835: AI Systems as Productivity Engines — with You.com’s Bryan McCann

Protein Models

Bryan McCann explores the innovative application of language models in protein generation, a field that bridges biology and AI. He describes how the Progen model, initially trained for text, was adapted for protein sequences, leading to the creation of proteins with enhanced properties not found in nature. This approach highlights the potential of AI to revolutionize biological research by generating proteins that are more efficient and effective for specific tasks 1.

The fact that literally taking control, which was a model trained on English and then using that to train on proteins, was a much more stable training curve and a faster learning curve than training from scratch.

--- Bryan McCann

McCann emphasizes the importance of context and conditional generation in this process, which allows for more precise control over the protein's function and family 2.

   

Enterprise Focus

In the realm of enterprise AI solutions, Bryan McCann outlines You.com's strategic focus on enhancing productivity through automated workflows. Unlike traditional search engines, You.com prioritizes complex, automated processes that can significantly boost a company's productivity without increasing headcount 3. This shift from consumer-focused search to enterprise solutions marks a pivotal change in You.com's business model.

Our functionality is getting further and further away from those quick, concise knowledge, like quick knowledge based answers that you can find on the web.

--- Bryan McCann

McCann explains that the company's success is now tied to customer success, emphasizing the importance of tailored solutions that meet specific business needs 4.