AI's Productivity Impact on Startups

This week, Qiao Wang joins the show to discuss how AI is transforming what it means to be an investor in 2026. We deep dive into Claude Opus 4.5 and its breakout moment, why Qiao got into the Google trade, constructing a portfolio for 2026, where to allocate time in the age of AI and more. Enjoy!

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This Empire episode is brought to you by VanEck.

Learn more about the VanEck Onchain Economy ETF (NODE): http://vaneck.com/EmpireNODE

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"Mantle Global Hackathon 2025 is live! Running from Oct 22 to Dec 31, Mantle invites builders to design the future of Real-World Assets (RWAs) on its modular L2 stack.

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Join the Hackathon: https://www.hackquest.io/vi/hackathons/Mantle-Global-Hackathon-2025"

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Timestamps

(00:00) Intro

(02:33) Claude’s Opus 4.5 Breakout Moment

(08:40) How Does AI Impact Startups?

(13:10) Do Moats Still Exist?

(20:00) Getting Into The Google Trade

(23:38) Where To Allocate Time In 2026

(26:23) Ads (VanEck, Mantle)

(28:25) Using AI Models For Investing

(41:30) How Does AI Change Brand & Distribution?

(44:49) Qiao’s Portfolio In 2026

(55:14) Health & Longevity

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Disclaimer: Nothing said on Empire is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Santiago, Jason, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.