As generative AI continues to advance rapidly, becoming faster, cheaper, and increasingly convincing, the risks associated with these technologies have shifted from theoretical worries into immediate ethical challenges. With powerful tools for deception becoming widely accessible, the pressing question for technologists, industry leaders, and regulators alike is how to build and deploy AI systems that are not only extraordinarily capable but also trustworthy and safe.
On June 5, two influential voices in the artificial intelligence space will directly tackle this issue at TechCrunch Sessions: AI, hosted at UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall. Artemis Seaford, Head of AI Safety at ElevenLabs, and Ion Stoica, co-founder of Databricks and a leading professor at UC Berkeley, will take the stage to confront the ethical dilemmas posed by today’s advanced AI technology.
Seaford’s expertise comes from both rigorous academic inquiry and direct practical experience. At ElevenLabs, she leads efforts to ensure AI systems remain authentic and to prevent misuse, particularly in media and communication contexts. Her prior roles, including positions at OpenAI, Meta, and engagements involving geopolitical policy and global risk, assure a comprehensive and pragmatic perspective on threats such as deepfake proliferation, emerging vulnerabilities, and effective intervention strategies.
Ion Stoica brings a unique systems-oriented approach rooted in his extensive experience designing foundational AI infrastructures. Widely recognized for his contribution to massively influential open-source ecosystems like Spark, Ray, and ChatBot Arena, Stoica remains an authoritative figure on the practical realities of deploying scalable AI responsibly. His leadership as executive chairman at Databricks further positions him at the intersection of research and industry, where he continuously evaluates the technological limits and ethical considerations associated with these powerful tools.
In dialogue at TechCrunch Sessions: AI, Seaford and Stoica will identify ethical blind spots embedded in current development frameworks, explore actionable strategies to integrate safety directly into fundamental AI architectures, and analyze key responsibilities for academia, industry stakeholders, and policymakers alike.
This session will serve as a highlight within a broader, full-day event featuring top-tier representatives from prominent organizations such as OpenAI, Google Cloud, Anthropic, and Cohere. Participants will benefit from expert analysis, candid discussions on pressing AI issues, and invaluable networking opportunities. Attendees will also engage directly with industry leaders in specialized breakout sessions, examining specific tactical and strategic questions about AI’s rapidly evolving landscape.
Ultimately, as the technology advances at unprecedented speed, the ethical implications are multiplying rapidly—and catching up becomes essential for anyone invested in building or relying on artificial intelligence. Seaford and Stoica’s upcoming conversation will undoubtedly provide attendees with clarity, insight, and a sense of direction amid heightened uncertainty and complexity.
