How AI Will Answer Questions We Haven’t Thought To Ask | Aravind Srinivas | TED

Summary

In this thought-provoking talk, the speaker, an AI PhD from Berkeley, explores the intersection of academia and technology startups, emphasizing the increasing role of academics in AI innovation. Reflecting on AI's evolution, the speaker discusses how it will make us more human by enhancing our innate curiosity and ability to ask better questions. The story of Perplexity, an AI-driven platform built to answer questions with trust and citations, illustrates this shift in access to knowledge. As AI advances, the speaker believes it will empower people from all backgrounds to unlock human potential through relentless questioning and innovation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is not a traditional tech founder and holds a PhD in AI from Berkeley, highlighting an academic background that contrasts with typical tech entrepreneurs.
• 😀 A notable trend in AI startups is the high presence of PhDs, with over a third of speakers at the conference being professors from major universities.
• 😀 Despite a 38% decline in the rate of startup formation among PhDs in the last 20 years, AI's growth has shown an exception to this trend.
• 😀 The last major tech company founded by academics was Google, and the speaker references this to highlight the role of academia in building groundbreaking technology.
• 😀 Larry Page's 2000 prediction about AI being the future of search came true, with AI now being central to the development of modern search engines.
• 😀 The core purpose of technology, including AI, is to prompt continuous questioning and evolution, which pushes humanity forward.
• 😀 AI, according to the speaker, will make humanity more human by enhancing our capacity for relentless questioning and curiosity, a core aspect of human progress.
• 😀 The 'Socratic method' of relentless questioning, practiced by both academics and humans in general, aligns with the idea that AI can make this process even more powerful.
• 😀 Perplexity, the company the speaker co-founded, originated from a desire to use AI to find reliable answers to a range of personal and business questions, improving efficiency in research.
• 😀 AI's ability to provide trusted, well-sourced answers democratizes knowledge, making information available to everyone regardless of background or location, ensuring equal access to answers and spurring further questioning.

Q & A

What inspired the speaker to create Perplexity?

The speaker was inspired to create Perplexity after facing challenges in getting reliable answers to complex questions when starting a company. They realized that traditional search engines didn't provide efficient, trustworthy answers and wanted to build an AI tool to solve this issue.

What is the role of relentless questioning in the development of AI?

Relentless questioning, a method often used by academics, is key to human intellectual progress and is even more effective when combined with AI. The speaker believes AI can enhance this practice, enabling deeper exploration and discovery by answering questions more efficiently and accurately.

How does the speaker connect human curiosity to the future of AI?

The speaker connects human curiosity to the future of AI by arguing that AI will help fulfill humanity's innate desire to ask questions. With AI providing answers, humans can continue exploring new questions, creating a cycle of infinite curiosity and learning.

What is the significance of the 38 percent decline in startup formation by PhDs, mentioned in the script?

The 38 percent decline refers to a recent trend where fewer PhD holders are starting companies. The speaker contrasts this trend with the presence of many academics in AI startups, suggesting that despite the general decline, AI may be encouraging more researchers to found technology companies.

How does the speaker perceive the role of AI in making knowledge accessible to everyone?

The speaker believes that AI is revolutionizing the accessibility of knowledge by making answers to complex questions available to anyone, regardless of their background or resources. This shift represents a democratization of information, where both experts and underserved populations can access the same high-quality answers.

What does the speaker mean by the 'future of us, the people'?

The speaker suggests that while technology shapes the future, it is ultimately about how technology impacts humans. The 'future of us' refers to how technology, especially AI, will help humanity grow and evolve by expanding our intellectual horizons and enhancing human potential.

How does Perplexity differentiate itself from traditional search engines?

Perplexity differentiates itself by not only providing answers but also offering trustworthy, well-cited sources for every answer. This approach allows users to verify the information, fostering trust and enabling further exploration of topics through additional questions.

What role do academic backgrounds play in AI startups, according to the speaker?

The speaker notes that a significant portion of the AI community, including many at the conference, holds PhDs or academic positions. They argue that academia plays a critical role in AI development and that having academic expertise in technology startups can be beneficial for advancing knowledge and innovation.

What prediction did Larry Page make about the future of search in 2000, and how does it relate to the speaker's vision?

Larry Page predicted in 2000 that the future of search would be driven by AI, with search engines understanding everything on the web and providing the right answers to users. The speaker aligns with this vision, emphasizing that AI-driven search and knowledge platforms are now a reality, especially in the realm of AI technology.

What does the speaker believe will be the effect of AI on the cost of research?

The speaker believes that AI will drastically reduce the marginal cost of research, making it accessible to anyone, regardless of their financial or academic background. This development will enable more people to contribute to knowledge creation and have equal access to the world's information and answers.