narrative

54:42 Investing in Space: A Personal Journey

Takeaways

Always make new mistakes to learn and grow.

Understanding economics can change the world more than politics.

Journalism trains you to ask the right questions.

Investing is about learning, not just earning.

Creating impactful conferences requires engaging formats.

The dot-com bubble taught valuable lessons about business models.

Investing in Eastern Europe was a rewarding experience.

Health tech initiatives should aim to empower communities.

AI's future is uncertain, but its impact is undeniable.

Personal experiences shape investment decisions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry Blodget shares his journey from a history major to a prominent figure in finance and journalism, discussing the rise of the internet, the dot-com bubble, and the lessons learned from that era. He reflects on his career, including his famous $400 price target Amazon prediction, the evolution of media with the launch of Business Insider, and the current landscape of AI and investing.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Early Life

02:42 Career Beginnings in Journalism

05:44 Transition to Finance and Technology

08:19 Analyzing Internet Companies

11:33 The Internet Boom and IPOs

14:39 Lessons from the Dot-Com Bubble

17:40 The Rise of Influencers in Finance

20:34 The Amazon Call and Its Impact

23:21 Wall Street's Perspective on Tech Companies

26:45 The AOL Time Warner Lesson

29:47 Merrill Lynch and Global Internet Research

32:38 Post-Bubble Reflections and Reinvention

35:31 The Birth of Business Insider

38:39 The Evolution of Media and Journalism

41:37 Building a Talented Newsroom

44:28 Parallels Between AI and the Dot-Com Era

47:46 Advice for Individual Investors

50:33 New York City as a Startup Ecosystem

53:44 Current Projects and Future Aspirations

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugging Face Founder Clément Delangue discusses his journey to founding Hugging Face, emphasizing the importance of community, collaboration, and open-source technology in the AI landscape. He reflects on the evolution of AI technology, the significance of user feedback, and the need for a diverse range of AI models.

Takeaways

• Clem's first computer experience involved internet trading with siblings.
• Minitel was a significant early digital communication tool in France.
• Clem transitioned from being a successful eBay seller to an intern at eBay.
• Unishared aimed to create a collaborative platform for students.
• Moot Stocks introduced Clem to computer vision and AI technologies.
• Mention was a social listening startup that brought Clem to New York.
• New York's tech scene offers a blend of European and American cultures.
• Hugging Face started as a chatbot project but pivoted to open-source AI.
• The name Hugging Face was inspired by the popularity of emojis.
• Clem emphasizes the importance of community feedback in product development.

Chapters:

00:00 The Early Days of Computing and Internet Trading

03:02 Minitel: A French Innovation in Digital Communication

05:05 From eBay Seller to Intern: A Journey Begins

07:10 The Birth of Unishared: Collaborative Learning for Students

10:23 Moot Stocks: Exploring Computer Vision and AI

12:55 Mention: Social Listening and the Move to New York

14:44 The New York Tech Scene: A Blend of Cultures

16:45 Founding Hugging Face: The AI BFF Chatbot

19:06 The Name Behind Hugging Face: A Playful Choice

21:02 Pivoting to Open Source: The Birth of a New Vision

23:58 Building a Community: The Power of Collaboration

26:37 Navigating User Feedback: Balancing Vision and Signals

28:51 Investor Relations: Framing a Pivot

31:19 Positioning as Switzerland: Neutrality in AI

34:06 The Business Model of Hugging Face: Freemium Success

35:51 Evaluating AI Models: A New Approach

40:33 The Need for Open Source AI Models

42:27 Fostering Open Data Initiatives: A Call to Action

45:18 The Future of Open AI: Efficiency and Specialization

48:05 The AI Bubble: Reality vs. Perception

49:30 The Growing Startup Ecosystem in Europe

51:11 Why New York City is Ideal for AI Startups

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.