CTGT Clinches Best Presentation Style Award at VB Transform 2025

San Francisco-based startup CTGT has made headlines by winning the Best Presentation Style award at the prestigious VB Transform 2025 conference. Founded by the ambitious 23-year-old Cyril Gorlla, the company is dedicated to enhancing the trustworthiness of artificial intelligence through innovative feature-level model customization.

During the event, Gorlla presented how CTGT's technology addresses significant trust barriers faced by enterprises when deploying AI solutions. Unlike traditional methods such as fine-tuning or prompt engineering, CTGT's unique approach allows companies to modify model features directly, fostering a more reliable AI experience.

Addressing the AI Doom Loop

In his presentation, Gorlla highlighted the pressing concerns surrounding AI integration in businesses, referencing findings from Deloitte which indicate that 54% of organizations view AI as their highest technology risk. Additionally, a report by McKinsey revealed that 44% of companies have encountered adverse effects from AI implementation. Gorlla remarked, “A large part of this conference has been about the AI doom loop. Unfortunately, a lot of these [AI investments] don’t pan out. J&J just canceled hundreds of AI pilots because they didn’t really deliver ROI due to no fundamental trust in these systems.”

Innovative Foundations

CTGT's groundbreaking approach stems from research conducted by Gorlla during his tenure at the University of California, San Diego, where he held an endowed chair. His work has significantly contributed to the understanding of AI customization techniques, which he discussed in a paper presented at the International Conference on Learning Representation in 2023.

As enterprises continue to grapple with the complexities of AI, CTGT's recognition at VB Transform 2025 underscores the critical need for solutions that prioritize trust and efficacy in AI applications.

Rocket Commentary

CTGT's innovative approach to AI model customization is a refreshing development in a landscape often overshadowed by skepticism and caution. Cyril Gorlla's focus on enhancing trustworthiness through feature-level modifications is not just a technical advancement; it's a critical step towards making AI more accessible and reliable for businesses. By empowering enterprises to tailor AI capabilities directly, CTGT is addressing the "AI Doom Loop" that many organizations face when integrating these technologies. This shift could democratize AI further, allowing smaller companies to leverage sophisticated tools without needing extensive resources for traditional methods like prompt engineering. As we embrace this new era, the implications are profound: businesses can expect to see increased confidence in AI deployments, leading to more innovative applications and, ultimately, transformative outcomes. The industry should rally around such advancements, promoting ethical AI practices that build trust and drive sustainable growth.