CEO.com | Dispatches from the frontiers of leadership Distributional Co-Founder & CEO Scott Clark
Feb 18, 2025
36:24
In this episode, Clint sits down with Scott Clark, co-founder and CEO of Distributional, to discuss his journey from founding SIGOPT to leading a new venture focused on AI confidence. Scott shares insights on optimizing AI systems, the importance of consistent and reliable behavior in AI, and the challenges of balancing creativity and control in AI models.
We delve into Scott's experience with raising capital, including his recent Series A round led by Andreessen Horowitz, and the lessons he's learned from his first startup. Scott also talks about the evolving landscape of Silicon Valley, the impact of remote work on recruiting, and the importance of building a strong company culture.
Tune in to hear Scott's thoughts on the future of AI, the shift from prototypes to production, and the critical role of confidence in deploying AI systems at scale. Whether you're an AI enthusiast, a startup founder, or just curious about the future of technology, this episode is packed with valuable insights.
Timestamps:
00:12 - Introduction and Guest Background
00:37 - Founding and Selling SIGOPT
01:29 - Challenges in AI Optimization
02:12 - Acquisition by Intel and Role at Intel
02:43 - Realization of AI Confidence Problem
03:36 - Founding Distributional
04:33 - Balancing Creativity and Reliability in AI
05:59 - Mainstreaming of AI and Future Predictions
08:24 - Interesting AI Use Cases and Industry Trends
10:13 - Fundraising Experience and Lessons Learned
12:45 - Changes in Fundraising Landscape
14:30 - Typical Day of a CEO
16:18 - Recruiting and Building a Team
19:09 - Silicon Valley and Remote Work
21:09 - Building Company Culture
23:24 - Thoughts on Paul Graham's Founder Mode Essay
25:34 - Reading Recommendations
28:09 - Essential Tools and Apps
29:20 - Economic Outlook and Planning for 2025
33:13 - Importance of Confidence in AI Production
34:09 - Acknowledging Those Who Gave a Chance
35:34 - Closing Remarks and Future Prospects
We delve into Scott's experience with raising capital, including his recent Series A round led by Andreessen Horowitz, and the lessons he's learned from his first startup. Scott also talks about the evolving landscape of Silicon Valley, the impact of remote work on recruiting, and the importance of building a strong company culture.
Tune in to hear Scott's thoughts on the future of AI, the shift from prototypes to production, and the critical role of confidence in deploying AI systems at scale. Whether you're an AI enthusiast, a startup founder, or just curious about the future of technology, this episode is packed with valuable insights.
Timestamps:
00:12 - Introduction and Guest Background
00:37 - Founding and Selling SIGOPT
01:29 - Challenges in AI Optimization
02:12 - Acquisition by Intel and Role at Intel
02:43 - Realization of AI Confidence Problem
03:36 - Founding Distributional
04:33 - Balancing Creativity and Reliability in AI
05:59 - Mainstreaming of AI and Future Predictions
08:24 - Interesting AI Use Cases and Industry Trends
10:13 - Fundraising Experience and Lessons Learned
12:45 - Changes in Fundraising Landscape
14:30 - Typical Day of a CEO
16:18 - Recruiting and Building a Team
19:09 - Silicon Valley and Remote Work
21:09 - Building Company Culture
23:24 - Thoughts on Paul Graham's Founder Mode Essay
25:34 - Reading Recommendations
28:09 - Essential Tools and Apps
29:20 - Economic Outlook and Planning for 2025
33:13 - Importance of Confidence in AI Production
34:09 - Acknowledging Those Who Gave a Chance
35:34 - Closing Remarks and Future Prospects