Tech Turns to Mining, Meta VR Layoffs, Thinking Machines Shakeup | Matthew Prince, Chirantan Desai, Delian Asparouhov, Deepak Pathak, David Tearse, Blake Resnick

Overview

This episode dives into the intersection of technology and industrial advancements, exploring themes like big tech's pivot to mining, the challenges of AI-driven industries, and the evolving landscape of robotics and data centers. Featuring insights from industry leaders, the discussion spans topics from Meta's VR layoffs to the rise of robotics in public safety and enterprise applications.

Notable Quotes

- Robotics is not a new field—it precedes computers and AI. The challenge is not the hardware but the brain powering it. - Deepak Pathak, on the evolution of robotics.

- The world shouldn’t have one AI company or five; we should aim for 500,000 AI companies. - Matthew Prince, on fostering competition in AI.

- Why wouldn't you take a T. Rowe Price, who will likely underwrite your IPO and scale with you as a public company? - Delian Asparouhov, on the shifting dynamics of venture capital and late-stage funding.

🛠️ Big Tech Turns to Mining

- Tesla and AWS are investing in refining raw materials like lithium and copper to address supply chain bottlenecks critical for AI and EV industries.

- Tesla's Texas lithium refinery can produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide, reducing reliance on China's rare earth dominance.

- AWS is partnering with Rio Tinto to develop a new copper refining process, potentially unlocking 70% of uneconomical copper reserves.

🌐 Internet Censorship and Global Implications

- Matthew Prince of Cloudflare discusses a €14 million fine from Italy's AGCOM for failing to block pirated content.

- The law allows media executives to blacklist websites globally within 30 minutes, raising concerns about overreach and censorship.

- Prince highlights the broader issue of Europe using U.S. tech companies as piggy banks through fines, calling for a level playing field in global internet governance.

🤖 Robotics and AI Integration

- Deepak Pathak of Skild AI emphasizes the need for robots to operate alongside humans in unpredictable environments, starting with enterprise applications like warehouses and delivery systems.

- Skild AI's $1.4 billion funding round values the company at $14 billion, focusing on a general-purpose robot brain adaptable to various forms.

- Pathak highlights the scarcity of robotics data compared to other AI fields and the company's approach of learning from human videos and simulations to bootstrap development.

🔥 Data Centers and Thermal Management

- David Tearse of Carmen Industries introduces a heat processing unit (HPU) for gigawatt-scale AI data centers, reducing cooling energy consumption by up to 60%.

- The HPU uses supercritical CO2 for efficient heat removal and opens possibilities for waste heat reuse, such as converting it back to electricity or heating local communities.

- Carmen Industries plans to scale production to 100 units annually, addressing the growing demand for sustainable data center infrastructure.

🚁 Drones in Public Safety

- Blake Resnick of Brink Drones showcases drones designed for SWAT teams and 911 response, including features like glass-breaking capabilities, thermal imaging, and two-way communication.

- Brink's drones are deployed in 20% of U.S. SWAT teams and aim to expand into broader public safety and industrial applications.

- Resnick discusses the recent U.S. ban on foreign drones, emphasizing the need for a DJI of the West to build domestic drone manufacturing capacity.