Ashton Kutcher explains why he's betting on AI, but not trying to pick a 'winner'
Ashton Kutcher believes that every company is going to become an AI company, but that there might not be a winner in the space.
Ashton Kutcher, co-founder of Sound Ventures, believes that every company is going to become an AI company, but that there might not be a winner in the space.
The actor and investor spoke at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 on Tuesday alongside Sound co-founder Guy Oseary and partner Effie Epstein to detail what the firm is looking for in founders and startups, and how they believe foundational AI companies are setting the stage for the future.
“Foundation-layer AI companies are going to be some of the most valuable companies that have ever been created in the history of humankind,” Kutcher said.
He said it’s easy to underestimate how big of a deal AI is, and that he believes foundational AI models are going to be the foundation of everything to come.
“There will not be a company in the world that is not, in some way, shape, or form, using AI in the future,” Kutcher said. “So every company is going to be an AI company. And it’s our thesis that whether it’s open source AI, whether it’s closed systems like Anthropic or OpenAI or World Labs, or whether you’re building software using Magic.dev, those things are going to be the underpinnings of everything else.”
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Here's a more detailed biography of Ashton Kutcher:
Early life and education
Ashton Kutcher was born on February 7, 1978, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Diane and Stephen Kutcher. His father was a insurance salesman, and his mother was a homemaker. Kutcher has two younger siblings, a brother named Michael and a sister named Tasha.
Kutcher grew up in a small town in Iowa and was a athletic child. He was a star basketball player in high school and was also a member of the school's drama club. He was a charismatic and outgoing child, and he was always interested in performing and making people laugh.
After high school, Kutcher enrolled at Iowa Wesleyan College, a small liberal arts college in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. However, he didn't last long at the college. He dropped out after one year to pursue a career in acting.
Move to New York City and Early Career
In 1997, Kutcher moved to New York city to pursue a career in acting. He had no connections in the industry and had to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. He worked as a model, waiting tables, and even sold plasma to make money.
Despite the challenges, Kutcher persevered and eventually landed a few small roles in independent films and TV shows. He appeared in the 1998 film "Loser," which was his first major role.
Breakthrough and Success
Kutcher's breakthrough role came in 1998 when he was cast as Michael Kelso on the popular Fox sitcom "That '70s Show." The show was a huge success and ran for eight seasons, making Kutcher a household name.
During his time on "That '70s Show," Kutcher also began to land film roles. He appeared in the 2000 film "Just Visiting," and he also had a supporting role in the 2003 film "Dude, Where's My Car?"
In 2003, Kutcher starred alongside Brittany Murphy in the romantic comedy "Just Married." The film was a box office success, and Kutcher's performance earned him critical acclaim.
In 2005, Kutcher starred in the romantic comedy "Guess Who," which was a commercial success. He also appeared in the film "The Butterfly Effect," which was a critical success.
Punk'd and Other Ventures
In 2003, Kutcher created and produced the MTV reality show "Punk'd," which became a huge success. The show featured Kutcher playing pranks on celebrities and making them think that they had been duped.
Kutcher also began to invest in other ventures, including a production company called Katalyst media. The company produced several films and TV shows, including the TV series "The Beauty Below."
In 2011, Kutcher co-founded the venture capital firm A-Grade investments, which focuses on investing in early-stage startups. The Firm has invested in several companies, including Uber and Airbnb.
Personal Life
Kutcher has been married twice. His first marriage was to actress Demi Moore in 2005, but the couple divorced in 2013. Kutcher and Moore have two children together, a daughter named Faith and a son named Dempsey.
In 2015, Kutcher married actress Mila Kunis, and the couple has two children together, a daughter named Wyatt and a son named Dimitri.
Philanthropy
Kutcher is also involved in several charitable organizations, including the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which he co-founded in 2006. The foundation focuses on finding a cure for Parkinson's disease.
Kutcher has also been involved in several other charitable organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Children's hospital Los Angeles.
Influence and Legacy
Kutcher has been named one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2015. He has also been recognized for his philanthropic work, particularly in the area of education and technology.
Throughout his career, Kutcher has been known for his charisma and sense of humor. He has become a household name, and his influence can be seen in many areas of popular culture.