The Generative AI Meetup Podcast
Hosted by Mark and Shashank, software engineers and organizers in Silicon Valley. Get their grounded perspective each week as they explore the generative AI landscape through news analysis, tech discussions, hands-on experiments, and clear explanations. Dive into the latest language models, AI agent capabilities, and RAG techniques. Understand the hardware race, key research, startup trends, benchmarks, and the real-world impact of AI across industries like healthcare, robotics, and creative work. We also test AI limits, explain core concepts, discuss ethics, and interview builders shaping the field. For engineers, developers, researchers, and anyone seeking a practical understanding of AI’s rapid evolution and its applications.
Episodes

Thursday Mar 21, 2024
Thursday Mar 21, 2024
In this week’s episode, we dive deep into the rapid advancements in technology as highlighted by Nvidia's recent GTC conference. Our hosts unravel the complexities and innovations behind Nvidia's latest announcements, focusing on the groundbreaking Blackwell chip and the significant strides in GPU technology. They demystify the technical jargon, offering a clearer understanding of how these developments are propelling computing power forward at an unprecedented pace, far beyond Moore's Law's predictions.
The discussion also explores Nvidia's venture into robotics with Project GR00T, illustrating how software advancements are enabling humanoid robots to learn and perform tasks by observing the real world. This episode sheds light on the fascinating intersection of hardware enhancements and software ingenuity, painting a picture of a future where technology's potential seems limitless. Tune in for an enlightening conversation on how these technological leaps are shaping the future of computing, artificial intelligence, and robotics, making what once seemed like science fiction increasingly a part of our reality.

Thursday Mar 14, 2024
Thursday Mar 14, 2024
In this episode, we delve into the practical applications and implications of Devin AI, described as the first AI software engineer, and Figure AI's robot, which utilizes ChatGPT for task execution. We examine how Devin AI aims to automate aspects of coding, potentially changing the software development landscape, and how Figure AI's robot represents a step towards integrating AI more deeply into everyday tasks and environments. Through discussions on the capabilities, limitations, and future prospects of these technologies, we aim to provide a balanced view of their impact on the tech industry, the evolving role of human-AI collaboration, and what these developments mean for the future of work and daily life. Join us for a grounded conversation on the current state and future possibilities of AI in shaping our world.
Mark's GPT Engineer: https://github.com/kuczmama/gpt-engineer
Devin AI: https://www.cognition-labs.com/blog
Figure AI: https://www.figure.ai

Thursday Mar 07, 2024
Thursday Mar 07, 2024
In this captivating episode, join Shashank and Mark as they delve into the dynamic realm of Generative AI, spotlighting the formidable contenders challenging GPT-4's dominance. Discover the latest breakthroughs with models like Claude 3, Mistral, and Gemini, each bringing unique strengths to the forefront of AI development. The discussion doesn't stop at software; our hosts guide you through the complex ecosystem that enables these AI marvels, including the critical roles of chip manufacturing giants like TSMC and innovative companies like ASML. From exploring the intricate relationships between AI advancements, hardware innovation, and semiconductor manufacturing to speculating on the future of artificial general intelligence (AGI), this episode demystifies the layers of technology that fuel today's AI revolution.

Thursday Feb 29, 2024
Thursday Feb 29, 2024
In this episode , we sit down with Roger Rappoport, a pivotal figure in the Startup community in the SF Peninsula, who has been instrumental in shaping the success of our Generative AI Meetup group. He's helped us host monthly events at the Procopio Law offices in Palo Alto. Roger brings a wealth of experience from his journey as a recovering entrepreneur to becoming a leading legal expert, guiding startups from inception through to acquisition. We delve into Roger's transition from entrepreneurship to law, his pivotal role in the Silicon Valley bubble, and the evolution of the startup ecosystem. Roger shares invaluable advice on the importance of early legal guidance for startups, insights into funding trends, and the transformative impact of Generative AI on businesses and the legal profession. Join us as we explore the intersections of technology, law, and entrepreneurship with one of Silicon Valley's most influential legal advisors.
https://www.procopio.com/people/roger-c-rappoport/
https://accesssiliconvalley.net/

Thursday Feb 22, 2024
Thursday Feb 22, 2024
Join us as we dive deep into the latest developments in artificial intelligence and technology. From groundbreaking algorithms like Stable Diffusion Three to the emergence of Gemma in the open-source community, they explore the implications for industries ranging from filmmaking to software development. With candid discussions on the future of AI and its impact on various professions, this podcast offers insights into the ever-evolving landscape of technology and its role in shaping our world.
Gemma Open source models: https://blog.google/technology/developers/gemma-open-models/
Stable Diffusion 3: https://stability.ai/news/stable-diffusion-3
Andrej Karpathy's GPT Tokenizer class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zduSFxRajkE

Thursday Feb 15, 2024
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
This episode dives into a trio of significant developments shaking the foundations of artificial intelligence. First, we explore OpenAI's unveiling of Sora, a cutting-edge model that transforms text prompts into stunning video content, heralding a new era of creative possibilities. Next, we turn our attention to Google's Gemini 1.5 Pro, which boasts a one million token context window, vastly expanding AI's understanding and memory capabilities. This monumental upgrade from GPT-4's limitations opens up new frontiers for research and application. Lastly, we discuss Andrej Karpathy's departure from OpenAI, reflecting on his contributions and speculating on his future endeavors that continue to shape the AI landscape. Join us for insightful discussions on these breakthroughs and their profound implications on technology, creativity, and the future of AI innovation.

Friday Feb 09, 2024
Friday Feb 09, 2024
In this riveting episode of our Generative AI Meetup podcast, we dive deep into the transformative world of Generative AI with Carter Rabasa, a seasoned Developer Relations Manager at DataStax. With over 20 years of experience in the tech industry, Carter shares his unique journey from software engineering to the forefront of developer relations, highlighting pivotal moments at Microsoft and Twilio. He offers an in-depth look at the evolution of API and developer ecosystems, the emergence of Generative AI, and the crucial role of developer relations in fostering innovation and community engagement.
Carter discusses the significance of DataStax's Astra DB in leveraging NoSQL and vector databases for Generative AI applications, emphasizing the simplicity and power of building retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) solutions. He paints a vivid picture of the potential future applications, from enhanced organizational search capabilities to intuitive, conversational interfaces that could revolutionize user interaction with data.
For those curious about stepping into the world of developer relations or Generative AI, Carter offers invaluable advice and insights, underlining the importance of empathy, technical proficiency, and a genuine desire to support developer success. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the cutting-edge of technology and the community-driven efforts shaping the next wave of digital innovation.

Monday Feb 05, 2024
Monday Feb 05, 2024
In the latest episode of "The Generative AI Meetup Podcast," we had the pleasure of sitting down with Yi Ding, the esteemed Head of TypeScript and Partnerships at LlamaIndex. With an impressive career that spans across leading tech giants like Apple and Citadel Security, Yi brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Currently at the helm of LlamaIndex, Yi is deeply involved in pioneering efforts to harness the power of generative AI for innovative applications.
Throughout our conversation, Yi shared insights into his professional journey, shedding light on the path that led him to where he is today. We delved into the core functionalities and use-cases of LlamaIndex, exploring how this platform stands at the intersection of AI and industry needs. Yi also gave us a glimpse into the future, discussing the challenges LlamaIndex is aiming to tackle and the potential solutions they are developing.
A significant portion of our discussion was dedicated to philosophizing about the broader implications of AI scaling and its impact on various sectors. Yi's perspectives provided thought-provoking views on how AI is reshaping the technological landscape and what it means for the future of innovation.
Please note that the audio quality of this episode may not be up to our usual standards, as the interview was conducted in the lively and bustling environment of a hackathon lobby. We appreciate your understanding and hope you find the insights shared by Yi Ding as enriching and inspiring as we did.

Thursday Feb 01, 2024
Thursday Feb 01, 2024
Join us as we dive into the latest in technology and AI. We're starting with Facebook's Code LLama, a new large language model aimed at transforming coding. We'll also explore Apple's Vision Pro, highlighting its unique applications and eye tracking technology. Hear about the Rabbit R1, a device designed to automate tasks with the power of AI, and discuss the future of user interfaces where AI simplifies complex actions. Plus, we'll cover the costs associated with training these large models and the feasibility of running open-source models on standard GPUs. Perfect for tech enthusiasts and professionals looking to stay ahead in the digital world.

Friday Jan 26, 2024
Friday Jan 26, 2024
In this exciting episode of "The Generative AI Meetup Podcast," we sit down for a brief yet enlightening interview with Audrey Sage Lorberfeld, a Senior Developer Advocate at Pinecone. With a remarkable five years of experience as a search engineer for renowned companies like Reddit, IBM, and Shopify, Audrey is deeply passionate about the fascinating intersection of information retrieval and AI. Her true calling lies in teaching fellow developers about this evolving space.
Yesterday, Audrey delivered an engaging talk about Pinecone's groundbreaking new product, Canopy, and the art of building a RAG (retrieval augmented generation) application. In this podcast episode, we delve deeper into the world of vector databases, Pinecone, Canopy, and explore the diverse use cases they enable.
Join us on this enlightening journey as we uncover the answers to essential questions:
What exactly is a vector database, and why is it crucial in the realm of AI and information retrieval?
What is Pinecone, and how is it revolutionizing the way we handle vector search and similarity ranking at scale?
Dive into the specifics of Canopy, Pinecone's latest innovation, and learn how it can supercharge your AI applications.
Discover a range of use cases where vector databases, Pinecone, and Canopy can make a profound impact.
Whether you're a seasoned AI professional or a curious developer looking to expand your knowledge, this episode promises valuable insights and an engaging discussion. Don't miss this opportunity to stay at the forefront of the AI and information retrieval landscape.
For more information and resources, be sure to check out the show notes:
Canopy: https://github.com/pinecone-io/canopy
Pinecone: https://www.pinecone.io/
Tune in to "The Generative AI Meetup Podcast" and stay informed about the latest developments in AI, information retrieval, and the incredible world of Pinecone and Canopy.