There seems to be a new, more impressive AI model every week. Given the rapid pace, how can founders best position themselves to build on top of this technology? At TechCrunch Sessions: AI, on June 5 in Zellerbach Hall at UC Berkeley, we’ll host a panel on “How Founders Can Build on Existing Foundational Models” to answer some existential questions facing AI startups.
We’re thrilled to have leaders from Google DeepMind, Cohere, and Twelve Labs — three companies at the forefront of AI model development — to help us answer some of these questions.
Attendees can hear straight from the source about what AI model developers are trying to build next, how AI models are improving, and where startup founders should (and shouldn’t) be building. If you want to learn how to grow with the AI model developers, and not get squashed by them or left behind, this is the panel for you.
About our speakers

TC Sessions: AI will be joined by Logan Kilpatrick, senior product manager at Google DeepMind. Kilpatrick leads product for Google AI studio and helps developers build on top of Google Gemini, one of the industry’s top performing AI models. Kilpatrick previously led developer relations at OpenAI.

We’ll also be joined by Sara Hooker, the head of Cohere for AI — the AI research lab inside one of Silicon Valley’s hottest AI startups, Cohere. Specializing in AI for enterprise, Cohere has a unique insight into how businesses are using AI foundation models today. Hooker is a widely respected AI researcher who spent many years at Google, and she was named one of Time’s 100 most influential people in AI in 2024.

Finally, our panel will feature Jae Lee, the founder and CEO of Twelve Labs, a startup building AI foundation models that can analyze and search through videos. Twelve Labs — which is backed by Nvidia, Samsung, and Intel — is building AI models that can help you find exact moments in videos, just by asking for them in plain English. The startup has raised more than $100 million to date, and its backers believe its video models will create new businesses and use cases for AI in the video world.
Join the AI discussion
There’s a lot of money pouring into AI startups these days, but not all of them will survive. One of the keys to success is learning where the industry is going next. Join us and 1,200 fellow AI leaders and enthusiasts for what’s sure to be a fascinating discussion at TC Sessions: AI. Tickets are available now at Early Bird rates, saving you up to $210. Register here to save.
Want to lead your own AI session at TC Sessions: AI?
Calling all AI experts! Time is running out — apply here by tomorrow, March 7, to join the conversation with leading tech innovators and entrepreneurs. This is your opportunity to showcase your expertise and shape the future of AI.
Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at TechCrunch Sessions: AI? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.
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