In 2025, the world of artificial intelligence has been nothing short of wild, marked by the emergence of “thinking” models and a surge in AI-driven video creation—including efforts by OpenAI to produce fictionalized content. The stage is being set for the upcoming Cerebral Valley AI Summit—a premier gathering for startup founders and investors, co-hosted by Eric Newcomer alongside his friends Max Child and James Wilman of the voice-AI games company Voli. Together they’re resuming their playful “AI startup draft,” selecting the most buzzworthy startup names in Silicon Valley to help listeners understand which companies are catching the insiders’ eye.
Before diving into their draft picks, the conversation opens with a reflection on the key AI trends of the past year and sets the scene for what comes next at Cerebral Valley.
