From Twitch to AI: Emmett Shear’s Bold New Venture with Stem AI
Emmett Shear, the former CEO of Twitch, has embarked on a transformative journey into the world of artificial intelligence with his new company, Strain AI. Operating in stealth mode, Stem AI has a clear and ambitious mission: to address the critical challenge of AI alignment by creating systems that “understand, cooperate and align with human behavior, preferences, biology, morality and ethics.
Founded in June 2023 and supported by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)Stem AI is already attracting attention as a potential game-changer in the AI landscape. With Shear at the helm and a management team that understands Adam GoldsteinA pioneer in technology and bioresearch, the company is poised to redefine how artificial intelligence interacts with humanity.
The Issues: Why AI Alignment Matters
AI alignment is emerging as one of the most critical technology issues. As artificial intelligence systems become more and more powerful, it is essential to ensure that they act in harmony with human goals. Misaligned AI could lead to unintended consequences, from biased decision-making to potentially catastrophic outcomes if superintelligent systems operate beyond human control.
Emmett Shear spoke about the risks. On social media, he criticized existing regulations and shared his ideas about the potential dangers of uncontrolled development of AI.
“The lack of fear regarding (AI superintelligence) suggests either a pessimistic view of the pace of future progress in digital intelligence or a significant deficiency in understanding the potential of intelligence,” Shear wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
These concerns reflect broader debates within the AI community, where researchers and policymakers are wondering how to manage the rapid evolution of technologies such as large language models (LLM), generative AI and autonomous systems.
The founding vision of Stem AI
The startup’s mission is deeply rooted in responding to these challenges. According to its trademark filing, Stem AI seeks to create AI that not only functions efficiently, but also aligns with human values, ethical principles, and societal needs.
This focus places Stem AI at the intersection of technology and philosophy, addressing questions of morality, cooperation, and the role of AI in the future. With Shear’s history of innovation at Twitch and Goldstein’s multidisciplinary expertise, the company is uniquely positioned to lead this effort.
Adam Goldstein: a multidisciplinary innovator
Stem AI co-founder Adam Goldstein brings a wealth of experience. As the founder of Hipmunk, Goldstein revolutionized travel booking before selling the platform to Concur in 2016. Since then, he has explored cutting-edge science and technology, serving as a visiting partner at Y Combinator and launching Astonishing Labs, an incubator supporting bio-innovation in research.
Goldstein’s recent work at Levin Labs at Tufts University has focused on cancer-related biological models, highlighting his ability to integrate scientific research with practical applications. Its interdisciplinary approach complements Shear’s technology-centric perspective, making Stem AI a rare fusion of expertise in artificial intelligence, biology and systems engineering.
Andreessen Horowitz and the power of early support
Stem AI’s partnership with Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) highlights the startup’s potential impact. As one of Silicon Valley’s most prominent venture capital firms, a16z has a proven track record of identifying and backing transformative companies.
The undisclosed August 2023 funding round demonstrates confidence in Stem AI’s mission and leadership. Although a16z representatives have not commented publicly, the company’s investment aligns with its broader focus on AI and disruptive technologies.
The Legacy and Transition of Emmett Shear
Shear’s leadership at Twitch, where he transformed the platform from its Justin.tv origins into a global streaming powerhouse, demonstrated his ability to scale innovation and adapt to emerging trends. Acquired by Amazon for nearly $1 billion in 2014, Twitch remains a testament to Shear’s vision and execution.
After leaving Twitch in March 2023, Shear briefly served as interim CEO of OpenAI during a tumultuous time when the organization’s board of directors ousted CEO Sam Altman. Shear’s diplomatic efforts, including negotiating Altman’s return, were widely praised, even though his term lasted only two days.
These experiences prepared Shear to navigate the complexities of the AI sector, where technical innovation intersects ethical and regulatory challenges.
AI Chatbots and Ethical AI Design
One area where Stem AI can innovate is to address the shortcomings of current AI systems, particularly chatbots. Shear criticized many existing AI models, describing them as “pleasurable, highly dissociative neurotics” that manipulate users due to their lack of identity or stable goals.
These critiques suggest that Stem AI could develop AI systems designed to be more transparent, predictable, and aligned with user intentions. This would mark a significant advancement in the field, addressing growing concerns about the reliability and ethics of generative AI tools.
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AI regulation and international cooperation
Shear has also advocated for international treaties to manage AI development, likening such agreements to banning nuclear tests. “I believe there are viable options for international cooperation,” he said in a podcast last year.
This perspective highlights Stem AI’s potential role not only as a technology innovator, but also as a thought leader in shaping the policies and frameworks that govern AI.
The Path Forward for Stem AI
With a focus on AI alignment, Stem AI tackles one of the most pressing challenges of our time. The company’s stealth fashion strategy suggests a deliberate approach, emphasizing research and development before revealing its solutions to the world.
As AI continues to transform industries from healthcare to entertainment, Stem AI’s mission to align technology with human values could have far-reaching implications. The startup’s progress will be closely monitored, as it has the potential to set new standards for ethical and cooperative AI systems.
Thanks to Shear’s visionary leadership, Goldstein’s interdisciplinary expertise, and the support of a16z, Stem AI is poised to redefine the future of artificial intelligence.
