Generative Now | AI Builders on Creating the Future

Michael Mignano dives into the booming opportunities of AI, discussing market expansion and the importance of defensibility for startups. He highlights the evolving roles of agent engineers and managers, reflecting on the diverse skills needed for success. The conversation also explores the transformative potential of consumer AI in sectors like education. Mignano shares insights into AI's capabilities in dispute resolution and touches on current trends in venture capital, emphasizing the exciting innovations on the horizon.

In this engaging conversation, investor Semil Shah shares insights on the dynamic landscape of VC and seed investing alongside Michael Mignano. They explore the resurgence of 'vibe coding' in gaming, linking it to iconic apps like Flappy Bird. Shah discusses the shifting tech hub hierarchies post-COVID, especially the rise of New York for fintech and health tech. They debate the evolving value of university degrees in today’s job market and consider the future of incubation programs like Y Combinator amidst increasing investor expectations.

In this engaging conversation, Scott Belsky, a leader in creativity and technology and currently heading innovation at A24, discusses the transformative impact of generative AI on marketing and content creation. He highlights the balance between personalization and privacy, emphasizing the need for authentic storytelling amidst AI-generated content. Scott also explores overlooked opportunities for small to medium businesses and the rise of AI agents that enhance decision-making while safeguarding privacy. His optimistic outlook on AI’s role in creativity adds a refreshing twist to the dialogue.

Lulu Cheng Meservey, CEO and Founder of Rostra, specializes in helping Silicon Valley founders communicate effectively. She advocates for the 'Go Direct' strategy, emphasizing that a strong communication plan is vital alongside product development. Lulu shares insights on the messaging challenges faced by tech leaders and analyzes the communications of major companies like Tesla and Meta. She also discusses the significance of a clear company mission and how targeted communication can influence key stakeholders, shedding light on the evolving role of founders in the tech narrative.

Johnny Ho, the Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Perplexity AI, shares insights from his competitive programming background and experience at Quora. He discusses the shift to product strategy, emphasizing user intent in search technology. The conversation covers Perplexity's Publisher Program which allows content creators to earn from ads, challenges against giants like Google, and the future direction of online search models. Ho also highlights strategies for team innovation and the balance between growth goals and user engagement.

Dan Shipper, Co-founder and CEO of Every, has a knack for blending media and technology. He discusses the concept of 'vibe coding,' where intuitive tools reshape software creation. Delving into his journey with viral software like Cora, he emphasizes how AI is revolutionizing media formats. Shipper explores knowledge orchestration to boost AI performance and the future of voice interfaces in productivity. His insights on evolving AI applications highlight the potential for startups within an increasingly complex world.

Josh Mohrer, founder and CEO of Wave, shares insights from his transition from leading Uber in New York City to launching an AI-powered meeting transcription app. He discusses the power of AI in empowering solo entrepreneurs and how it helped him learn coding. Josh emphasizes the importance of user feedback in app development and the challenges of balancing human touch with AI in customer support. He also explores the evolving role of AI in coding and the future landscape for solo ventures in the tech industry.

Mikey Shulman, Co-founder and CEO of Suno, shares insights on AI-powered music creation tools. He discusses Suno's rapid growth and the launch of their mobile app. The conversation tackles AI's potential in producing realistic music and copyright challenges. Shulman envisions a future of collaboration between humans and AI while emphasizing the importance of user engagement. They explore the transformative role of blockchain in royalty distribution and the subjective nature of music appreciation, predicting deeper integration of music in daily life.

Arvind Jain, Founder and CEO of Glean, the AI-driven enterprise search company, dives into the complexities of enterprise search and how AI can revolutionize it. He discusses the pivotal role of transformer-based models and their integration with cloud systems. The conversation touches on competition as a catalyst for innovation and the challenges and cultural shifts needed for AI integration. Jain also reflects on his journey from Rubrik to Glean, sharing insights on leadership and the exciting potential of future AI technologies.

Mike Krieger, co-founder of Instagram and now Chief Product Officer at Anthropic, shares insights on navigating AI product strategies. He discusses the parallels between the social media revolution and the current AI boom, emphasizing the importance of user experience. Krieger dives into the challenges of scaling teams, the role of AI in enhancing productivity, and the necessity for adaptability in fast-paced environments. He envisions a future where AI enables creativity and addresses complex societal needs, shaping the evolving tech landscape.