Please tell us briefly how you came to Stanford – what brings you to California?
CHRISTOPHER HAHN: I'd love to! After completing my PhD, I decided to apply to the "CISPA-Stanford Center for Cybersecurity" to continue my research in artificial intelligence and security at a world-leading level. The collaboration between CISPA and Stanford University represents an ideal combination for me: The drive and energy of an emerging research institute coupled with the experience and expertise of one of the most prestigious universities in the world. After completing my postdoc at CISPA, I moved to Silicon Valley with my family last August to be a visiting professor at Stanford University, researching, teaching, and engaging with startups on the latest challenges and their solutions.
As a startup magnet, Silicon Valley is known for attracting many to join a startup directly after graduation, either as a founder themselves or as a team member. Can you confirm this with the new acquaintances you've made? Do many people there work in startups and hope to have found "The Next Big Thing"?
CHRISTOPHER HAHN: I can absolutely confirm that. Silicon Valley is a hotspot for startups. Even as a professor and researcher, it's part of being a founder to turn the latest research into a great product as quickly as possible and make it available to as many people as possible. However, in conversations with colleagues, students and new acquaintances, I am particularly impressed by the awareness that their startup attempts will most likely not be successful (in one way or another). This mindset, which involves a mix of risk-taking, responsibility, and a certain amount of self-overestimation, seems to be very successful.
Large Language Models are a big topic right now. What do you think could be the next breakthrough technology?
CHRISTOPHER HAHN: It looks to me at the moment as if the all-embracing topic in Silicon Valley remains artificial intelligence (AI) and the attempt to solve as many tasks as possible automatically with machine learning models. The technology behind Large Language Models, the Transformer, is just now being applied step by step to new problems. Personally, I am most interested in the application of AI to code, mathematics and logic, and digital health. In all these areas, it is of great importance that artificial intelligence works reliably and trustworthily, or at least can be controlled.
Which topics are currently working well for startups there?
CHRISTOPHER HAHN: The biggest hype in Silicon Valley right now is "Generative AI," which is artificial intelligence that can virtually generate content in any form of media (text, images, videos,...). Forbes reports that in 2022 alone, $2.6 billion was invested in 110 deals in Generative AI startups, and according to the 2022 Stanford AI Report, a total of $93 billion was privately invested in AI startups in 2021. These high levels of investment are not surprising, as about one-third of U.S. venture capital is invested in Silicon Valley. In general, startups in Silicon Valley are not shy about addressing the big issues of our time. In addition to AI, digital health and ideas and innovations in the area of climate protection are also currently playing an important role.
In recent months, the media have repeatedly reported a vibe shift in Silicon Valley. Tech companies, including Google, Amazon and Meta, are laying off thousands of employees and fearing a recession. How do you experience the situation in the startup scene there?
CHRISTOPHER HAHN: I can confirm this observation from my environment. In particular, I am observing an exodus of AI specialists from large companies to startups in order to develop new products quickly and leanly with the new technologies. In this exciting time, everyone is trying to do their best and stay ahead of the big tech companies in terms of innovation through their agility. So I can understand the fears of the big companies. There is a lot of competition in the startup scene right now between small startups and big companies. It's a race between David and Goliath.
Is it totally easy to found a startup in Silicon Valley, or are there big hurdles and obstacles there, too?
CHRISTOPHER HAHN: Founding a startup in the U.S. is theoretically easy because there are few hurdles, for example, to form an LLC ("Limited Liability Company"), which costs on average just over 100 U.S. dollars and is even possible outside of the U.S.
However, if one wants to be based in Silicon Valley, there are significant challenges, such as the issue of work permits, the fact that Silicon Valley is one of the most competitive places in the world, and the high cost of living, such as rents for office space and housing, and high employee salaries. This makes it difficult for startups to last long, even with the high investment sums mentioned above.
What are the advantages of starting a business in Germany and CISPA in particular?
CHRISTOPHER HAHN: Starting a business at CISPA and in Germany has its own advantages compared to Silicon Valley. At CISPA, there is a Silicon Valley-type environment with a strong focus on research and innovation. Saarland University offers excellent education in the field of computer science and promotion of young talent. Furthermore, there is a high willingness to invest on the part of the federal and state governments as well as a dynamic and dedicated incubation team. Compared to Silicon Valley, the cost of living in Saarland is lower, which makes up for the investment sums. Events, such as the last CISPA Startup Comunity Event, also show how strong the bond between founders is here; something you might look for in Silicon Valley in vain.
What can we learn from the startup scene there?
CHRISTOPHER HAHN: What particularly impresses me is the fact that in Silicon Valley, all participants - whether researchers, founders or investors - pull together to keep the ecosystem alive, even though they each pursue their own interests. This mindset can be traced back to Frederick Terman, who was Dean of the School of Engineering at Stanford University from 1944 to 1958. He encouraged students and faculty members alike to start their own companies to fulfill their responsibilities and help shape a structural change in the western United States. He is credited with the following quote: "When we set out to create a community of technical scholars in Silicon Valley, there wasn't much here and the rest of the world looked awfully big. Now a lot of the rest of the world is here." We have a similar task ahead of us here in Saarland. We can definitely learn to be self-confident and responsible.
What are the chances that you will also found your own company one day?
CHRISTOPHER HAHN: The chances are very high. I would even say it's only a matter of time. (;
>> Christopher Hahn
>> CISPA-Stanford Center
