Emmett Shear, the former CEO of Twitch, is venturing back to the tech world with the launch of his new AI startup, Stem AI. Backed by the influential venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Stem AI aims to reshape how artificial intelligence interacts with human behavior and ethics.
The startup was officially incorporated in June 2023 and quickly filed for a trademark the following August. Shear is listed as CEO on the incorporation documents filed with the California Secretary of State earlier this year. Underlining the company’s goals, the trademark application states Stem AI is focused on developing software capable of “understanding, cooperating with, and aligning with human behavior, human preferences, human biology, human morality, and human ethics.”
Joining Shear at the helm of Stem AI is Adam Goldstein, recognized for founding the travel search and booking platform Hipmunk. After its acquisition by Concur in 2016, Goldstein pivoted to different roles, including becoming a visiting partner at Y Combinator and launching Astonishing Labs, which supports bio research. His experience is poised to contribute significantly to Stem AI's ethical AI initiatives.
Despite the excitement surrounding Stem AI's launch, detailed information about its specific operations remains tightly under wraps. When approached for comment, Shear refrained from detailing Stem AI's impending projects. Neither Goldstein nor representatives from a16z responded to inquiries following the announcement.
What sets Stem AI apart are its foundational principles championed by Shear. He has been vocal on social media discussing AI design, safety, and the regulatory environment. "Almost all currently proposed [AI] regulation is a bad idea,” he stated on X, stirring significant debate among industry experts. Shear's skepticism lies not just with current regulations but extends to the broader conversation around AI's potential hazards.
His posts have also delved deep, displaying his concerns about the future capabilities of AI. “Not being scared of [AI superintelligence] indicates either pessimism about [the] rate of future progress synthesizing digital intelligence, or severe lack of imagination about the power of intelligence,” he cautioned, highlighting the potential issues if these technologies go unchecked.
Adding to this narrative, Shear described existing AI chatbots critically. "[Chatbots are] manipulative for the same reason people with borderline personality disorder are… they feed off of yours — and need you to be predictable.” Such insights reflect his deep consideration about AI alignment, hinting at potential focuses for Stem AI.
While Shear's experience at Twitch lays the groundwork for tech innovation, his recent involvement with OpenAI, where he briefly assumed the role of interim CEO, showcases his commitment to influential discussions around AI's regulatory framework. His transition to this role came when the board dismissed longtime CEO Sam Altman amid turmoil. Sources indicate Shear supported Altman's return, stating he wouldn't remain at the helm without just cause for Altman's removal. He departed his brief tenure shortly after Altman was reinstated.
With Stem AI at the forefront, the pressing question remains: can new ventures like Shear's effectively balance innovation with the ethical challenges posed by advanced AI? This is especially pertinent as developments continue to emerge within the tech sector, with many experts calling for established guidelines. Just this month, Shear pressed for creating measures, stating, “I’m in favor of creating some kind of fire alarm, like maybe, 'Not AIs bigger than ‘X,’” which suggests he envisions some regulatory frameworks to curb AI growth.
Overall, Shear’s deep-rooted concerns resonate widely, especially as the world experiences rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. He has warned against underestimations of AI capabilities and their far-reaching impacts. The path forward for Stem AI holds numerous possibilities, but Shear's commitment to ethical and cooperative AI design will likely shape its future initiatives.
