Alexander Cobb, 25, studied for an MPhil in economics at the University of Cambridge while pursuing music, performing in a band, organizing gigs, and releasing eclectic dance songs that earned tens of thousands of streams. He signed with a sync label in 2021 for placement in ads, TV, and film. After attending a Sam Altman talk in November 2023, he judged AI to be a once-in-a-generation, time-sensitive opportunity and decided to pivot from music into AI startups, believing music would remain viable long-term. He grew up in rural countryside with very slow internet and spent his childhood skateboarding and playing music.
Then I saw Altman talk during my second and final year at Cambridge. That's when I realized there were maybe 10 years to get in on this whole AI startup thing, and I wanted to be on that wave. Music would be there for the next 50 years. Nearly every evening at Cambridge, I was at a talk or debate. They were one of my favourite things about student life there. Altman wasn't as famous as he is now when he gave the talk
I have had music lessons since I was about seven, and was in a band and organized gigs while studying for myMPhil in economics at Cambridge. My own songs, which I'd describe as eclectic dance music featuring singing and rap, got tens of thousands of listens and views across Spotify and YouTube. In 2021, I signed with a sync label - meaning my songs could be used in ads, TV shows, and films.
Collection
[
|
...
]