Nikolas Kairinos' odyssey with technology began at the age of 11 with a Sinclair ZX80, maturing into a distinguished four-decade career in AI research, including Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). As the Founder and Chief AI Architect of Fountech Group, Kairinos has transcended the traditional pathways of AI, advocating for an integration of conventional machine learning with deeper cognitive processes. Renowned for his dynamic approach to co-venturing, Kairinos has devised a business model that aligns Fountech Group's triumphs with those of its partners, fostering advancements that are as transformative as they are integral to the digital and technological framework of modern businesses. His influence stretches across the expanse of the deep-tech ecosystem, where his counsel and expertise empower startups tackling global challenges through AI and deep-tech solutions.

Throughout the interview, we encounter a mind intricately intertwined with the pursuit of AI excellence and its ethical implementation. Kairinos recounts the genesis of Fountech Group and outlines his methodical approach to cultivating a multitude of ventures, championing the shared innovation that drives the Fountech ecosystem. Ethical imperatives are at the forefront of Kairinos' philosophy, as he discusses how Fountech embeds societal values and moral frameworks within its AI ventures, actively engaging in the policy-making conversation to steer the ethical deployment of AI. He reflects on the journey towards AGI and the significance of formulating a policy framework that nurtures ethical alignment and adaptability in the face of rapid technological progress. Closing the dialogue, Kairinos shares his anticipation for emerging technologies such as quantum computing and its intersection with healthcare, highlighting the expansive potential of AI to reshape our collective future.

The seeds of Fountech Group were sown during my early involvement with technology at age 11, programming on a Sinclair ZX80. This early curiosity, fuelled by a love for mathematics and coding, blossomed into a profound appreciation for the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI). Yet, my vision stretches beyond AI; it's about utilising AI and deep-tech to enact meaningful change. This drive is further invigorated by my deep love for startups and the boundless innovation they represent.

What sets Fountech Group apart in the AI co-venturing domain is our unique approach—not merely chasing groundbreaking innovations, but ensuring these solutions are finely honed to meet real-world market needs. Our curiosity extends to all deep-tech sectors with foundational AI at their core. We marry technical expertise with commercial insight, guiding ideas from spark to market readiness.

Our co-venturing philosophy transcends ephemeral solutions; it's about nurturing ventures with the mettle to shape a better future. In every partnership, we bring more than AI innovation; we impart strategic counsel to integrate an ‘intelligence layer’ that catalyses transformative growth, fostering a harmonious nexus between AI and human intellect to drive sustained progress.

As the key strategist, thought leader, and AI architect across Fountech's myriad ventures, my role is to envision and steer the strategic direction, while each business is piloted day-to-day by adept CEOs leading competent teams. The linchpin of our success is the assembly of smart, capable, and passionate individuals, whose collective prowess makes managing multiple ventures feasible.

The symbiosis among Fountech businesses is deep. Although they operate independently, the cross-pollination of ideas and advancements fosters a culture of collective innovation. Our clients, portfolio companies, and partners significantly benefit from these synergies, deriving amplified value from our integrated approach.

With regards to portfolio companies like Soffos, they stand as independent entities with their own management, yet my involvement persists in strategic counsel, aiding in key decision-making, and playing a seminal role in AI architecture. This orchestrated approach, underpinned by collaborative spirit, and shared technological foundations, not only drives each venture towards its unique objectives but also enriches the entire Fountech ecosystem, ultimately delivering enhanced value to all stakeholders involved.

In traversing the AI landscape, ethical considerations are pivotal at Fountech Group, with a focus on transparency, fairness, and data privacy. These principles are not merely theoretical but are embedded in our AI systems to prevent unintended consequences such as biases or 'going rogue'. For instance, we're developing a 'rogue detection' module to monitor AI models, ensuring alignment with expected behaviour and ethical guidelines.

Our ventures embody this ethical approach. Take Humatix, which aims at aligning AI with diverse ethical frameworks, evaluating moral standings of AI outputs and fostering a generation of AI that operates within human-defined moral boundaries. This venture is part of our broader effort to ensure AI resonates with societal values.

Furthermore, we actively engage in dialogues with stakeholders, policymakers, and communities, seeking to foster a broader understanding and consensus on ethical AI deployment. This engagement extends to our portfolio companies, where we assist in strategic decision-making, always with an eye on ethical implications.

Our ambition transcends technological innovation; it’s about ensuring our AI initiatives are harmoniously intertwined with ethical norms and societal values, making a positive impact while mitigating risks. Through these measures, we strive not only to innovate but to nurture a societal fabric in an age where AI becomes increasingly enmeshed in our daily lives.

Embarking on the voyage towards Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is about forging a symbiotic fusion of human and artificial intelligence, succinctly encapsulated in my axiom: AGI = AI + HI. A fundamental aspect is creating high bandwidth connections between humans and machines, allowing real-time human-in-the-loop feedback to guide and train AI decisions, especially as stakes escalate.

Technically, transcending conventional deep learning towards more refined solutions is pivotal. Our quest involves developing a foundational 'base language' and emulating human cognitive abilities within AI models, allowing for reasoning, comprehension, and interaction akin to human intelligence. Continuous learning and adaptation, alongside achieving 'contextual understanding', are crucial milestones.

Ethically, a robust framework ensuring responsible evolution towards AGI is imperative. Initiatives like Humatix aim for moral alignment, infusing morality into AI, evaluating AI outputs against diverse human ethical frameworks. Concurrently, engaging with stakeholders, policy-makers, and communities for a broader consensus on ethical AI deployment is essential.

Furthermore, interdisciplinary collaboration, blending insights from AI, neuroscience, psychology, among others, and public engagement are integral for a holistic approach towards AGI. The journey is as much about technical advancements as it is about ensuring societal and ethical harmony, crafting a future where AGI augments human intellect, operates within ethical bounds, and is sculpted with continuous human guidance.

In the dialogue surrounding a cohesive policy framework for AI, my emphasis lies on ethical alignment, transparency, and inclusivity. A critical perspective is that regulation should embrace the tech sector’s involvement; a top-down approach is insufficient.

As AI's pace accelerates to blazing speeds, incorporating AI in policy creation and especially in identifying deviations is crucial since human reaction time may fall short.

The aviation industry serves as a pertinent example, where regulation and policy evolved with each incident, leading to its current safety record. Similarly, we must permit mistakes within AI research and development, learning and evolving from them.

The potential for AI to address global challenges is immense, thus a framework promoting innovation while adhering to ethical and privacy standards is vital. Cross-sector collaboration, global alignment, and continuous learning are paramount, enabling an adaptable policy landscape that resonates with technological advancements. Including the tech sector and fostering a collaborative environment among public institutions, private enterprises, academia, and civil society will ensure a balanced, well-rounded policy framework.

This collaborative ethos, paired with an allowance for iterative development, akin to the aviation industry's evolution, will harness AI's potential responsibly, advancing solutions for the world’s pressing issues while upholding ethical integrity.

Numerous domains and technologies hold promise for our future ventures, especially with the advent of quantum computing. This technology, coupled with enhanced access to CPUs, GPUs, and QPUs, is set to dramatically accelerate AI development.

Particularly in healthcare, quantum computation and AI can fuel advancements in diagnostics, treatment planning, and drug discovery.

The realm of robotics, extending to nanorobotics, unveils medical applications like targeted drug delivery.

Furthermore, Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMIs) are projected to play a crucial role, forming high bandwidth feedback loops between humans and machines, accelerating our stride towards AGI.

The democratization of AI is a thrilling prospect, enabling individuals to launch startups with minimal capital, addressing job displacement and poverty issues. This democratization extends to knowledge access, with education being the pivotal domino in resolving many global challenges.

Our ventures are geared towards harnessing these technologies, propelling advancements in healthcare solutions, and fostering a rich ecosystem where AI, quantum computing, and human-centric technologies converge to solve pressing world issues.

The exploration of these domains isn’t merely a technical pursuit but a holistic approach to intertwining advanced computation, ethical AI, and societal betterment.

What: FounTech Group

More Info: fountech.group

Who: Nikolas Kairinos' journey in the realms of technology and artificial intelligence began at the tender age of 11 when he first encountered the Sinclair ZX80. This early exposure sparked what would become a lifelong dedication to mathematics, coding, and the transformative power of AI. Kairinos has spent over four decades deeply immersed in AI and AGI-related research, cultivating an expansive and nuanced understanding of the field. His work consistently challenges and extends the boundaries of AI's capabilities. Kairinos is known for advocating a shift beyond mainstream AI. He promotes the integration of conventional machine learning techniques with deeper, more original thought processes, steering clear of the beaten path. His approach is not just theoretical but practical, as he actively engages in co-venturing, creating and fostering high-impact AI innovations designed to seamlessly integrate with established digital and technological businesses. These collaborations aren't simply additive; they have the potential to revolutionize aspects of business such as marketing, delivery, and strategic planning. His business model is distinctive in that it eschews traditional upfront charges, opting instead for an alignment of his own success with that of his partners. This approach secures a share in the augmented revenue stream, ensuring that all parties share in the collaborative growth and success, while also minimizing risk. As an AGI visionary, Kairinos is committed to bridging the gap between human and artificial intelligence. He champions the development of a foundational 'base language' for AI that is both precise and efficient, which he believes will be crucial for the future evolution of AI. His influence extends globally over three decades as an entrepreneur, investor, and mentor, contributing significantly to various tech startups. Kairinos' expertise goes beyond technological innovation; he offers strategic counsel, assists in prototype development, drafts scientific papers, and helps in the drafting of patent applications. Kairinos’ impact is not limited to AI alone; his engagement spans across the deep-tech ecosystem, including mathematical methods and deep-tech startups, particularly those addressing major global challenges with AI and deep-tech solutions. With a passionate commitment to revolutionizing education and fostering global innovation, Kairinos places special emphasis on advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #4, which focuses on quality education. He firmly believes that to truly understand and excel in artificial intelligence, one must adopt a mindset that goes beyond learning—it requires a way of thinking that he diligently practices and promotes. At the core of Kairinos’ endeavors is a powerful mantra: "You don't learn artificial intelligence; you need to think it." This philosophy embodies his commitment to navigating unexplored territories in AI with a spirit of ceaseless innovation and the potential for profound transformation.