TechCrunch AI Summit: Artemis Seaford & Ion Stoica Debate AI Ethics and Boundaries

As generative AI advances rapidly—becoming more affordable, faster, and increasingly realistic—ethical concerns have escalated from abstract debates to pressing real-world challenges. What safeguards exist as powerful deception tools become democratized? More crucially, how do we develop AI systems that maintain both their transformative potential and essential safeguards for responsible use?

These critical questions will take center stage at TechCrunch Sessions: AI on June 5 in UC Berkeley's Zellerbach Hall. Artemis Seaford, Head of AI Safety at ElevenLabs, will join Ion Stoica, Databricks co-founder and UC Berkeley professor, for a main stage discussion examining today's most complex AI ethics dilemmas. Their dialogue will address the defining challenge of modern technology: understanding what powerful AI systems we're creating—and whether we retain meaningful control over their trajectory.

How Seaford and Stoica are tackling AI's toughest ethical questions

Artemis combines rigorous academic training with hands-on industry expertise. At ElevenLabs, she directs AI safety initiatives focused on media integrity and preventing technological abuse. Her distinguished career includes key positions at OpenAI and Meta, along with extensive work in global risk management spanning legal, policy, and geopolitical dimensions. Attendees can expect practical insights on evolving deepfake threats, emerging vulnerabilities, and evidence-based mitigation strategies.

Ion contributes expansive systems thinking drawn from foundational contributions to AI infrastructure. Beyond his academic leadership, he's developed critical open-source projects like Spark, Ray, and ChatBot Arena that underpin modern AI deployments. As Databricks' executive chairman and serial AI entrepreneur, Ion possesses unmatched perspective on scaling AI responsibly while acknowledging current technical limitations.

Their combined session will illuminate ethical gaps in contemporary development practices, demonstrate how safety measures can integrate into architectural foundations, and clarify the respective responsibilities of commercial, academic, and regulatory stakeholders moving forward.

Join the front lines of AI — insight, access, and $600+ in ticket savings

This discussion anchors a full-day immersion into artificial intelligence's cutting edge, featuring thought leaders from OpenAI, Google Cloud, Anthropic, Cohere, and other pioneering organizations. Participants will gain actionable intelligence through authentic conversations that bridge research, industry, and entrepreneurship—all facilitated through curated networking opportunities.

Register today for substantial savings—over $300 discount with additional 50% reductions for companion tickets. Whether you're shaping AI's future or navigating its impacts, this gathering offers essential perspectives for professionals across disciplines.

Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI

Secure your spot for our leading AI industry event with speakers from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Cohere. For a limited time, tickets are just $292 for an entire day of expert talks, workshops, and potent networking.

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Berkeley, CA | June 5 REGISTER NOW The tools are moving fast. The ethics need to catch up. Don't get left behind — learn how to stay compliant.