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YouTube28 Jan 2026
25m

Better Wings: Why We Invested in Flapping Airplanes

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GV (Google Ventures)

Flapping Airplanes founders Ben, Asher, and Aiden discuss their AI research company with Google Ventures' Dave Wunikello, emphasizing a data-efficient approach to AI development. They argue that the current AI landscape is idea-constrained rather than data-constrained, and they aim to create AI models that require significantly less data than current frontier models. The founders highlight their focus on hiring unconventional talent, including individuals with strong problem-solving skills and a high schooler adept at AI-assisted coding. They also draw inspiration from neuroscience, particularly the brain's efficient and sparse learning mechanisms, to guide their AI research, and the company culture emphasizes finding the right answer and pursuing ambitious goals.

Outlines

Part 1: Vision, Strategy, and Team

Part 2: Identity and Technical Philosophy

Part 3: Company Building and First Principles

Part 4: Recruitment and Future Outlook

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