Shows
Talking AIDon’t Trust—Verify: Building a Proof of Quality for AI DataIn this episode, Matt Paige and Rowan Stone, CEO of Sapien, discuss the critical importance of data quality and provenance in AI.Stone, who has experience with on-chain products at Coinbase, introduces Sapien's innovative approach to building a decentralized data protocol that emphasizes 'don't trust, verify' principles.They explore avenues such as incentives, validation methods, and the peer review process used by Sapien to create high-quality datasets.The discussion touches on the implications of bad data, the role of synthetic data, the complexities of achieving accurate AI outputs, and the parallels between the...
2026-02-1745 min
Crypto HipsterCrypto Hipster's Curtain Calls, Episode 21: Groove Is in the Heart? How to Get Your Groove On by Using Artificial Intelligence AgentsThis is the twenty-first episode in the Crypto Hipster's Curtain Calls Series, which includes 3–4-minute clips from Seasons 6-8. This compilation draws upon my conversations with:Johanna Rose Cabildo, founder and CEO @ Data Guardians Network (D-GN) (5/9/2025, Season 8)Rowan Stone, CEO @ Sapien (5/20/2025, Season 8)Karan Sirdesai, co-founder and CEO @ Mira Network (2/27/2025, Season 8)Oleg Fomenko, co-founder @ SWEAT (5/23/2025, Season 8)
2026-01-0622 min
The AI Chopping BlockYour Data Labeling Job is Going to Zero: AI Disruption & Web3 Data RevolutionAI & Web3 are killing data labeling jobs – Sapien CEO Rowan Stone reveals how blockchain quality control and human-in-the-loop methods reshape AI data pipeline.In this hard-hitting episode titled “Your Data Labeling Job is Going to Zero,” we confront a stark reality: AI and Web3 are rapidly eliminating traditional data labeling roles and rewriting how we prepare data for intelligent systems. Guest Rowan Stone, CEO of Sapien, pulls no punches explaining why those low-value, repetitive labeling tasks are quickly becoming obsolete. The message is urgent, adapt...
2025-11-2756 min
Next LevelNext Level w/ Rowan StoneIn this episode of the Next Level Podcast, I sit down with Rowan Stone, CEO of Sapien, to explore the future of AI, data, and human knowledge. Rowan shares his personal journey from heavy engineering in Scotland to diving headfirst into crypto and Web3 — and how those risks led him to pioneer a decentralized data foundry that empowers people across 100+ countries to monetize their expertise.We talk about what it really means to hit reset on your career, the tension between risk and responsibility, and the courage it takes to leave comfort behind in pursuit of passion. Ro...
2025-09-2644 min
An Hour of Innovation with Vit LyoshinHow Human Knowledge Powers AI: Data Quality, Bias & Blockchain Payments | Rowan StoneIn this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin sits down with Rowan Stone, CEO of Sapien, to explore how human knowledge powers the next generation of artificial intelligence. Together, they dive into the importance of high-quality data, the challenge of bias in AI, the role of blockchain payments in rewarding contributors, and the future balance between human input and machine learning.Rowan shares his journey from energy executive to crypto entrepreneur, building early DeFi protocols, co-creating Coinbase’s Layer 2, and eventually launching Sapien, a decentralized data platform that connects enterprises with a global ne...
2025-08-2450 min
BlockHashEp. 549 Rowan Stone | Contribute Data to AI Development with SapienFor episode 549 of the BlockHash Podcast, host Brandon Zemp is joined by Rowan Stone, CEO of Sapien.Data is the biggest opportunity in AI. That's why Sapien has built a global community where anyone can contribute to AI development through engaging tasks. On Sapien, AI Workers are automatically matched with optimal tasks based on their skills and preferences. Learn more at https://earn.sapien.io ⏳ Timestamps: 0:00 | Introduction1:00 | Who is Rowan Stone?5:03 | What is Sapien?9:02 | How to contr...
2025-07-1933 min
Block by Block: A Show on Web3 Growth MarketingRowan Stone: How Sapien Is Paying People to Train AI (and Why Crypto Makes It Work)Episode is brought to you by Infinex. Experience Crypto designed for humans. Get your free account today: https://app.infinex.xyz/?r=B2KSQJ77-------------------------SummaryIn this episode, Rowan Stone—co-founder and CEO of Sapien—shares his path from entrepreneur to building a mission-driven company at the intersection of AI and crypto. He discusses how Sapien is tackling one of the biggest challenges in AI: sourcing high-quality, human-generated data at scale. Rowan emphasizes the importance of aligning incentives from the start, crypto marketing with Peter Abilla, building trust with...
2025-06-2457 min
Infinite Curiosity Pod with Prateek JoshiDecentralized Data Foundry for AI | Rowan Stone, CEO of SapienRowan Stone is the CEO of Sapien, a decentralized data foundry where AI models can access verified human expertise worldwide. They've raised raised a $10.5M round led by Variant. He's also the co-creator of Coinbase's layer 2 network called Base.Rowan's favorite book: Outlive (Author: Peter Attia)(00:01) Introduction(01:09) The Flaws in Centralized Data Models(04:10) Mechanism of Knowledge Transfer and Expert Incentives(07:08) Supply, Demand, and Market Dynamics for Training Data(10:22) Chain of Thought Reasoning and 3D/4D Data Use Cases(12:22) Building the MVP: What Worked and What Didn’t(15:17) Acquiring the Fi...
2025-06-0438 min
Crypto HipsterTapping Into a Global Contributor Network to Source AI Verified Insights, with Rowan Stone @ Sapien (Audio)Rowan Stone, Chief Executive Officer at Sapien, previously led Business and Operations at Base and was Director of Onchain BD at Coinbase, driving growth for products like cbETH and USDC. He joined Coinbase through the acquisition of Totle, where he was COO. Prior to Totle, Rowan co-founded Horizen Labs and Launch Code Capital, bringing over a decade of experience from energy and engineering sectors into the crypto space.
2025-05-2032 min
Crypto HipsterTapping Into a Global Contributor Network to Source AI Verified Insights, with Rowan Stone @ Sapien (Video)Rowan Stone, Chief Executive Officer at Sapien, previously led Business and Operations at Base and was Director of Onchain BD at Coinbase, driving growth for products like cbETH and USDC. He joined Coinbase through the acquisition of Totle, where he was COO. Prior to Totle, Rowan co-founded Horizen Labs and Launch Code Capital, bringing over a decade of experience from energy and engineering sectors into the crypto space.
2025-05-2032 min
AI Agents PodcastHow Sapien io is Changing Fine Tuned LLMs | EP46In this episode of the AI Agents Podcast, we explore how Sapien.io is transforming the way fine-tuned large language models (LLMs) are built. Demetri Panici interviews Rowan Stone from Sapien to uncover how the company is rethinking AI training data by decentralizing the data collection process. Rather than relying on centralized data centers, Sapien empowers contributors worldwide to provide high-quality, structured knowledge, helping eliminate biases and enhance model performance.Rowan details how Sapien’s innovative data-foundry framework and incentive structures enable scalable, high-quality in...
2025-05-0646 min
The Edge of ShowDecentralized AI Training? How Sapien is Disrupting the IndustryJoin us in this exciting episode of The Edge of Show as we dive deep into the world of AI and blockchain with Rowan Stone, CEO of Sapien. Discover how Sapien is revolutionizing AI training by creating the world's largest decentralized network of human data labelers.🔑 Key Takeaways: The innovative approach Sapien is taking to ensure they stay three chess moves ahead of AI bots.The importance of human expertise in training AI models and how Sapien is building a marketplace to connect experts with enterprises.The gamification elements and incentive structures that ensu...
2025-02-191h 01
Building Web3How to Gamify AI Training with Crypto Incentives: SapienDiscover how Sapien is leading a groundbreaking transformation in AI and Web3 by redefining the way we approach data training, gamification, and reputation systems. With a mission to unlock the next generation of decentralized technologies, Sapien is empowering experts and contributors around the world to collaboratively shape the future of artificial intelligence while leveraging crypto incentives and innovative mechanisms for engagement and trust. In this must-listen episode of the Building Web3 Podcast, host Jax Dwyer sits down with Rowan Stone, the visionary CEO of Sapien, for a deep dive into the company’s ambitious journey. Together, they explore:
2025-01-2033 min