AI’s Next Leap: Hyper-Realistic Agents & Unlimited Power | E2094

Today’s show: AI is evolving at lightning speed—smarter assistants, faster models, and now, the massive energy demands that come with it. In this episode, Alex dives into two cutting-edge companies from the TWIST 500 that are shaping AI’s future in very different ways. First, Alex interviews Zap Energy, where CEO Benj Conway explains how their breakthrough fusion power technology could provide unlimited, clean energy to fuel AI and beyond. Then, we talk to PolyAI, where CEO Nikola Mrkšić shares how their conversational AI is revolutionizing customer service with ultra-realistic, human-like voice assistants. If you're excited about where AI is headed—from hyper-realistic agents to a future powered by fusion—this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Speakers

AI Chat

Alex Wilhelm

Host • 30%

Unidentified

Nikola Mrkšić

Guest • 30%

Benj Conway

Guest • 28%

Jason Calacanis

Host • 10%

Unidentified

Partners

Chapters

0:00	AI's impact on business and technology; Fusion technology; AI powered voice assistants
1:12	Sponsor: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
1:29	Sponsor: Squarespace
1:51	Power demands of AI; Fusion energy's potential and commercialization
6:50	Zap Energy's approach to scaling and efficiency in fusion
12:11	Zap Energy's Sentry project and the future of fusion power
18:02	Competition in fusion development and importance of liquid metal walls
21:38	Thermal management in fusion energy and Zap Energy's milestones
24:19	PolyAI's CEO on conversational AI and generative AI
28:39	Founding PolyAI and advancements in AI technology
32:30	PolyAI's technology stack and deep learning advancements
39:13	Growth, competitive landscape, and AI's impact on employment
46:16	Startups M&A in applied AI and conclusion with Nikola Mrkšić
47:56	Introduction to Twist 500 project
48:29	Closing remarks and podcast schedule

Transcript

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