Y Combinator Startup Podcast

Jordan Fisher, co-founder of Standard AI and now leading an AI alignment research team at Anthropic, dives into the pressing questions every AI founder should confront. He challenges the necessity of starting new ventures in the shadow of AGI, explores how AI might change enterprise dynamics and software quality, and discusses building trust amidst evolving team structures. Fisher also raises concerns about privacy in personal AI agents and advocates for binding audits to ensure accountability in the AI landscape.

Nick Joseph, Head of Pretraining at Anthropic, shares insights from his extensive background in AI model training and infrastructure engineering. He discusses the complexities of scaling frontier AI models, emphasizing the importance of pretraining and the intricate balance of compute resources. Nick highlights how infrastructure challenges often overshadow machine learning issues and the necessity of practical engineering skills. He also touches on AI alignment and the evolving landscape of data availability, offering a glimpse into the future of artificial intelligence.

Jesse Pollak, founder of Base and a leader in crypto product development, discusses the golden age of building in crypto. He unpacks the evolution to Fintech 3.0, emphasizing regulatory clarity and consumer adoption as pivotal. Pollak highlights how current conditions favor innovation, shedding light on the significance of stablecoins and their global impact. He urges builders to focus on real user needs while explaining the importance of layering technologies. His insights on the intersection of crypto and AI provide a glimpse of the future landscape.

Aaron Levie, co-founder and CEO of Box, shares insights on the transformative impact of AI on startups and business models. He discusses the shift from cloud to AI, emphasizing how automation can enhance job roles rather than replace them. Levie explores new pricing strategies for AI solutions, highlighting their potential to lower costs while boosting efficiency. He delves into the importance of meaningful design in enterprise software and reflects on navigating personal and professional fulfillment in the fast-evolving tech landscape.

Amjad Masad, co-founder and CEO of Replit, is on a mission to make programming accessible for everyone. He shares insights on the transformative power of AI in software creation, predicting that traditional software's value will plummet, reshaping industries. The conversation dives into the increasing autonomy of software tools and the competitive landscape Replit faces. Amjad highlights the significance of domain knowledge and innovative strategies needed to overcome challenges in AI-driven code generation and testing.

Bob McGrew, a pivotal force behind ChatGPT and GPT-4, shares insights from his impressive journey at PayPal, Palantir, and OpenAI. He highlights the significance of the Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) model in startup success and how it fosters a culture of learning and adaptation. McGrew explains how 'doing things that don't scale' can empower early-stage companies. He also discusses the rapid evolution of AI, the importance of aligning product capabilities with customer needs, and the unique challenges AI startups face in the enterprise landscape.

Michael Truell, the 25-year-old co-founder of Cursor, dives into the exciting world of AI coding. He shares valuable lessons learned from failed ventures and stresses the enduring importance of programming. Truell explains how Cursor is boldly challenging GitHub Copilot with its innovative approach. He also elaborates on the journey of developing Cursor, including feedback-driven improvements and rapid user growth, highlighting the transformative potential of AI in software development.

Ankit Gupta dives into the latest advancements in open-source language models, focusing on OpenAI's new model and its competition, Qwen and Deepseek. Discover the unique architectural features that differentiate these models, including their approaches to long-context training and reasoning alignment. Gupta highlights how innovative design choices yield similar performance outcomes, showcasing the evolving landscape of AI development. This insightful comparison sheds light on the future of large language models and their practical implications.

Max Junestrand, co-founder and CEO of Legora, shares his remarkable journey of building a $675M legal AI startup with no prior legal experience. He discusses the rapid scaling from 10 to 100 employees in just 13 months and how he secured $80M in funding. The conversation delves into revolutionizing legal tech using AI, transforming conservative markets, and the challenges of developing user-friendly, compliant software. Max also offers insights on navigating the legal tech space and the future role of lawyers in an AI-driven world.

Founders often struggle with B2B sales, but there are effective strategies to navigate this landscape. Insights from Tom Blomfield reveal how to manage pilot programs with a focus on financial commitments and customer success. Key tips include understanding the customer's buying process, engaging stakeholders, and creating urgency for faster decision-making. Transitioning from free trials to paid commitments can elevate customer engagement and validate the product's value, ensuring a smoother sales process.