Why you need to embrace chaos with prof. Martin Vechev from INSAIT? | EPISODE 39

Our next guest is a bold dreamer.

When Martin Vechev graduated in Computer Science from Cambridge university he dreamt of creating a world-class research center in his homeland Bulgaria.

Today, his dream is a reality. Martin Vechev is the architect of
The Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) in Sofia. The deep tech institute was created in collaboration with two of the world's leading tech universities, Zurich and Lausanne. It is supported by tech giants like Google, Amazon, Deep Mind, and the Bulgarian government.

Martin Vechev combines several unique talents - he’s a tech entrepreneur, a professor at ETH Zurich, and an award-winning researcher. His efforts are in the field of building secure and fair Artificial Intelligence.

He has co-founded 3 startups in the area of Safe AI, blockchain security, and AI for Code. He has exited two of them already.

In this episode of The Recursive podcast, we get to take a look inside his mind.

In his conversation with Irina, prof. Martin Vechev shares why it was never his dream to become an entrepreneur, but rather to create an impact on science, his students, and the world.

You’ll also learn:

💸 Why did he drop the opportunity to earn money in Canada to follow his passion back to Bulgaria and work at a place where he can learn the most?

🤔 Why problem definition is more important than problem-solving in the world of science and research?
🚀 How his lifelong dream of INSAIT came to life; (“You declare to the world what you want to do because this binds you to your decision. Even if you fail, you either make it or you learn something”)

Host:
🔈 Irina Obushtarova

Producer:
✍️ Zornitsa Stoilova

Creative Director and Video Production :
🎥 Andrey Andonov

Location:
Vlaykova Cinems, Sofia

// A B O U T
The Recursive is an independent media platform for innovation journalism. From entrepreneurs and investors to tech communities, we shine a light on the vibrant innovation ecosystems in Southeast Europe. Our mission is to tell the stories of those shaping the future economy in the region and make them reach the world.

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// WATCH MORE FROM THE RECURSIVE CONNECTS

Live talk with Aleksandar Chaminski, Chief Strategy Officer at Brainster

Live talk with Mihnea Craciun, Managing Director at Endeavor Romania

Live Talk with Kosta Andrić, Executive Director and Partner @ ICT Hub

// S U B S C R I B E

// F O L L O W

[lazarkanelov]

Thanks for the interview! Martin is an amazing person and one of my raw models.
I would like to share some feedback about the technical aspects of the interview that I hope could improve the quality of the podcast in the future:
- The level of Martin's microphone was not enought to hearing him clearly throught the interview, without having to bump the volume;
- Irina was laughting very often, and very loudly that is quite odd, and combined with the 1st point this leads to an overall unpleased experience;
- The background music is simply not needed, especially when there is a person already speaking, it’s okay for an intro or at the end, but having person talking and background music at the same time it’s not ok.