Index Ventures' Mike Volpi and host discuss the evolution of VC post-2008, Index's approach to founder relationships and company culture; challenges of open-source AI business models; evolution of self-driving car & AI industry consolidation; opportunities for startups with AI applications beyond language and interest in smaller AI models.

Venture capitalist Mike Volpi shares insights on his career journey from Cisco to Index Ventures, his investments in AI and open-source companies, and the challenges and evolution of investing in AI. He also discusses his childhood influences in engineering, passion for cars, and the importance of adaptability in the tech industry.

Mike Volpi and Danny Rimer, the co-founders of the San Francisco office of Index Ventures, talk with Recode's Kara Swisher.In this episode:Volpi and Rimer's backgrounds and the early days of the internet; applying a global perspective to venture capital; being a smaller firm when capital is abundant; why the rise of other regions does not mean Silicon Valley is "over"; open-source culture in Europe; Latin America, Israel, and China; scooters, autonomous driving, and the future of urban mobility; disrupting the beauty and fashion industries; disrupting venture capital itself; over-empowered founders and the WeWork CEO's $700 million cash-out; diversity in tech; techlash and antitrust regulation; and the most overhyped and most underhyped categories in tech.Follow usKara Swisher (@karaswisher), hostMike Volpi (@mavolpi), guestDanny Rimer (@dannyrimer), guestErica Anderson (@EricaAmerica), executive producerEric Johnson (@HeyHeyESJ), producerMore to exploreIf you haven't already, subscribe to Recode DecodeSubscribe to Recode's other podcasts: Recode Media, Pivot, and Land of the GiantsWatch Kara's 2008 interview with Volpi about his video startup, Joost Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices