

/ideas
Intercom
/ideas podcast is all about what it really takes to become an AI-first company.Hosted by the visionary minds behind Fin, the show brings together leaders from forward-thinking companies to share how they’re reworking the way they build, operate, and think in the age of AI.These are honest, fast-moving conversations - the kind that usually happen off the record. From overhauling product and engineering processes to reshaping marketing teams, /ideas captures how companies are navigating the biggest shifts in modern work.https://fin.ai/ideas/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 22, 2025 • 59min
Pioneer 2025 Product Keynote: Fin 3 and Customer Agent
Catch up on all the big announcements from the Product Keynote at Pioneer, our in-person summit hosted in New York City on October 9. Eoghan McCabe, Founder and CEO, and Paul Adams, Chief Product Officer, share the latest in Intercom’s AI innovation – including the launch of Fin 3 and our vision for the future of Fin as a Customer Agent. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3e5PPtY_CSs?si=kqwQPGpr5twJiZH7For more keynotes & conversation visit https://pioneer.fin.aiFollow our Fin/ideas Substack - stories from the team at Intercom building Fin: https://ideas.fin.ai/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 22, 2025 • 20min
Convergence and Transformation in the Post-AI World – Pioneer 2025
Des Traynor, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Intercom, explores how AI is transforming not just products and interfaces, but entire companies. He shares his vision for how AI will act as a powerful, convergent force – collapsing boundaries between tools, teams, and functions – and what that means for the future of work and customer experience.Recorded at Pioneer 2025, a summit for AI customer service leaders.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3e5PPtY_CSs?si=kqwQPGpr5twJiZH7For more keynotes & conversation visit https://pioneer.fin.aiFollow our Fin/ideas Substack - stories from the team at Intercom building Fin: https://ideas.fin.ai/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 7, 2025 • 1h 1min
The state of AI in 2025: Reasoning, regulation, and rethinking scale
Intercom's Chief AI Officer Fergal Reid and VP of Design Emmet Connolly sit down to chart the current state of AI – why scaling pre-training hit limits, how reasoning models and reinforcement learning surged, and what the “DeepSeek moment” revealed about costs and competitiveness. They dig into massive CapEx and data centers, the shrinking gap between frontier and open-weight models, and why value is shifting up the stack from models to the AI layer and product UX. The conversation explores world models and representational convergence, where real breakthroughs may show up, evolving regulation and copyright, and practical implications for builders in a post-training-first world.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8ISy0PswHvE?si=TBooKTEXH191DfIgFollow the peoplehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/fergalreid/https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmetconnolly/https://fin.ai/ideas/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11 snips
Jun 18, 2025 • 33min
Be careful you don't build a MiniDisc
Discover how AI is revolutionizing product development, marketing, and team structures. The discussion highlights the efficiency of AI tools like Grok for data analysis while tackling the importance of accuracy through validation. Job titles in design and tech are evolving, urging adaptability to avoid obsolescence. Dive into the intricacies of hyper-specialism in marketing and the potential of a centralized AI for consistent branding. Embrace the balance between AI advancements and traditional methods for a smarter approach in product marketing.

Mar 6, 2025 • 27min
Designing for Clarity
Pranava Tandra, a Senior Product Designer at Intercom, discusses the art of redesigning information architecture to enhance user clarity amidst rapid product changes. She shares her experience navigating the complexities of user feedback, AI integration, and the need for seamless navigation. Tandra emphasizes balancing depth with simplicity and how to effectively structure features using progressive disclosure. Alongside Michelle Fitzpatrick, they delve into the potential pitfalls of design decisions and the significance of aligning team visions with user perspectives.

14 snips
Feb 13, 2025 • 47min
DeepSeek, Agents, and the Future of AI with Benedict Evans
In this engaging conversation, tech analyst Benedict Evans dives into the rapid rise of DeepSeek and what the decreasing costs of AI models mean for businesses. He discusses the debate between deterministic and probabilistic AI, urging companies to adapt in a volatile landscape. Evans also touches on the implications of running powerful AI models on personal devices, and the evolving role of AI in customer service. With a focus on navigating an unpredictable future, this talk is a must-listen for product builders and tech enthusiasts alike.

12 snips
Dec 19, 2024 • 46min
Intercom on Product: How we became an AI-first company
Explore how AI is revolutionizing software development and reshaping customer service. The conversation dives into transforming legacy practices into AI-native businesses, addressing the unpredictability of AI technologies. Discover the lessons learned from major tech companies and the necessity for adaptation in an era of rapid innovation. With insights on integrating AI into customer support, the discussion encourages a fresh perspective on leveraging AI while avoiding the pitfalls of outdated practices. Embrace the future with confidence!

9 snips
Dec 5, 2024 • 37min
Mastering SaaS metrics with Equals CEO Bobby Pinero
Bobby Pinero, Co-founder and CEO of Equals, shares his journey from finance expert to tech innovator, focused on enhancing SaaS metrics analysis. He discusses vital metrics for success and common pitfalls founders face, emphasizing the need for customized measurements. Bobby highlights the importance of storytelling in presenting data, advocating for narratives that engage and inform stakeholders. He also shares insights on achieving product-market fit and creating tools that balance user familiarity with innovation.

Nov 14, 2024 • 26min
Beyond the AI hype: Understanding technological transformation with Benedict Evans
In this discussion, renowned industry analyst Benedict Evans delves into the significant impact of AI on customer service. He examines the evolving landscape of workplace technology, highlighting how advancements from mainframes to AI shape job roles and company culture. Evans also tackles the challenges of AI accuracy in customer interactions, referencing a notable court case involving a chatbot. Ultimately, he underscores the importance of responsible AI integration to enhance efficiency while navigating unforeseen shifts in various industries.

Nov 1, 2024 • 20min
Off Script: Imagining the next era of customer service
Eoghan McCabe, CEO of Intercom, explores the upcoming revolution in customer service driven by AI. He discusses how AI technologies will dramatically enhance support interactions, improving both speed and quality. McCabe emphasizes the collaboration between humans and AI, highlighting the importance of empathy as traditional methods evolve. He predicts a future where bots converse with bots, and AI begins to outstrip human expertise, marking the start of a transformative era in customer service.


