Silicon Companions - Robots and Smart Devices in Daily Life
posted: 11-Jun-2025 & updated: 13-Jun-2025
Want to share this event? Use this link – https://k-privateai.github.io/event-announcements/08 – to share this event!
Invitation
Innovators, Technologists, and AI Enthusiasts!
We are thrilled to invite you to the eighth edition of the K-PAI Forum, a premier gathering for researchers, industry leaders, and innovators exploring the frontier of privacy-first AI technologies. Following the remarkable success of our “Autonomous Alliance - AI Agents in a Connected World” forum, this event will explore how robots and smart devices are becoming integral companions in our daily lives—examining both the revolutionary opportunities and critical responsibility considerations in deploying these technologies while maintaining privacy and ethical standards.
- Date: June 18, 2025 (Wednesday)
- Time: 5pm - 8pm PDT
- Venue: Altos Ventures
Join us for an evening of insightful discussions, networking, and cutting-edge research at the intersection of robotics, smart devices, and responsible AI! Our forums have become a cornerstone for meaningful dialogue in Silicon Valley’s tech community, bringing together entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists, investors, and thought leaders.
Check out Reflection on K-PAI’s Seventh Forum: The Autonomous Alliance - AI Agents in a Connected World to see how our previous Autonomous Alliance event was a resounding success!
- Please RSVP via this link!
- Please visit K-PAI Membership to learn about our K-PAI membership for the qualification and all exclusive perks you can enjoy!
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
We extend our sincere gratitude to Altos Ventures who make this valuable networking and knowledge-sharing opportunity possible, and who will be hosting us with an exceptional luxury sushi buffet dinner and premium beverages throughout the evening!


Reception & Networking (5pm ~ 6pm)
Experience our signature networking reception featuring a luxurious sushi buffet dinner and premium beverages, graciously provided by Altos Ventures! This exceptional culinary experience will provide the perfect atmosphere for meaningful connections and conversations while you enjoy gourmet cuisine in an elegant setting.
Featured Presentations (6pm ~ 7:20pm)
Inside Altos: How We Think About VC and the Market Today
- Speaker: Han Kim, General Partner @ Altos Ventures
- Time: 6pm ~ 6:10pm
Get an exclusive insider’s perspective on the current venture capital landscape from one of Silicon Valley’s most respected investors. Han will share Altos Ventures’ investment philosophy, current market trends, and how they evaluate emerging technologies in the AI and robotics space. This opening session will provide valuable context for understanding the investment climate for innovative companies in the silicon companions ecosystem.
The Recipe for Imitation Learning in Self-Driving
- Speaker: Cong Jie Ng, CTO @ Mars Auto
- Time: 6:10pm ~ 6:35pm
This talk outlines the core challenges and essential components of applying imitation learning to end-to-end autonomous driving using camera input. Unlike traditional robotic manipulation tasks—where experts can explicitly demonstrate a wide range of recovery behaviors—self-driving requires robust handling of out-of-distribution situations such as lane deviations, which are rarely captured in expert demonstrations. This makes pure imitation learning in self-driving especially challenging. The talk will also discuss strategies industry leaders use to bridge this gap.
Building Responsible AI, Robotics, and Agents
- Speaker: Victor Cho, CEO @ Emovid
- Time: 6:35pm ~ 7pm
In this 25-minute discussion, Victor will share a very simple framework for building responsible technology and businesses—whether it is robotic hardware systems or agentic software experiences. He will explain why responsibility is so critical in today’s AI-enabled world, and why building AI experiences that amplify vs. replace human capabilities should be the first step on our journey.
Introduction of Altos Ventures
- Speaker: Tae Yoon, Partner @ Altos Ventures
- Time: 7pm ~ 7:20pm
Discover the story and vision behind Altos Ventures, one of Silicon Valley’s prominent venture capital firms. Tae will introduce the firm’s portfolio companies, investment areas of focus, and their unique approach to supporting entrepreneurs building the next generation of technology companies. Learn about Altos Ventures’ commitment to fostering innovation in AI, robotics, and emerging technologies that are shaping our digital future.
Q&A & Further Networking (7:20pm ~ 8pm)
The moments that all K-PAI participants love most! – This interactive session provides a unique opportunity to engage directly with our expert speakers, addressing your specific questions about robotics, smart devices, responsible AI development, and their privacy implications. Mingle with venture capitalists from Altos Ventures and gain differentiated insights from their investment perspectives on emerging technologies, market trends, and what makes startups successful in the AI and robotics space. Bring your most challenging questions, share your insights, and participate in the vibrant exchange of ideas that has become a hallmark of K-PAI events. Previous forums have seen some of the most valuable connections and collaborations emerge during these dynamic discussions, where industry leaders, researchers, practitioners, and investors bridge theory and application in real-time conversations.
Why Attend?
Attending this event offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights into the rapidly evolving field of robotics and smart devices in daily life. You’ll have the chance to network with leading experts from Altos Ventures, Mars Auto, and Emovid, who are at the forefront of developing responsible AI systems and robotic technologies. Get insider perspectives on venture capital trends, learn about cutting-edge autonomous driving techniques, and explore frameworks for responsible AI development. Engage in thought-provoking discussions about the technical innovations, ethical considerations, and privacy implications of living alongside intelligent silicon companions. Additionally, you’ll be able to connect with Silicon Valley’s vibrant and innovative tech community, and learn about practical applications that are transforming how we interact with technology in our homes, workplaces, and communities.
Target Audience
The event is tailored to a diverse yet focused audience. It caters to:
- AI researchers and practitioners
- Robotics engineers and developers
- Privacy technology professionals
- Smart device and IoT specialists
- Hardware engineers and designers
- Tech industry leaders and decision-makers
- Technology investors and entrepreneurs
- Human-computer interaction researchers
- Ethics and responsible AI advocates
- Journalists and technology media professionals
- Anyone interested in the future of human-robot collaboration
We look forward to your participation in this exciting forum! If you have any questions or topics you’d like to discuss, please don’t hesitate to reach out at k.private.ai@gmail.com.
Best regards,