AI experts and investors gathered at the Axios’ AI+ Summit this week to discuss the future of the industry, with some predicting a “startup mass extinction event” due to the rapid advancements in AI technology.

Investors at Sequoia Capital and Andreessen Horowitz, however, expressed optimism, stating that they are still actively investing in AI startups, particularly those focused on solving complex problems with their products.

They cautioned against investing in companies that are merely incremental improvements of existing AI infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of originality and innovation.

The discussion also highlighted the growing importance of international AI talent, with both firms acknowledging the hotbeds of innovation emerging outside of Silicon Valley.

On the topic of copyrights and the use of data in AI systems, investors expressed cautious optimism about OpenAI’s announcement that it will defend customers accused of infringement. They believe this move signals OpenAI’s confidence in the legal defensibility of its technology.

The sources for this piece include an article in Axios.