AI Roundtable Unfiltered: The Truth About Hype, Talent Wars & Global AI

Aug 13, 2025

Guest

Georgie Healy

Guest

Join four trailblazers in AI: Michelle Gilmore, CEO of Juno, who straddles user research; Dan Palmer of Relevance AI, mastering automation; Xharmagne Carandang from Lorikeet, revolutionizing customer support; and Georgie Healy of Google’s AI accelerator. They tackle the AI VC bubble and the critical role of talent and adaptability in this fast-paced field. Expect insights on AI's potential to reshape industries, the need for a creative education framework, and the balance of innovation with ethical responsibility.

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INSIGHT

Why The AI Funding Frenzy Isn’t Just Hype

VC frenzy around AI looks bubble-like but reflects a race to define platforms and use cases.
Betting on adaptable teams and founders remains the best hedge against model uncertainty.

ADVICE

Prioritise Customer Problems Over Engineering Volume

Focus on the customer's top 20% needs instead of throwing engineers at every feature.
Prioritize efficiency and needle-moving work to avoid burn and wasted capital.

INSIGHT

When Compute Commoditizes, Quality Becomes Currency

If core AI compute commoditizes, value shifts to quality, context and product-level judgment.
Companies that can define and deliver higher subjective quality will command premium pricing.

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In today’s episode, we’re joined by five leading voices shaping the future of artificial intelligence: Dan Palmer, co-founder of Relevance AI; Michelle Gilmore, CEO and co-founder of Juno; Xharmagne Carandang, founding software engineer at Lorikeet; and Georgie Healy, head of Google’s AI accelerator and host of *In the Blink of AI*. Recorded live at the second-ever AI Roundtable Dinner, this conversation dives deep into the most urgent, surreal, and high-stakes issues in AI today. From billion-dollar bets and VC hype cycles, to AI’s impact on jobs, education, and global competition, the guests share candid insights from their own journeys building in one of the most intense moments in tech history. Listen in for a rare behind-the-scenes look at how these founders are navigating ethical dilemmas, rapid product development, market expansion, and staying grounded amid the noise.

Check out their socials:

Daniel Palmer’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-palmer/

Michelle Gilmore’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellejoygilmore/

Xharmagne Carandang’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xharmagne/

Georgie Healy’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georginahealy/

We dive into:

- The reality of the current AI VC bubble and capital efficiency in hyper-competitive markets

- Why founder expertise, adaptability, and team quality are critical moats in AI

- How AI could become as ubiquitous as electricity—and what that means for pricing, value, and innovation

- The skills and mindsets that will thrive (and those that might disappear) in an AI-first world

- The global race for AI talent and why Sydney, SF, and emerging markets each play a role

- Displacement vs. amplification: the societal impacts of automation and possible safety nets

- The hype vs. product debate—how to cut through noise and build enduring companies

- Storytelling, trust, and the future of marketing in a world where agents make buying decisions

- The advice these founders would give their future selves about building in AI over the next decade

00:00 Introduction

02:37 Round Table Dinner: AI Founders and Leaders

03:19 The Future of AI and Market Dynamics

04:53 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Startups

07:19 The Role of Talent and Capital in AI

09:54 Global Perspectives on AI Development

13:50 Notion Ad

14:36 The Impact of AI on Industries and Society

28:11 Geographical Dispersion and Talent Density

37:35 Challenging Company Culture Norms

38:14 Building Relationships in San Francisco

39:38 Talent Density and Research in Australia

41:24 AI's Impact on Skills and Employment

43:07 The Future of Education and Creativity

8:43 Job Displacement and Economic Shifts

01:03:57 Ethical Concerns and AI Governance

01:14:19 The Importance of Attention in Business

01:14:46 Investor Expectations and Startup Metrics

01:15:42 Challenges of Building a Sustainable Business

01:16:32 Focus on Customers and Incremental Growth

01:17:23 The Role of Hype and Distribution

01:21:05 The New Generation of Founders

01:26:56 The Future of AI and Human Value

01:37:49 Reflections and Advice for the Future

01:44:01 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up

Thanks to Notion for sponsoring this episode! Organise your team, projects, and ideas all in one place. Try Notion for free and get started with our special link: https://ntn.so/sachin&adam