In this episode, we sit down with the ever-innovative Chris Messina—creator of the hashtag, top product hunter on Product Hunt, and trusted advisor to startups navigating product development and market strategy.

Recording from Ciel Media’s new studio in Berkeley, we explore the evolving landscape of generative AI and the widening gap between its immense potential and real-world usability. Chris introduces a compelling framework, distinguishing AI as a *tool* versus a *medium*, which helps explain the stark divide in how different users engage with these technologies.

Our conversation examines key challenges: How do we build trust in AI? Why is transparency in computational reasoning critical? And how might community collaboration shape the next generation of AI products?

Drawing from his deep experience in social media and emerging tech, Chris offers striking parallels between early internet adoption and today’s AI revolution, suggesting that meaningful integration will require both time and a generational shift in thinking.

What makes this discussion particularly valuable is Chris’s vision for the future of AI interaction—where technology moves beyond query-response models to become a truly collaborative medium, transforming how we create, problem-solve, and communicate.

Links:

Chris: https://chrismessina.me

Ciel Media: https://cielcreativespace.com

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