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cover of episode Can Smaller Startups Compete in the AI Race?

Can Smaller Startups Compete in the AI Race?

2025/5/26
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On with Kara Swisher
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Christy Wyskiel
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Gary Rivlin
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Kara Swisher
卡拉·斯威舍是一位知名的媒体评论家和播客主持人，专注于科技和政治话题的深入分析。
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Gary Rivlin: 我一直对初创公司和风险投资充满热情，并对AI领域抱有浓厚的兴趣。然而，我发现AI领域的竞争格局已经发生了变化。大型科技公司在AI领域占据主导地位，因为AI研究需要大量的资金和资源，这使得小型初创公司很难与之竞争。虽然仍然存在一些机会，但下一个Google很可能还是Google。我担心文本到视频、文本到音频等基础AI功能很可能被大型科技公司垄断。 Christy Wyskiel: 我认为科技行业的基础研究实际上很多都来自大学，但这一点往往被忽视。约翰·霍普金斯大学一直专注于基础研究，并致力于将其研究成果商业化。我们致力于培养AI公司所需的人才，并专注于创造对世界有益的公司。对大学基础研究的削减对科技发展不利，美国在AI领域取得领先地位的秘诀在于政府资助的基础研究，而削减这些研究将使其他国家在AI领域占据优势。

Deep Dive

Chapters
The AI boom continues, with AI and machine learning startups receiving significant venture capital funding. However, a substantial portion of the funding went to OpenAI, raising questions about the prospects of smaller startups in this competitive landscape. This episode features Gary Rivlin, author of "AI Valley," and Christy Wyskiel, senior advisor to the president of Johns Hopkins University, who discuss the challenges and opportunities for smaller AI startups.
  • AI and machine learning startups received about half of all VC funding in North America last year.
  • In Q1 2025, $40 billion in VC funding went to OpenAI.
  • The episode explores whether smaller, focused AI startups can compete with tech giants or if it will be a 'winner takes all' scenario.

Shownotes Transcript

Last year, AI and machine learning startups raked in about half of all VC funding in North America. And so far this year, AI is still leading the pack. But a huge chunk of the money in the Q1 — $40 billion — went to one player: OpenAI. So is there still room for smaller, more focused startups in the AI gold rush? Or will it be a case of “winner takes all?”

In this live conversation at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center's inaugural Discovery Series, Kara speaks with Gary Rivlin, author of “AI Valley: Microsoft, Google and the Trillion-Dollar Race to Cash In on Artificial Intelligence),” and Christy Wyskiel, senior advisor to the president of Johns Hopkins University for innovation and entrepreneurship and the executive director of Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures.

The three discuss the impact of government cuts on AI research, how small AI startups can compete with the tech giants, and how AI could revolutionize health care. 

This interview was recorded on April 28, 2025.

Questions? Comments? Email us at [email protected]) or find us on Instagram, TikTok, and Bluesky @onwithkaraswisher.

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