The BetaKit Podcast Channel The Canadian company solving AI's latency problem
Jan 19, 2026
Rade Kovacevic, Founder and CEO of PolarGrid, is tackling AI's latency issue by enhancing edge infrastructure for real-time experiences. He compares GenAI's evolution to the early web, highlighting the growing demand for speed. Rade discusses how traditional content delivery networks fall short for dynamic AI inference and focuses on optimizing chips, models, and networks. He believes natural voice interactions will drive the need for quicker AI, positioning PolarGrid as a leader in providing low-latency solutions for developers.
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Novelty Won't Mask Latency For Long
- Generative AI feels novel today but user expectations already demand millisecond speed.
- What was acceptable in 1997 (30s loads) is unacceptable now for interactive AI.
CDNs Don't Map Directly To Inference
- Traditional CDNs solved static-content latency by caching and edge placement.
- GenAI inference is dynamic and centralized on hyperscalers, causing 3–10x higher network latency.
Tackle Latency In Three Layers
- Improve three layers: chipsets, model design, and networking to reduce end-to-end latency.
- Optimize all three in sequence to make last-mile network improvements matter.
