The MAD Podcast with Matt Turck

Mike Murchison, CEO of Ada and a leader in AI-powered customer service, discusses the game-changing shift from chatbots to advanced AI agents that handle customer interactions effortlessly. He reveals that these agents can automate up to 83% of customer interactions with empathy and efficiency. The conversation covers the importance of model orchestration, the ethical guidelines needed for AI, and how AI can enhance collaboration across departments. Mike also teases exciting future developments, including AI's role in product innovation and real-time multilingual support.

Amjad Masad, CEO of Replit, shares his inspiring journey from a student project to leading one of the most innovative companies in AI software development. He discusses the creation of Replit, the launch challenges he faced, and his pivotal moments working at Codecademy and Facebook. Amjad reveals how AI and coding agents are transforming software creation, democratizing access to coding skills, and fostering creativity in development. He also addresses the philosophy of techno-optimism and the current tech landscape under the Biden administration.

Justin Borgman, CEO of Starburst, leads his company in transforming data analytics with the open-source project Trino. He shares insights into the evolution from data lakes to lakehouses, emphasizing the importance of open formats like Iceberg for efficient data storage. Justin discusses how Starburst balances on-prem and cloud solutions to cater to diverse enterprise needs. He also highlights the critical role of AI in modern applications and how community engagement has fueled Trino’s success in a competitive landscape.

In this enlightening conversation, Ben Rogojan, a seasoned data engineering consultant and creator of the Seattle Data Guy brand, explores the evolving landscape of data engineering and its critical role in supporting AI technologies. He shares insights into the daily life of a data engineer, the skills essential for aspiring professionals, and the ongoing importance of SQL. The discussion also touches on trends like the rise of Iceberg, contrasting experiences in big tech versus traditional companies, and the predictions shaping the future of data workflows.

Chip Huyen, an esteemed AI engineer and author, shares his insights on AI engineering. He distinguishes AI engineering from traditional machine learning, explaining how foundational models democratize app development. Huyen dives into the crucial role of prompt engineering and the complexities of AI model evaluation. With a closer look at the generative AI stack, he dispels myths around Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and discusses the evolving nature of AI agents. This conversation is a treasure trove for anyone interested in the future of AI technology.

Florian Douetteau, co-founder and CEO of Dataiku, takes listeners on a captivating journey from his Parisian student days to leading a global AI software company. He shares insights on bridging technical and business gaps in AI, effectively selling to enterprise clients, and managing complex data processes. The conversation dives into the creation of Dataiku and its orchestration role in Generative AI, emphasizing collaboration and governance as keys to scaling AI successfully in businesses.

May Habib, co-founder and CEO of Writer, shares her insights on generative AI's transformative role in enterprise settings. She discusses the platform's innovative graph-based RAG approach and its AI Studio for custom applications. May highlights the significance of establishing guardrails for data privacy and the cost-effective development of the Palmyra X004 language model. The conversation also reveals how autonomous actions in AI can boost workflows and accelerate product development, signifying a new era for businesses.

Nathan Benaich, founder of Air Street Capital and creator of the influential 'State of AI' report, discusses the latest trends in AI. He highlights a shift from existential concerns to a monetization race in the industry. Nathan predicts the emergence of generative AI apps that could dominate app charts by 2025, and he dives into the state of foundational models. He also addresses the obstacles in humanoid robotics and the implications of global AI regulations, showcasing an evolving landscape in technology investment.

Aman Kabeer, an investor at FirstMark Capital, shares his expertise on the booming AI market. He highlights OpenAI's record funding and massive investments from tech giants like Meta and Google. The duo debates whether we're in an AI bubble and discusses surging GPU demand that may lead to a nuclear energy revival. They also explore opportunities for startups in AI hardware and software, emphasizing the transformative impact of AI on business models and consumer applications. Kabeer brings a sharp insight on the evolving landscape of AI investing.

Erik Bernhardsson, CEO of Modal and former Spotify developer, shares insights on transforming the AI infrastructure landscape. He discusses the shift from training to inference as a primary focus and highlights Modal's goal of simplifying the developer experience. Erik explains the challenges of GPU accessibility and the emergence of specialized AI cloud providers. He also envisions a future filled with AI-native consumer applications, emphasizing the importance of creating products that developers love and efficient feedback loops.