Next Episodes of AI Renaissance.

Reuters called it “a real time, full sensory experience.” 120M+ readers saw it. But only a few Insiders truly felt it.

June 17, 2025

AI is no longer something we observe. It’s something we step into. And on May 14 in San Francisco, we opened that door.

Before we officially begin, we are pleased to host an exclusive AI Insiders Cybersecurity Event this Friday, June 20.

Attendance is strictly limited to ensure a highly curated and focused discussion.
Several industry leaders are already confirmed, including:

This will be a rare opportunity to join select founders, CISOs, investors, and operators shaping the AI & cybersecurity.

If you wish to be part of this select group and join the conversation for AI & cybersecurity, we encourage you to secure your spot while availability remains.

AI Insiders: Media & Content wasn’t another conference. It was a living prototype of how intelligence, creativity, and culture converge and it redefined what an AI event could feel like.

The Atmosphere Was the Message

As the sun sank into the Bay, Napa reds flowed, a live saxophone swirled through the air, and KLING AI visuals transformed the walls. The vibe wasn’t futuristic. It was immediate. Present. Real.

And the format? Anything but traditional.

When Machines Made Music

Pianist AyseDeniz Gokcin took her seat at a concert-grade KAWAI piano. But she wasn’t alone. She improvised in real time with an AI model trained to respond. What unfolded was not just performance but dialogue.

Emotion met computation.
And the audience paused.
Because something shifted.

Voices That Reshape the Narrative

Cuneyt Ozdemir, a journalist trusted by 10M+ globally, asked the question only he could:

“Can AI protect the free press or become its greatest threat?”

The room was still. Then came Prof. De Kai, co-creator of Google Translate. He didn’t talk algorithms. He spoke about understanding.

“Machines must interpret before they generate.”

His message wasn’t technical. It was human.

Vision from the Edge

From MIT Media Lab, Prof. Ramesh Raskar presented Project NANDA, a decentralized future web of trillions of autonomous AI agents.
A framework not just for information but for intelligence itself. Bold, yes. But actionable.

Capital, Creators, and Code

C.C. Gong (Menlo Ventures), Avni Barman (Gen She), and Victoria Herlitz (Meta) shared how the next media wave isn’t just infrastructure, it’s community-powered, creator-led, and AI-native.

Founders from KLING AI, Hoopt, BitHuman, Boundless AI, and NewPort AI didn’t pitch. They demoed. In real time.

What People Felt

As Reuters wrote, “Marvelous is leading the experiential AI movement.”
This wasn’t just an event. It was a shift in format.

It didn’t ask what can AI do? It asked what does it mean to live with it?

Full Reuters Feature: Read the article

Prof. Ramesh Raskar — MIT Media Lab
Visionary behind Project NANDA. Reimagining the internet for AI agents—with autonomy, ethics, and scale.

Prof. De Kai — HKUST / Google Translate Co-Creator
A philosopher-coder shaping global AI ethics policy. His talk re-centered the conversation on understanding over automation.

Cuneyt Ozdemir — Founder, CNN Turk
One of the world’s most agile journalists. Delivered hard truths about AI’s role in global media and press freedom.

C.C. Gong — Principal, Menlo Ventures
Leads investments in AI-native creators and media infrastructure. Backing tomorrow’s digital empires.

Avni Barman — Founder, Gen She
Community builder empowering over 500,000 tech creators with access, capital, and voice.

Victoria Herlitz — Creator-AI Bridge, Meta
Translates AI capabilities into monetization for global creators. Deeply embedded in platform-product bridges.

AyseDeniz Gokcin — Virtuoso Pianist & TED AI Speaker
Blended classical composition with machine learning. Delivered a live AI-human duet that captivated the room.

Julian Reyes — Director, Virtual Worlds Museum™
Preserving cultural heritage through XR and AI. Demoed immersive storytelling that redefines how we experience history.

By the Numbers

  • 150+ curated guests 

  • 120M+ media impressions

  • 4.5/5 event rating

Want to See It?

Powered by Our Partners

Marvelous — Designed the entire experience from first impression to final toast blending creative direction with AI-native precision to make every moment count.
Swissnex — A nexus for research, innovation, and the arts in San Francisco, and the generous hosts of our gathering at the iconic Pier 17.
Pirix — Delivered speaker highlights to 200+ global newsrooms, amplifying our conversations before the night was even over.
PLAUD AI — Captured every word, and turned conversations into clear, structured, and shareable notes with sleek, AI-powered precision.
Hoopt — Turned everyday moments into smart, shareable lists from restaurant recommendations to books and movies with an AI-powered app that organizes life as you live it.
KAWAI — Brought warmth and resonance to our AI-powered performance, with concert-grade pianos that made the machine feel alive.

A great big thank you to Stacy Lee and Erick Davidson for these beautiful photos!

Deepest gratitude to our brilliant partners, inspiring speakers, generous volunteers, and every incredible guest who made this gathering not just possible, but powerful.


Startup Spotlight: HOOPT — Your Joyful Life Companion
Capture, organize & share your favorite places, movies, books (and more) in one beautiful, private app. Collaborate with friends, tap into community-driven recommendations, and rediscover life’s treasures effortlessly.

If you are interested in featuring your startup in our Startup Spotlight during our events, please feel free to reach out by replying to this newsletter.

What’s Next for AI Insiders

🎟️ Join the next salon or inquire about partnerships.

Till next time,

Merve Isler
Ecosystem Builder, AI Insiders Founder & CEO, Marvelous

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