Conversation with Zhang Yaqin: AI is not a bubble, but AI companies are
Summary
This interview centers on Zhang Yaqin’s view that AI itself is not a bubble, but many AI companies and valuations are. He argues that most professor-led startups work best when researchers stay focused on technology while experienced operators handle commercialization. He also warns that many AI and robotics startups are still proving themselves and should stay disciplined about fundraising and execution. The discussion covers physical AI, robotics data challenges, VLA models, world models, and the need to solve specific real-world problems before chasing general intelligence. He frames the current AI cycle as similar to the late 1990s internet boom, with strong long-term potential but clear short-term excess.
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