The Infra Pod

In this episode of the Infra Pod, hosts Tim (Essence VC) and Ian (CEO of Keycard) sat down with Lucas Thelosen, founder of Gravity and former head of product for data and AI at Google. Lucas shares his journey from leading teams at Google and Looker to launching Gravity, a company focused on bridging the gap between business users and data through generative AI.The conversation dives deep into the challenges of data analysis in modern organizations, the evolution of AI-powered tools like Orion, and how generative AI is transforming the way companies leverage their data. Lucas discusses the importance of semantic layers, onboarding AI agents, and the future of data teams in a world where AI can automate complex analysis and reporting.

Join host Tim Chen (Essence VC) and Ian Livingston (Keycard.sh) as they sat down with Ivan Burazin, CEO and co-founder of Daytona to explore the cutting edge of agent-native infrastructure. From the origins of Daytona to the challenges and opportunities of building for autonomous agents, this episode dives deep into the tools, use cases, and visionary thinking shaping the next generation of infrastructure. Whether you’re a developer, founder, or tech enthusiast, you’ll gain insights into the trends, pivots, and bold ideas driving the future of AI and cloud platforms.

Hunter Leath, CEO of Archil, is on a mission to redefine cloud storage, particularly for AI applications. He discusses the limitations of current storage solutions like S3 and the revolutionary potential of using SSDs and custom protocols. Hunter highlights the complexities of managing unstructured data and why trust in infrastructure is critical. The conversation also ventures into future possibilities for file storage as well as practical applications ranging from serverless Jupyter notebooks to the demands of continuous integration and delivery.

Discover how Blacksmith is revolutionizing CI/CD by transforming gaming PCs into high-performance serverless compute resources. The team dives into the challenges faced by traditional CI systems, the advantages of using GitHub Actions, and the impact of AI on code generation. Aditya shares insights on optimizing CI workflows with innovative hardware choices and the future of observability in CI. Get ready for bold predictions and spicy takes on the evolving landscape of continuous integration!

Dive into the world of AI memory and discover its revolutionary potential. Charles from Letta discusses how long-term memory can enhance productivity tools and coding assistants. The concept of 'sleep time compute' is explored, highlighting continuous AI efficiency. Future trends suggest shared memory could outperform models in importance, shaping the way software interacts with users and improves collaboration. Tune in to learn about the early stages of AI memory technology and the challenges that lie ahead in creating more effective systems.

The conversation dives deep into DBOS’s mission to enhance software reliability and durability. Insights on utilizing Postgres as a robust backbone for modern applications steal the show. The guests share innovative tools like workflow visualization and a time travel debugger that streamline system reliability. They tackle the complexities of integrating AI into traditional systems, emphasizing trust and user strategies. Future predictions suggest a shift towards serverless solutions and the expanding role of Postgres in both transaction and analytical realms.

Join Tim from Essence VC and Ian from Keycard as they sit down with Gilad Kleinman (CEO of Epsio), to explore the next generation incremental query engine they're building. Gilad shares his journey from a software developer focusing on low-level Linux kernel development to identifying fundamental gaps in data processing. They delve into the philosophical questions regarding data complexity and redundancy, discuss the theoretical advancements propelling their project, and highlight the practical issues faced by companies in achieving efficient, scalable data queries.00:35 Journey to Building Epsio03:33 Tackling Incremental Processing10:08 User Experience in Data Systems17:24 Scaling and Integration Challenges18:43 AI and the Future of Database Management32:21 Spicy Hot Take!

In this episode of the Infra Pod, hosts Tim from Essence VC and Ian from Keycard, are joined by Gil, CTO and co-founder of Merge.dev. They discuss the inception and mission of Merge, its growth, and how the company is solving complex integration problems for businesses. The conversation covers the challenges of integration, the future of APIs, and the impact of AI and MCP on the industry.00:37 The Integration Nightmare07:09 Common Data Models and Syncing Data16:09 MCP and AI-Driven Integrations42:10 Future of MCP in the Industry

Branden Wagner, Head of InfoSec at Mercury, shares his expertise on the intersection of AI and security in fintech. He emphasizes the importance of a robust security culture over mere tools, fostering collaboration between engineering and security teams. Wagner discusses AI's dual role as both an asset and a potential threat, detailing how it enhances incident response while warning against over-reliance. He also explores practical security measures for users and the future of AI in safeguarding privacy.

Ian and Tim host a conversation with Hamel Husain, an AI influencer and consultant who has worked with major tech companies like GitHub and Airbnb. They delve into Husain's journey to becoming an independent consultant, his insights on the common struggles with AI evaluation and data literacy, and his pragmatic approach to improving AI systems. The discussion also covers the importance of error analysis, measuring AI performance, and the evolving role of AI engineering in enhancing software development.00:23 Hamel's Background in AI and Machine Learning01:18 Challenges in AI and Machine Learning02:15 Importance of Data Literacy in AI04:02 Common Struggles in AI Development05:05 The Role of AI Engineers08:39 Focus on Processes Over Tools11:10 Error Analysis and Practical Examples15:52 Case Study: Improving AI Products26:05 The Role of Agents in AI