No Priors: Artificial Intelligence | Technology | Startups

Autonomous vehicle technology has moved past human-coded rules and into an era of neural networks and custom computer chips. And to solve the most difficult driving scenarios, electric vehicle company Rivian abandoned its original technology platform to build a vertically integrated data stack. Sarah Guo sits down with Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe to explore the seismic shift in the automotive industry toward AI-driven, software-defined vehicles . RJ discusses the move away from function or domain-based architecture for vehicle electronic systems to software-defined architecture, which allows for dynamic, monthly updates to features in Rivian’s vehicles. RJ also talks about the upcoming launch of Rivian’s R2 model, which aims to be a distinct, affordable, mass-market alternative to the Tesla Model Y. Plus, RJ shares his vision for a future where vehicles don’t just drive us, but inspire personal freedom and exploration.

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Chapters:

00:00 – Cold Open00:35 – RJ Scaringe Introduction0:58 – Rivian’s Autonomy Evolution05:19 – Why Rivian’s Tech is Vertically Integrated10:06 – Levels of Autonomous Driving Technologies14:00 – Importance of a Software-Defined Architecture19:28 – Differentiating Autonomous Vehicle Models23:20 – R2: The First Mass Market Autonomous Vehicle25:02 – Do Americans Want EVs?29:05 – How Our Relationship to Vehicles is Evolving30:45 – Conclusion

From “virtual doppelgängers” to “real-time dreaming,” online gaming platform Roblox is using AI technology to build the “Holodeck” envisioned in science fiction decades ago. Sarah Guo and Elad Gil sit down with Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki at Roblox headquarters to explore the intersection of AI, physics simulation, and the future of human connection. Dave discusses the evolution of the 4D creation tool in Roblox, a high-fidelity simulation that enables thousands of people to interact in real-time with photo-realistic graphics and acoustic physics. Dave reveals how Roblox is leveraging 13 billion hours of monthly user data to train native AI models that go beyond simple LLMs, enabling NPCs that can navigate and play games with human-like intuition. He also talks about how immersive communication will change video conferencing, how Roblox searches for unlikely talent outside of traditional elite universities, and how he balances rapid weekly iterations with keeping a “long view” on Roblox’s vision. 

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Follow us on Twitter: @NoPriorsPod | @Saranormous | @EladGil | @DavidBaszucki | @Roblox 

Chapters:

00:00 – Cold Open

00:36 – Dave Baszucki Introduction

01:16 – Realizing Robolox’s 20-Year Vision

05:29 – Using 4D Immersive Simulations in Virtual Interactions

08:22 – Physics Engine vs. Photorealism 

11:50 – Storing Roblox History as Vector Data

14:00 – Training NPCs - Moving Beyond LLMs

18:05 – The Future of the Game Designer

19:54 – Video Latent World Models

23:53 – Social Simulation - AI Companions and Virtual Relationships

27:26 – Why Asset Costs Haven’t Changed the Gaming Industry

29:52 – AI Coding in Roblox Studio

31:36 – The Roblox Creator Economy

33:57 – Long-Term Conviction vs. Weekly Iteration

37:50 – Dave’s Hiring Philosophy for Roblox

43:44 – Conclusion

What if we could pause biological time to wait for a cure for a disease? Thanks to innovations and research in reversible cryopreservation, this possibility is no longer just science fiction. Sarah Guo sits down with Laura Deming, CEO and co-founder of biotech startup Until, to dive deep into the growing field of reversible cryopreservation. Laura talks about how her time as a Thiel Fellow as well as her founding of the Longevity Fund fueled her obsession with solving the “social blindspot” of aging. Laura details how her new startup, Until, seeks to build tools that allow for “pressing pause” on biological time, starting with human organs with the hopes of scaling up to full body medical hibernation. Together, they also discuss why ice is the enemy of tissue, using engineering tools to help solve biological problems, and how this technology may revolutionize organ transplantation by removing time as a variable. 

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Follow us on Twitter: @NoPriorsPod | @Saranormous | @EladGil | @LauraDeming | @untillabs 

Chapters:

00:00 – Cold Open

01:08 – Laura Deming Introduction

01:53 – Why Laura Focused on Cryo Preservation and Longevity

06:20 – Bringing on Co-Founder Hunter Davis

07:55 – Until’s Goal

10:10 – Other Use Cases for Cryo Technology

12:22 – Scientific Challenges in Cryo Tech

15:36 – Using Engineering Principles to Solve Biological Problems

20:18 – Scaling Up Cryo Preservation

21:48 – Leading and Recruiting at Until

25:02 – Why Hasn’t Cryo Tech Been Worked On More?

27:14 – Making Time Not a Variable in Organ Transplants 

29:06 – Changing How the Molecular World is Depicted

30:47 – Conclusion

Why are there only a handful of companies in the world with over $10 billion in pure-play software revenue? CJ Desai believes the reason is that products are replaceable, but platforms are forever. For No Priors’ very first live from MongoDB.local SF, Sarah Guo is joined by CJ Desai, CEO and President of software developer MongoDB, to discuss the shifting landscape of enterprise software. CJ discusses whether AI will erode the value of software, and what truly constitutes a “moat” in the age of generative AI. CJ also talks about why AI adoption with Fortune 500-sized companies is still lagging, the importance of customer relationships, and why the “bear thesis” on SaaS may be overblown. 

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Follow us on Twitter: @NoPriorsPod | @Saranormous | @EladGil | @cj_mongodb | @MongoDB

Chapters:

00:00 – Cold Open

00:58 – CJ Desai Introduction

01:38 – The AI Stack and the Future of Software

04:18 – Why Platforms, Not Products, Are Sticky

09:59 – Vibe Coding and the Threat of On-Demand Apps

12:15 – Paths to Success for Software Vendor Incumbents

14:24 – How CJ Chose MongoDB

18:55 – Debunking the SaaS Bear Thesis

22:07 – Fortune 500 Perspectives on AI Value

24:24 – Can AI Native Startups Replace Systems of Record?

28:10 – The Importance of Customer Relationships

31:46 – Managing Through Massive Technology Transitions

36:37 – Conclusion

Today’s arms race looks a little different from those of the past. Under the Trump administration, the US Department of War (DoW) is deploying generative AI to millions of employees in order to maintain a strategic edge over our global adversaries. Sarah Guo and Elad Gil sit down with Emil Michael, the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering of the United States, to discuss the radical technological transformation of the US military. Emil outlines the architecture and launch of GenAI.mil, a DoW internal AI platform powered by Gemini and Grok that reached over one million unique users in its first 30 days. He also highlights critical technology priorities for national security, including hypersonics, direct energy, and autonomous drone swarms. Together, they also explore the urgent need to rebuild the American defense industrial base and end dependency on foreign supply chains for critical materials, as well as how Emil is recruiting the next generation of “fixer-builder” workers to serve their country in government. 

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Follow us on Twitter: @NoPriorsPod | @Saranormous | @EladGil | @USWREMichael | @DoWCTO

Chapters:

00:00 – Cold Open

00:00 – Emil Michael Introduction

00:58 – Emil’s Role at the Department of War

05:22 – Innovation Priorities for the DoW

08:27 – Shift Toward Autonomous Defense Technologies

10:41 – Identifying Common Needs Across the DoW

12:02 – Architecting GenAI.mil

13:48 – Applied AI Initiatives at the DoW

15:57 – The Future of Warfare

17:55 – Recruiting for DoW

19:33 – Arsenal of Freedom Tour

22:25 – Opportunities for Entrepreneurs at DoW

25:49 – Speeding Up and Scaling DoW Initiatives

28:37 – Innovation in Defense Tech

30:00 – Change Management in Government

32:09 – Rebuilding the Defense Industrial Base

37:27 – Initiatives and Opportunities at the Office of Strategic Capital

41:41 – Lessons from Emil’s Government Experience

44:30 – Conclusion