Investing in the Age of AI: Deep Tech, Risk, and Reward with Bilal Zuberi

How will AI reshape the future of deep tech, industry, and investment?

In this episode of the MIT CSAIL Alliances Podcast, host Kara Miller speaks with Bilal Zuberi, founder and managing partner of Red Glass Capital. A longtime venture capitalist, Zuberi explains why AI isn’t just changing apps and SaaS tools—it’s unlocking massive sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, energy, and defense. He shares why he sees AI as the new “cost of intelligence,” what deep tech really means, and how breakthrough innovations could create trillions of dollars in value while tackling humanity’s toughest challenges, from climate change to healthcare.

Tune in for a conversation on the future of innovation, the shifting role of academia, and why Zuberi believes we’re moving from being AI consumers to becoming AI creators.

Topics Include:

02:39 - Introduction to Bilal Zuberi

04:43 - What is Deep Tech?

06:16 - Using technology to solve important problems

10:45 - AI granting access to old dreams and new jobs

12:56 - How helpful is AI as a tool?

14:52 - How AI is changing the world

19:04 - Academia’s role in AI

26:09 - The value of venture capital