Although it has been several years since the day's event focused on the last topic, AI has not missed the opportunity to shape the future of AI as it transforms its tech landscape, delves deeper into 1,200 founders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, investors and what's next.
On June 5th, at Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley, California, TechCrunch Session: AI lands at the intersection of startups and the rapidly evolving AI boom.
If you're building with high tech and want to be smart about where the industry stands and where it's heading, then this is the room you can enter.
Book today's Early Bird Pass to save up to $210 on your ticket. Book your team and save more.
Join the Deep Dive AI Discussion
On the stage, AI on the stage shapes AI, including humanity co-founder Jared Kaplan, Databricks co-founder Ion Stoica, top executives from ElevenLabs and Deepmind, as well as investors from Accel, Capitalg, Khosla Ventures and Nea.
Behind the scenes, you connect with founders, scientists and engineers who build the next thing with AI. Also, don't miss out on hands-on breakout sessions with Openai, Cohere, and the Global Innovation Forum.
This is just the beginning. It will be announced soon on the Event Agenda page.
So, without further ado, look at the complete agenda and innovators driving the AI revolution.
Full Main Stage Agenda for TC Sessions: AI
AI Frontier: Fireplace Chat with Humanity Co-Founder Jared Kaplan
Jared Kaplan (Anthropology)
In this fireside chat, humanity co-founder and chief science officer Jared Kaplan shares his vision of how humans interact with computers, jobs, and how they interact with each other. With the expected broad conversation, he discusses how major labs are moving forward with AI models and what they are on the horizon of the tech industry. Kaplan also delves into humanity's efforts to build a close AI system, provide his predictions about AGI, and share the ways in which society believes should be prepared for the future.
From seed to series C: What VCS wants to see from founders
Jill Chase (Capital), Kanugrati (Khosla Ventures), Sara Ittelson (Accel)
AI controls venture capital, with investments increasing by 62% in 2024 to $110 billion. However, hitting “AI” on a pitch deck is not enough. As Foundation Models hype fades, investors are focusing on real-world applications, AI agents, and sustainable business models. In this talk, Top VCS will share what they really need to secure funding at every stage, from seed to Series C, and what they are currently looking for in AI startups.
Focuses on AI ethics and safety at Ion Stoica and Artemis Seaford
Artemis Seaford (Elevenlabs) and Ion Stoica (UC Berkeley)
Artemis Seaford, Head of AI Safety at ElevenLabs, joins Ion Stoica, co-founder and executive chairman of Databricks, to highlight the ethical and safety issues surrounding AI today. The two discuss deepfake, a hotter topic as AI tools become cheaper and easier to use. It also provides potential mitigations to enable developers and businesses to deploy AI more responsibly.
So, do you think you can pitch?
Impress a panel of VC judges who witnessed three promising early stage startup pitches and provide valuable feedback. This is your chance to hear diverse pitch angles and gain insight into what VC leaders are looking for in a viable startup.
How Founders build on existing foundation models
Logan Kilpatrick (Google Deepmind) and Jae Lee (Twelvelabs)
AI models are evolving at the speed of lightning. Every week, it feels like there's something more powerful and new. In this session, we will talk about major AI companies and how startups can leverage basic models to build innovative solutions. With the fast pace of change, we dive into ways ahead of the curve and grow alongside the AI industry.
How to release a product to a confirmed current employee
Oliver Cameron (Odyssey) and Anne Boldetsky (NEA)
Breakthroughs in the AI sector can be tough, especially as funded incumbents lead the charges. But that doesn't mean that new businesses can't succeed. In this session, we share how the founders of a breakout AI startup have thrived and beaten the toughest competition in the industry.
Breakout session lineup
These interactive Q&A sessions are still added to the AI Agenda, which is a TC session. Below are some highlights of what you can expect. Be sure to check the Event Agenda page for the latest updates.
Building an AI Engine: How Openai works in Startups
Hao San (Openai)
In the rapidly evolving AI landscape, startups can gain competitiveness by working closely with model providers. Join Hao Sang from Openai's Startups team to participate in a session measuring Openai's resources from technical guidance to advanced model access. Learn how feedback from startups shapes the Openai roadmap and ensure that your products evolve to meet your needs.
Behind the Firewall: Secure Generation AI for Regulated Enterprises
Yann Stoneman (Cohere)
Have you ever wondered how to use advanced generation AI in healthcare or finance without worrying about data privacy? Join this interactive breakout session. Here, Yann Stoneman, Staff Solutions Architect from Cohere, and three expert panelists lead the 50-minute discussion. Learn how to deploy secure, customized AI models (no external cloud required) through real use cases for Cohere's North (Agent AI Workspace) and Compass (Multimodal Search) platforms. Navigate compliance challenges and find actionable tips for delivering tangible value through private AI systems, allowing internal data to be safely unlocked and delivered. Expect a dynamic session filled with demos, Q&A, and audience interactions.
AI Policy Playbook: What Global Startups Need to Know
Hua Wang (Global Innovation Forum)
While AI is revolutionizing how startups work, navigating policies, regulations, and global expansion still presents challenges. This breakout session explores how startups can leverage AI-driven tools for digital trading, compliance and scaling across boundaries. Participants will gain insight into the key policies that shape AI startups, strategies for navigating data regulations, and how AI can be used to drive international growth. Whether you are a founder, investor, or policy maker, this session offers practical takeaways to transform AI into the competitive advantages of a rapidly changing global landscape.
Join and save deep dive AI conversations
This is just the beginning. Add even more exciting deep dive sessions to your TC sessions to your AI ecosystem: AI Agenda. Don't miss the chance to jump into these discussions and receive questions from some of the biggest names in AI. Plus save $210 on the early bird rate! Sign up now before ticket prices go up.