Chris Messina

Chris Messina, co-host of the Techmeme Ride Home podcast, shares his insights into the evolution of AI and its implications for software development. He voices his concerns about Silicon Valley's future if M&A activity stagnates and discusses his transition to venture capital. The conversation touches on the complex relationship between tech giants and government regulation, the necessity for innovation in customer experience, and the transformative power of technology. Messina reflects on the journey so far and expresses gratitude to the audience.

In a captivating dialogue, Chris Messina—creator of the hashtag and a leading product expert—shares insights on generative AI’s potential and pitfalls. He introduces a thought-provoking framework that distinguishes AI as a tool versus a medium. The conversation highlights trust and transparency as essential for AI adoption, while advocating for community collaboration to enhance product development. Chris draws parallels between the internet's early days and today's AI landscape, envisioning a future where AI becomes a partner in creativity and problem-solving.

Benedict Evans, a16z partner and mobile expert, joins Connie Chan, who covers China and messaging, and Chris Messina, developer advocate known for creating the hashtag, to dive deep into the world of bots. They discuss the evolution from web to apps to messaging and analyze the implications of WeChat's model on engagement and commerce. The conversation highlights the challenges of using bots for customer interactions, onboarding, and the growing need for seamless user experiences. As technology advances, they ponder the future integration of online and offline through bots.