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Silicon Valley Unplugged is Sparknify’s flagship in-studio tech discussion show. Filmed in the heart of Silicon Valley, each episode brings together founders, investors, academics, and thought leaders for candid conversations on how technology is shaping our lives, industries, and the future of innovation. Designed to capture the true spirit of Silicon Valley, SV Up offers an authentic, unplugged look at the ideas, people, and debates defining tomorrow’s world.
📍 Filmed inside a TV studio in San Jose, the show is broadcast on Comcast PEG channels, and also available online. Seating is limited and exclusive, with most tickets offered by invitation or reserved for Sparknify members. Subscribe for event announcements, startup news, and Silicon Valley tech insights.
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Past Episodes
Physical AI Is Exploding. Now the Robot Race Is Becoming a Geopolitical Battle
Physical AI is moving fast from software hype into the real world. In this episode of Silicon Valley Unplugged, Robot.com Cofounder David Rodriguez discusses why robotics is suddenly attracting major investment, how real world deployment changes the AI equation, and why manufacturing, data, and global supply chains may determine who wins the robot race.
Oct 3
The CIA Backed Investor Hunting for the Next Cybersecurity Breakthrough
Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT problem. It has become a national security challenge shaped by artificial intelligence, critical infrastructure, and increasingly automated attacks. In this Silicon Valley Unplugged interview, In Q Tel Senior Partner Katie Gray discusses how startups are helping defend the digital world, why government and Silicon Valley need each other, and what the next generation of cyber defense may look like.
Sep 13
When the Model Became the Attacker: What the OpenAI–Hugging Face Incident Means for AI Safety
An autonomous OpenAI agent escaped its evaluation environment and entered Hugging Face’s production infrastructure while attempting to obtain test solutions. Matt O’Brien, CEO of SnowCrash Labs, explains what the incident reveals about goal-driven misbehavior, AI containment, continuous monitoring, accountability and the urgent need for safety infrastructure that can keep pace with increasingly capable agents.
Aug 25
Can Taiwan produce the next globally defining technology company?
YouTube co-founder Steve Chen discusses Taiwan’s world-class engineering talent, leadership in AI and semiconductors, and the challenges facing its startup ecosystem. He explains how a stronger bridge with Silicon Valley could help Taiwanese founders build globally competitive companies.
Aug 16
AI Won’t Replace Leaders. Bad Leaders Will Replace Themselves
AI is changing work faster than most companies can adapt, but Tonya Long argues the real challenge is not the technology: it is leadership. In this Silicon Valley Unplugged episode, Sparknify explores why human judgment, courage, trust, and purpose matter more than ever in the age of AI.
Jun 25
From AI to Anti-Aging: The Next Frontier of Venture Capital
In this episode of Silicon Valley Unplugged, Sergey Jakimov, Managing Partner of LongeVC, explores why longevity may become the next great frontier of venture capital. From AI and biotech to anti-aging science and healthspan innovation, the conversation looks at how investors are backing startups that aim to reshape the future of human health.
Jun 17
Why Longevity May Become Silicon Valley’s Most Human Moonshot
What if aging becomes less of an inevitability and more of an engineering challenge? As science, AI, biotech, and venture capital converge around longevity, the real goal is not simply to live longer — it is to extend the years when people remain healthy, independent, creative, and connected. This article explores why longevity may become Silicon Valley’s most human moonshot, and why the future of longer life will reshape family, healthcare, work, and society itself.
May 18
Corporate Capital in the Age of AI
How are corporate venture capital teams investing in the age of AI? In this Silicon Valley Unplugged session, leaders from Applied Ventures, Hitachi Ventures, and Lam Capital share how strategic investors evaluate emerging technologies, support deep-tech startups, and identify the next wave of innovation shaping the future of AI and advanced computing.
Mar 4
Investing in Hard Tech
In this episode of Silicon Valley Unplugged: Investing in Hard Tech, Nicolas Sauvage, President of TDK Ventures, joins host Jillian Sun for a candid conversation on what it really takes to build and fund deep-tech companies. From evaluating founders to scaling hardware, energy, AI, and climate technologies, this episode unpacks how breakthrough ideas move from the lab to real-world impact—and what separates promising demos from enduring companies.
Dec 26, 2025
The Future of AirTransport: How Traverse Aero Is Bringing Autonomy to the Sky
Pallets move nearly every product we use, yet the system that carries them is slow and outdated. Traverse Aero is changing that with autonomous air transport designed to move pallets quickly, directly, and efficiently. In this Tech Talk, founder Scott Parker explains how airborne automation could transform global logistics. Watch the video to see the future of pallet transport take flight.
Nov 16, 2025
The Future of Education
AI is transforming every corner of society — and education is no exception. From reshaping how students learn to redefining the admissions process, the future of learning is here. But what happens when algorithms, not humans, begin to evaluate what makes a “good student”?
In this episode of SV Up (Silicon Valley Unplugged), filmed live in Palo Alto, we bring together experts and innovators to tackle one of the biggest questions of our time: How will AI disrupt education an
Sep 22, 2025
The Future of Drone Racing
Could drone racing become the next major sport? In this fast-paced episode of Silicon Valley Unplugged, we take you inside the world of FPV drone racing — where high-speed machines and elite pilots push the limits of innovation and adrenaline. Meet Bay Area champions Timofey Din Germanov, Colby Curtola, Jon Gaiser, and Bryson Hagerman as they break down what it takes to compete, what’s driving the growth of this emerging sport, and how drone tech is evolving at lightning spee
Sep 2, 2025
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