Latest news with #DemisHassabis
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
SXSW London 2025 And The New Leadership Code: Feel More, Lead Better
What do guest speakers Deepak Chopra, Demis Hassabis, Wyclef Jean, and the CEO of OnlyFans have in common? At first glance, not much. But according to SXSW London, they're all part of the same evolving narrative. From June 2-7, 2025 the newest global event in the SXSW constellation, after SXSW Sydney; lands in East London, transforming Truman Brewery, Rich Mix and over 32 other venues in Shoreditch and Tech City, (East London's Silicon Roundabout) into a cultural epicenter. Yes, SXSW London will deliver over 800 conference speakers, 600 live music performances, 110 film & TV screenings, a high-profile arts programme with UK debuts, alongside networking invitations and immersive events — but I'd say it signals to something more—a new leadership blueprint for a post-logic, post-performance age. What makes me say that? Having delivered keynotes at numerous leading conferences around the world, I can say with some perspective that the programming here demands attention. First, the most urgent conversations on AI, media, mobility, spirituality, and the creator economy are no longer happening solely in Silicon Valley — they're unfolding in East London and Europe. And second, in 2025, the most valuable leadership skill won't be technological fluency. It will be emotional and spiritual fluency. In other words, threaded throughout the SXSW London schedule is a clear cultural message: Welcome to the age of the Spiritual Technologist. Spiritual guru turned wellness empire architect, Deepak Chopra may not seem like a first thought for a tech conference amongst a slew of AI engineers, quantum physicists and innovators in tech—but that's exactly what I think makes his presence at SXSW London so revealing. Because in a world increasingly flooded by machine learning, generative AI, and predictive everything, the one thing we can't code is the one thing that audiences remain starved for— human connection. And brand trust today isn't just built through logic, utility, or even performance; it's built through emotional clarity, intention, and the ability to create meaningful connections. I've spoken before about the need for brands to be brave enough to release societal tensions and to provide permission. I have no doubt Deepak Chopra will be confronting what it means to build human-first tech, technology that listens, products that understand. Brands that don't just function, but feel. Audiences still care how powerful your algorithm is but they also care just as much, if not more so, about whether your brand makes them feel seen and understood in a world that increasingly doesn't. And that in my mind is not sentimentality—it's strategy. Deloitte would agree. According to a study by the organization, brands that lead in human-centered connection consistently outperform those focused solely on scale or efficiency. Turns out, in a tech-saturated economy, it is indeed emotional infrastructure, not digital infrastructure, that's becomes the defining differentiator. Demis Hassabis — cofounder and CEO of Google DeepMind — isn't a personal brand in the conventional sense. He's not posting daily insights on social media or staging podcast appearances etc. Many outside his immediate AI circle might not have even heard of him. And yet, his presence at SXSW London matters more than you might think. Why? Because I believe it signals a shift—or expansion—in what we'll start expecting from the personal brands of leaders — not more noise, but more necessity. When Hassabis steps onto the SXSW London stage as part of the keynote speakers lineup, he won't just be representing models and datasets, he'll be embodying a new kind of leadership identity: one rooted in originality, and real authority. So while showmanship certainly still has its place in personal branding, I believe we will start to see more leaders start to emerge with an integration — of intellect, values, and cultural relevance that might not so easily be replicated — not on social media, not as a sound bite, not in marketing decks, and not by AI. Hassabis will most likely demonstrate a leadership that doesn't trade in optics, but trades in substance. Regardless of your leadership proposition, the full slate of SXSW London keynote speakers — including Wyclef Jean, Alex Kendall etc. — proves something we don't hear enough: the future of influence no longer belongs to companies, it belongs to individuals. And not just any individuals — but those who've turned personal philosophy into professional momentum. I have no doubt the winners of the SXSW pitch won't just be pitching products, they'll be pitching belief systems. Translating who they are into what they build. And I bet this dynamic will play out across every part of SXSW London's regional events. Interestingly, Harvard Business Review also states that leaders who actively shape their personal brands — grounded in values, not just image — are far better positioned to drive influence and trust across teams, industries, and audiences. And personal branding will continue to evolve from a side project to a strategic driver of professional authority. Bottom line? What matters today isn't just scale, it's specificity. Audiences are done following logos. They want to follow people. I've long believed that convergence is the future—in every sense. And convergence is the exact theme of the SXSW London festival. From film screenings of movie titles like Deep Cover, to artistic experiences and showcases by new talent from American record label scenes — and all of it powered by the energy of Tech City — SXSW London isn't a conference. It's a remix. The special events at SXSW London aren't organized by verticals but a full-blown multimedia activation experience that fuses fashion, finance, faith, and futurism into something messy, alive, and urgent. Similarly, leaders must also resist the temptation to be boxed in by industry labels or parameters that give them a false sense of security. According to Deloitte, the most fertile ground for breakthrough innovation lies at the intersection of disciplines — not within them. What does this mean? The more companies embrace convergence across technology, design, and culture, the more likely they are to lead. Because tomorrow's brands don't just need to coexist, they need to collide, cross-pollinate, and mutate into something entirely new. As I've said before, an influential brand isn't just seen it's felt. Take OnlyFans— a subscription-based content platform known for empowering creators to monetize exclusive content, from adult entertainment to fitness and music. The platform has a super engaged audience involvement — with numbers any brand would envy. But the numbers only tell half the story. From my perspective, OnlyFans true power also lies in the permission it provides its audience, in the intimacy it creates with its viewers — intangible qualities no spreadsheet or metric will ever be able to fully capture. That's what Keily Blair, the platform's CEO, I hope will further highlight at SXSW London: a conversation not just about growth, but about gravity. Indeed, academic research in Sustainability confirms that empathy and emotional engagement are key to sustainable brand relationships. Brands that resonate on a human level don't just get attention — they earn enduring loyalty. Then there's Topjaw, the creator duo behind travel content that's as precise as it is personal. Their SXSW session, 'A 10-Year Overnight Success,' challenges the myth of virality. This brand didn't explode overnight but built, refined, listened, and stayed consistent until they broke through. SXSW London's line up doesn't seem to be just another annual event or showcase for angel investors. It's more of a cultural barometer. A litmus test. A new kind of leadership training ground. It's showing us what will matter next. Not just your product but your presence. Not just your metrics but your meaning. Because in the age of the Spiritual Technologist, your value won't just be measured by followers, funnels, or even performance. It will also be measured by how deeply your brand moves people. By how clearly you stand for something no one else can replicate. So chase your KPIs. Fine-tune your media plan. Launch your next campaign. But if your brand can't stir something deeply human and if it can't make me feel, think, or believe — then you're just another activation lost in the scroll. And that's one data point your dashboard will never tell you. But then again, that's what I'm here for. Named Esquire's Influencer of the Year, Jeetendr Sehdev is a media personality and leading voice in fashion, entertainment, and influence, and author of the New York Times bestselling phenomenon The Kim Kardashian Principle: Why Shameless Sells (and How to Do It Right).
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
‘AI won't make us lazy, it'll make us smarter': Google DeepMind CEO on learning and future of coding
Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, firmly believes that AI is going to transform education, coding and even drug discovery. In his recent podcast interview with Rowan Cheung, the founder of The RundownAI, Hassabis spoke about the biggest announcements, the AI as a companion conundrum, and how the next decade of technology will shape considering the rapid advancements in AI. The CEO asserted that AI is here to make us smarter. Last week, Google unveiled a plethora of AI applications at the Google I/O 2025. The search giant which is briskly moving forward in AI advancements showed a range of possibilities with its new AI Mode in Search to its universal AI assistant – Project Astra. Talking about the things that most excite him from Google I/O 2025, Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, said, 'If I had to pick a top three: Gemini 2.5 Pro DeepThink is a super frontier model on reasoning… Veo 3 is the first time we've combined audio and video… And Flash is probably going to surprise a lot of people.' Hassabis placed Gemini 2.5 Pro DeepThink at the top of the list, terming it a 'super frontier model on thinking'. He shared that Google's Veo 3 is the most advanced video generation model ever. 'It's the first time we've combined audio and video together—and we've made big strides in improving video quality,' he said. The CEO rounded up his top picks by describing Gemini Flash as a faster, lightweight model for mobile and embedded devices. Hassabis also mentioned Gemini Diffusion, which is a research milestone in speed and image generation. At Google I/O, perhaps one of the major highlights was Project Astra, which is an evolving AI assistant programmed to be proactive and multimodal and to be operational across phones and wearable devices. However, proactivity also comes with some challenges. 'You want something to be helpful, not annoying,' Hassabis explained. 'It's a complex research problem, understanding when you're busy, whether you're speaking to the assistant or a human, even your physical context.' According to him, getting it right is critical for the universal assistant vision, especially as Google works towards memory-sharing across devices. 'That's firmly on the roadmap in the following months,' he confirmed. Since big tech and AI startups are working towards making AI more personalised, the way people interact with these systems is bound to change. The Nobel Prize laureate acknowledged that users are likely to form bonds with their AI assistants. 'It's clear users want systems that know them well, understand their preferences, and carry on conversations from yesterday. But we'll also have to think about things like upgrades, especially after people spend time training their assistant.' He said that assistants could become indispensable not just for casual users but in professional workflows. When asked if overreliance on AI tools makes a user lazier or dumb, the CEO said he does not think of it that way. 'It's about teaching the next generation how to make the best use of these tools. They're already part of education, so let's embrace it and use it for better learning.' Hassabis is particularly optimistic about the potential of AI in education, especially through Google's LearnLM initiative. He told the host that with LearnLM, one could create flashcards on the fly, get suggestions on YouTube videos tailored to what they may be struggling with and even help them identify gaps in their understanding. When asked what advice he would give to educators on tailoring curriculum around AI, not as a replacement but as a tool, Hassabis reasoned that curricula need to evolve rapidly. 'Personalised learning where a student learns in class and continues at home with an AI tutor could be incredibly powerful.' He views AI as a tool to democratise education globally: 'You could bring much higher-quality learning to poorer parts of the world that don't have good education systems.' During the interview, Cheung mentioned that one area where AI is dramatically impacting has been software development, especially with the emergence of tools like Jules and Vibe coding. With these tools, AI is writing most of the code. In this scenario, Hassabis was asked, What makes for a good developer? The Google DeepMind executive responded, saying, 'I think the next era will be a creative one… Top engineers will be 10x more productive because they'll understand what the AI is doing and give better instructions. And hobbyists will get access to powerful tools previously out of reach.' Hassabis went on to predict that natural language could become the next programming language. 'When I started, I was coding in assembly. Then came C, Python… Now, natural language might be the final step.' On a similar tangent, if coding becomes easy, how will startups stay competitive? To this, Hassabis said that the competitive edge could come from 'distribution, execution speed, or deep vertical integration with specialist data.' Hassabis believes that hybrid AI systems will rise in importance, pointing at AlphaFold, the AI model that combines deep learning with biology and physics. The CEO, in a segment from 60 Minutes, claimed that AI may help cure all diseases in the next decade. When asked what he meant, he clarified that he meant AI could design hundreds of potential drugs. However, regulatory approval will still take time, but the possibilities are real. He explained that when early AI-designed drugs are validated and back-tested for safety and efficacy, regulations might evolve to trust AI predictions more. 'We've done it before,' he said, referencing AlphaFold. 'Mapping one protein used to take a PhD student five years. AlphaFold mapped 200 million in a single year. That's a billion years of PhD time saved.' In his short conversation, the Google DeepMind boss made it clear that AI is not just changing software; it is essentially redefining how we learn, work and treat disease. The 48-year-old British scientist is known to be a chess prodigy. He was knighted in 2023 for his services to AI. In 2024, Hassabis and John Jumper won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work on AlphaFold, an AI system that predicts 3D protein structures. He co-founded DeepMind in 2010 with a mission to build Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). While most people perceive AGI to be smarter than humans, Hassabis defines it as systems that can do anything the human brain can do. Bijin Jose, an Assistant Editor at Indian Express Online in New Delhi, is a technology journalist with a portfolio spanning various prestigious publications. Starting as a citizen journalist with The Times of India in 2013, he transitioned through roles at India Today Digital and The Economic Times, before finding his niche at The Indian Express. With a BA in English from Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara, and an MA in English Literature, Bijin's expertise extends from crime reporting to cultural features. With a keen interest in closely covering developments in artificial intelligence, Bijin provides nuanced perspectives on its implications for society and beyond. ... Read More
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Youth face long-term employment challenges from AI's rise
The advent of artificial intelligence has created valid concerns about loss of jobs despite the numerous opportunities that can emerge in certain segments. And while some risks have already materialised even in India – fintech firm PhonePe, for instance, cut its customer service team by 60% in the five years ended 2023-24 due to increased use of AI-driven chatbots – the situation is particularly perilous for the youth. According to US-based venture capital firm SignalFire's State of Tech Talent Report 2025, released on May 20, hiring of fresh graduates by large technology firms in 2024 was down more than 50 per cent compared to 2019, while the decline was more than 30 per cent for start-ups. 'As budgets tighten and AI capabilities increase, companies are reducing their investment in new grad opportunities,' SignalFire said. Youth unemployment For Indian youth, circumstances are already difficult. According to the statistics ministry's inaugural monthly Periodic Labour Force Survey released earlier this month, the unemployment rate for Indians in the 15-29 years age bracket was as high as 13.8 per cent in April 2025, more than twice the all-India unemployment rate of 5.1 per cent, based on the current weekly status approach which measures unemployment by considering those persons who were available for work for at least one hour on any day in the seven days preceding the survey Longer-term trends don't paint an encouraging picture either. According to a Centre for Social and Economic Progress paper 'India at Work: Employment Trends in the 21st Century' released last week, an analysis of data going back to 1983 shows that while the number of employed persons in the 15-24 age category increased to 6.20 crore in 2023-24 from 5.24 crore in 2017-18, 'over a longer period, there has been a decline or stagnation'. Learning opportunities To be sure, stagnant youth employment is a reflection of the paucity of jobs. But to prepare for a future which may present more opportunities, the key may be to seemingly get with the programme and 'become a sort of ninja using the latest (AI) tools,' Demis Hassabis, co-founder of Google DeepMind, said on The New York Times' Hard Fork podcast last week. The problem for young Indians, however, might be a deeper one. As per the Indian statistics ministry's latest Time Use Survey, those in the 15-29 age group who were involved in learning spent 422 minutes per day on 'learning activities' in 2024, down 8 minutes per day from 2019. Meanwhile, though most young Indians are fairly familiar when it comes to smartphones and the internet, their proficiency with basic tasks is not encouraging. According to the statistics ministry's Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey for 2022-23 (July-June), while 84.2 per cent of persons from across India in the 15-29 age bucket were able to use the internet, just 28.5 per cent could search for information, send or receive e-mails, and perform online banking transactions. Even if only those living in urban areas are considered, the proportion remains below half at 42.6 per cent. Closing doors While the use of AI in high volume and repetitive tasks – such as chat automation and digital marketing – frees up humans for more strategic and creative activities, it also somewhat shuts the door for fresh graduates who start at the bottom and move up the ladder. The youth are already feeling the heat, with Gen Z workers in the US significantly more pessimistic than other generations, as per LinkedIn Market Research. In April 2025, their job confidence score – measured on a scale from -100 to +100 – fell 7 points year-on-year to +24. In comparison, baby boomers had a score of +44, with millennials at +40.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Google DeepMind CEO 'warns' students getting into college: The world you are entering will ...
Google DeepMind co-founder and CEO Demis Hassabis Demis Hassabis , CEO of Google DeepMind , announced at the Google I/O developer conference recently that the research lab is less than 10 years away from achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI), the ultimate goal of the ongoing generative AI arms race. Speaking live, Hassabis emphasized the transformative potential of AI, predicting significant workplace disruption but also the creation of new, valuable, and engaging jobs within the next five to 10 years. Hassabis, who leads Google's AI initiatives including the Gemini chatbot, advised young people, particularly college students, to 'immerse' themselves in AI technologies and become proficient in using cutting-edge tools. 'Whatever happens with these AI tools, you'll be better off understanding how they work and what you can do with them,' he said, urging students to focus on 'learning to learn' to stay adaptable in a rapidly changing technological landscape. What Google DeepMind CEO told University of Cambridge students In an earlier interview at the University of Cambridge, where Hassabis graduated, he shared similar advice with students, emphasizing adaptability as a critical skill. Responding to questions submitted by undergraduates, he encouraged them to understand their learning styles and develop the ability to quickly master new material. 'The world you're entering will face an incredible amount of disruption and change,' he told students during a March discussion with Professor Alastair Beresford at Queens' College, Cambridge. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Hassabis highlighted emerging fields like AI, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and quantum computing as promising industries over the next decade. He noted that technological shifts historically disrupt some jobs but create others that are often more interesting and valuable, as discussed on the 'Hard Fork' podcast with hosts Kevin Roose and Casey Newton. The generative AI race, sparked by OpenAI's ChatGPT release in 2022, has fueled rapid advancements, raising both excitement and concerns about its impact on society. Hassabis stressed that students should combine their passions with core skills to seize opportunities in this evolving landscape. 'Anytime there is change, there is also huge opportunity,' he said, encouraging graduates to blend deep knowledge of their interests with adaptability to thrive in an AI-driven future. "Over the next 5 to 10 years, I think we're going to find what normally happens with big new technology shifts, which is that some jobs get disrupted," he recently told co-hosts Kevin Roose and Casey Newton on an episode of "Hard Fork," a podcast about the future of technology. However, he said, "new, more valuable, usually more interesting jobs get created" in the wake of that kind of disruption. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Hans India
5 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Google DeepMind CEO Warns Teens: AI Will Disrupt Jobs Within 5 Years—Start Preparing Now
As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms industries across the globe, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis is urging the next generation to adapt—before it's too late. Speaking during the Google I/O 2025 developer conference and later on the tech podcast Hard Fork, Hassabis shared a pressing message for today's teenagers: understanding AI is no longer optional. According to Hassabis, we are just years away from artificial intelligence fundamentally reshaping the job market. He predicts that many roles will be disrupted within five to ten years. "Just as the internet shaped millennials and smartphones defined Gen Z, generative AI is the hallmark of Gen Alpha," he said. "Over the next 5 to 10 years, I think we're going to find what normally happens with big new technology shifts, which is that some jobs get disrupted. But new, more valuable, usually more interesting jobs get created." Hassabis, who leads DeepMind—the advanced AI research lab behind Google's Gemini chatbot and efforts to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI)—warned that AGI may be less than a decade away. Unlike current AI tools, AGI would possess the ability to reason like a human. Given that outlook, he believes the time to act is now. 'Whatever happens with these AI tools, you'll be better off understanding how they work, and how they function, and what you can do with them,' he said. Encouraging students to adopt a proactive attitude, he added, 'Immerse yourself now. Learning to learn is key.' Hassabis's call to action aligns with trends already taking shape across education systems worldwide. However, he cautioned that being tech-savvy alone won't be enough. He emphasized the need for a strong foundation in STEM—particularly coding—while also developing soft 'meta skills' like creativity, adaptability, and resilience. 'These are the capabilities that will help the next generation thrive,' he explained. 'Getting good at the basics of STEM is still crucial, but equally important is developing the mindset to navigate constant change.' Since the release of ChatGPT in 2022, the AI landscape has evolved at lightning speed. With machines now capable of performing many hard skills, Hassabis stressed the need for cognitive flexibility—something he believes will remain uniquely human. 'It's important to use the time you have as an undergraduate to understand yourself better and learn how to learn,' he said in an earlier address to students. 'This capability is more durable and valuable than specific hard skills, which may quickly become outdated in the face of technological advancement.' As AI reshapes industries from tech to healthcare and finance, Hassabis advised students to stay curious and proactive. Beyond classroom learning, he encouraged exploring AI tools and experimenting independently. 'Learn the basics through your formal education, but experiment in your spare time so you're up to date when you graduate,' he recommended. His message is unmistakably clear: the AI revolution is no longer a distant possibility—it's already underway. For today's teens and students, embracing AI with curiosity and agility could be the key to thriving in the workplaces of tomorrow.
