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Episode #92 - Three Breakthroughs: A Survey of the AI Landscape

Tech Optimist Podcast — Tech, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation

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Alumni Ventures

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In this episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Mike Collins and Lucas Pasch explore three major AI breakthroughs. Chinese startup DeepSeek challenges OpenAI with a high-performing model on a smaller budget. The U.S. launches Project Stargate, a $500 billion AI initiative. OpenAI introduces Operator, an AI assistant that takes action, not just responds. Tune in as they discuss the global impact of these advancements.

Episode #92 – Three Breakthroughs: A Survey of the AI Landscape

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This week on the Tech Optimist podcast, join Alumni Ventures’ Mike Collins and Lucas Pasch as they spotlight three transformative innovations:

  1. DeepSeek’s Breakthrough – A Chinese AI startup builds a model rivaling OpenAI’s best with a fraction of the budget, sparking debate on innovation vs. imitation.
  2. Project Stargate – The U.S. government launches a $500 billion initiative to boost AI infrastructure and global competitiveness.
  3. OpenAI’s Operator – A revolutionary AI assistant that not only responds but takes real-world actions, shaping the future of autonomous AI.

This episode offers an inspiring look at how these innovations are shaping the future of science, technology, and human collaboration.

Watch Time ~37 minutes

The show is produced by Alumni Ventures, which has been recognized as a “Top 20 Venture Firm” by CB Insights (’24) and as the “#1 Most Active Venture Firm in the US” by Pitchbook (’22 & ’23).

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Creators and Guests

Michael Collins
Michael Collins
CEO, Alumni Ventures

Mike has been involved in almost every facet of venturing, from angel investing to venture capital, new business and product launches, and innovation consulting. He is the CEO of Alumni Ventures and launched AV’s first alumni fund, Green D Ventures, where he oversaw the portfolio as Managing Partner and is now Managing Partner Emeritus. Mike is a serial entrepreneur who has started multiple companies, including Kid Galaxy, Big Idea Group (partially owned by WPP), and RDM. He began his career at VC firm TA Associates. He holds an undergraduate degree in Engineering Science from Dartmouth and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Lucas Pasch
Lucas Pasch
Senior Principal, Purple Arch Ventures

Lucas brings an operator’s perspective to Venture Capital, having led teams at fast-growing startups in digital health, proptech, and retail. Most recently, he led BizOps at LetsGetChecked, an at-home lab diagnostics company that helps people detect conditions early and live longer lives. Lucas earned his MBA from Kellogg, where he focused on entrepreneurship and venture. During that time, he founded a marketplace for esports viewing events called FanHome, culminating in a first-place victory in The Garage’s summer accelerator demo day. Complementing that experience, Lucas worked part-time while in business school as an investment associate at MATH Venture Partners, where he focused on evaluating early-stage SaaS investments and developed a passion for venture. Prior to business school, Lucas cut his teeth in investment banking at KeyBanc Capital Markets, as well as on the strategy team at Trunk Club. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan.

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Alumni Ventures

Alumni Ventures is a network-powered VC firm that helps accredited individuals invest in venture capital.

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