Why Models Are AI’s Next Training Dataset with Damian Borth - #772

Why Models Are AI’s Next Training Dataset with Damian Borth - #772

Author: Sam Charrington July 28, 2026 Duration: 47:00
For more than a decade, AI has advanced by training ever-larger models on ever-larger datasets. But as high-quality training data becomes harder to find and pretraining grows increasingly expensive, researchers are looking for new ways to keep foundation models improving. In this episode, Damian Borth, professor of AI and machine learning at the University of St. Gallen, argues we’ve been overlooking an important source of knowledge: the models we’ve already trained. His group’s work on weight space learning treats trained neural networks themselves as data, learning from the distilled results of millions of GPU hours of optimization rather than starting from raw data each time. We explore what it means to build foundation models of neural networks, how knowledge can be transferred across architectures and domains, why this approach could dramatically reduce the cost of developing specialized models, and whether future AI systems may be trained on collections of existing models instead of ever-growing datasets. 🗒️  Full show notes: https://twimlai.com/go/772.

Hosted by industry analyst and commentator Sam Charrington, The TWIML AI Podcast (formerly This Week in Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence) serves as a vital conduit between cutting-edge research and its real-world implications. This isn't just a series of technical lectures; it's a series of conversations that unpack how AI and machine learning are actively reshaping industries and societal structures. Each episode connects you directly with leading researchers, engineers, and innovative thinkers who are defining the frontiers of the field. The discussions go beyond abstract theory to explore the practical challenges, ethical considerations, and business transformations driven by these technologies. Whether you're a data scientist deep in the code, a tech-savvy leader strategizing implementation, or simply fascinated by the future of intelligent systems, this podcast provides the context and depth needed to stay informed. By focusing on the people behind the algorithms and the ideas powering the platforms, Sam creates a resource that is both intellectually substantive and genuinely engaging, building a thoughtful community around one of the most significant technological shifts of our time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The TWIML AI Podcast (formerly This Week in Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence)
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