Emmett Shear, the former CEO of Twitch, has embarked on an ambitious new venture in the realm of artificial intelligence. Shear is at the helm of Stem AI, a startup that aims to revolutionize the way AI interacts with human behavior, preferences, and ethics. This groundbreaking initiative has already attracted significant backing, including investment from renowned venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z).
Stem AI: A Vision in Stealth Mode
While Stem AI is still operating under the radar, public records provide glimpses into its formation and objectives. Official documents reveal that Stem AI was incorporated in June 2023 and filed for a trademark two months later in August. These filings describe Stem AI’s mission to develop software capable of creating AI that understands and aligns with human values, ethics, and biology. Emmett Shear is listed as the company’s CEO in documents submitted to the California Secretary of State.
The involvement of a16z, one of the most prominent venture capital firms in the tech industry, underscores the startup’s potential. According to Pitchbook, a16z joined as an investor in August 2023, adding credibility and resources to Stem AI’s ambitious goals.
A Powerhouse Partnership: Shear and Goldstein
Joining Shear in this venture is Adam Goldstein, a seasoned entrepreneur best known for founding Hipmunk, a travel search and booking platform acquired by Concur in 2016. Goldstein’s experience extends beyond startups; he has served as a visiting partner at Y Combinator and founded Astonishing Labs, an incubator focused on bio-research. His academic pursuits include a stint as a visiting scientist at Tufts University’s Levin Labs, where he worked on innovative models for biological systems with a focus on cancer research.
Together, Shear and Goldstein bring a unique blend of tech industry expertise and scientific acumen to Stem AI, positioning the startup to address complex challenges in AI development and human-AI alignment.
Shear’s Perspective on AI
Emmett Shear has been vocal about his views on artificial intelligence, particularly regarding its safety, design, and regulation. On social media, he has expressed skepticism about many of the AI regulations currently being proposed, calling them ineffective or counterproductive. He has also highlighted concerns about AI’s potential to surpass human control through self-improvement.
In a thought-provoking social media post, Shear criticized existing AI chatbots as “manipulative” and likened their behavior to individuals with borderline personality disorder. He explained that such systems lack a stable internal sense of self, making them overly dependent on user input and predictability. This critique suggests that Stem AI may be focused on addressing what Shear describes as the “AI alignment” problem—ensuring AI systems act in ways that align with human values and intentions.
The OpenAI Connection
Shear’s expertise in navigating the complexities of AI governance was further demonstrated during his brief tenure as interim CEO of OpenAI in late 2023. Following the controversial ousting of CEO Sam Altman by OpenAI’s board, Shear stepped in temporarily to stabilize the organization. However, he made it clear that his position was contingent on the board’s ability to justify their decision. Two days later, Altman was reinstated as CEO, with Shear stepping down after earning approximately $3,720 for his efforts.
This episode highlighted Shear’s leadership capabilities and his commitment to transparent decision-making, qualities that will undoubtedly influence his approach at Stem AI.
Looking Ahead: Stem AI’s Potential Impact
While specific details about Stem AI’s projects remain under wraps, the startup’s emphasis on AI alignment—understanding and cooperating with human behavior—marks a significant step forward in the field. Shear’s history of scaling Twitch from a small platform to a global giant, combined with Goldstein’s scientific background, positions Stem AI to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in AI development.
As the world continues to grapple with the ethical and practical implications of artificial intelligence, Stem AI’s mission to bridge the gap between technology and humanity could set a new standard for innovation and responsibility in the tech industry.
Stay tuned for updates on this exciting venture as it moves from stealth to spotlight.