Modern CTO Launching ChatGPT with Zack Kass, Former Head GTM at OpenAI
Oct 16, 2025
Zach Kass, former head of go-to-market at OpenAI, played a crucial role in launching ChatGPT, the fastest-growing product of all time. He discusses the importance of user experience in AI adoption and highlights how teenagers have driven consumer interest. Kass emphasizes responsible AI practices, including transparency about machine decision-making and the need for effective legislation against tech-enabled fraud. He also touches on societal thresholds that dictate what technology we should embrace and shares insights from his upcoming book on AI integration.
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Application Layer Drove ChatGPT Adoption
- The application layer mattered more than raw model capability for ChatGPT's rapid adoption.
- Zach Kass argues great customer experience unlocked GPT-3.5's potential into ChatGPT's mass use.
Prioritize Easy Customer Experiences
- Build products that require minimal behavioral change to drive adoption.
- Invest in go-to-market teams as much as in core technology to scale usage.
Consumerization Shifts Power To The Edge
- State-of-the-art AI reached consumers first, shifting influence from CTOs to teenagers.
- This consumerization accelerates awareness and board-level pressure to adopt AI.
