Startup Europe — The Sifted Podcast How AI is transforming startups — for better or worse
4 snips
Aug 28, 2025 Miriam Partington, a senior reporter at Sifted and author of the Startup Life newsletter, dives into the dual nature of AI's impact on startups. She discusses how AI is enabling small teams to scale while simultaneously threatening entry-level jobs. The conversation highlights the shift from specialists to adaptable generalists in hiring practices and the evolution of engineering roles. Miriam also explores the challenges startups face in maintaining brand trust amidst a flood of AI-generated content and the resurgence of hustle culture.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
AI Content Harms Founder Authenticity
- AI-generated content on platforms like LinkedIn often reads the same and damages founder brand trust.
- Audiences tune out or distrust content clearly written by AI, harming authenticity.
Fix Problems Before Picking Tools
- Map organisational problems before picking AI tools and avoid bolt-on solutions that confuse teams.
- Start with time-consuming tasks or admin work that AI can realistically replace first.
AI Willingness Is A Leadership Filter
- Founders are replacing C-suite leaders who resist deep AI transformation.
- Willingness to transform with AI has become a hiring and retention filter for senior roles.