The AI Gold Rush Has Officially Started
The Startup Ideas Podcast
Exploring the Future of AI in Design and Gaming
This chapter explores the thrilling possibilities of AI in web and mobile app development, including its role in creating gradients, components, and character sprites for games. It also discusses OpenAI's recent fundraising success and potential niche business opportunities arising from innovative AI tools like GPT-4.
Join me as I chat with Riley Brown to explore various opportunities in AI, from image generation to rebuilding essential software tools, while debating the future of content creation, customer support automation, and the concept of "vibe coding/marketing."
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
02:05 - ChatGPT 4.0 image generation capabilities
07:30 - Rebuilding calendars, inboxes and CRMs
11:02 - Component Animation Library
12:59 - The "spaghetti video" and AI video progression
19:41 - Customer support automation
22:01 - The biggest trap for founders
24:43 - Sketching is the future of AI building
26:15 - Build Consumer AI Mobile Apps
27:42 - AI Market Dynamics
29:01 - Rebuilding traditional products with AI advantages
30:51 - AI tools and AI Agents will be cheaper than humans
31:56 - Vibe Marketing is a huge opportunity
35:41 - AI will replace the homepage
36:56 - AI's impact on education and entrepreneurship
Key Points:
• ChatGPT 4.0's image generation capabilities will birth thousands of vertical software businesses
• Calendars, inboxes, and CRMs will be completely rebuilt with AI within three years
• AI-generated video has progressed dramatically and will transform content creation
• Most customer support will be fully automated within 36 months, including complex issues
• Mobile-first AI apps represent the next wave of $100M+ consumer applications
1) ChatGPT 4.0 ImageGen is as REVOLUTIONARY as the original ChatGPT launch
It will birth 1000+ vertical software businesses worth $1-100M each.
Riley: "It's incredible for generating gradients, components, character sprite sheets..."
The window to build these businesses is NOW.
2) Every calendar, inbox, and CRM will be COMPLETELY REBUILT in the next 3 years
Not just AI-enhanced — fully rethought from scratch.
We're talking about a $700B+ industry transformation.
Look at Micro HQ approach: turning email into a smart dashboard with intelligence baked in.
3) The "Will Smith eating spaghetti" video evolution shows how FAST AI video is advancing
739 days ago: Hilariously bad AI video
Today: Nearly perfect realism
In another 739 days? Full movies created with prompts, perfect dialogue, and integrated music.
The content creation landscape is about to be UNRECOGNIZABLE.
4) Most customer support will be fully automated within 36 months
Not just basic tier-one tickets — we're talking complex, multi-step resolutions that currently require senior staff.
The days of frustrating support calls may finally be ending as AI gets better at solving our problems instantly.
5) "The worst thing that can happen to your startup is mediocre success"
Enough to keep you going, but not enough to change your life.
Many founders get trapped in routines with projects they aren't passionate about.
The key? Pivot to something that excites you to wake up every day.
6) The SKETCHING economy is the real AI revolution
When anyone can turn rough sketches into production-ready designs, taste and ideation become the only scarce resources.
Greg's insight: "I've been sketching more myself... if I sketch a thumbnail and throw it into GPT-4.0, I might get twice the engagement.”
7) Consumer mobile is BACK in full swing
We went from:
• Desktop-first apps (Facebook)
• Mobile-first apps (Instagram)
• Now AI-first mobile apps (Cal AI)
The next wave of $100M+ apps will start mobile-first with AI baked in from day one.
8) AI is creating winner-take-most markets OVERNIGHT
The window to establish yourself as the go-to solution in a specific vertical?
9) AI will kill the homepage as we know it
Interfaces will be replaced by entry points that change based on who you are, what you need, and when you show up.
Just as ads became hyper-personalized, websites and apps will adapt to each visitor in real-time.
10) Schools won't be disrupted by AI — they'll be DISINTERMEDIATED
Smart teens will skip formal education to build audiences and run experiments.
Kids say they want to be creators, but creators are becoming entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurship is becoming the safest "job" in an AI-powered world.
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND RILEY ON SOCIAL
Vibe Code App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vibecode/id6742912146
X/Twitter: https://x.com/rileybrown_ai
Instagram: https://x.com/rileybrown_ai
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