

"World of DaaS"
Word of DaaS with Auren Hoffman
deep dive into Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) businesses. World of DaaS is a podcast for data enthusiasts, by data enthusiasts, where Auren Hoffman talks to business and technology leaders about all things data - building it, acquiring it, analyzing it, and everything in between.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 23, 2025 • 52min
FreightWaves CEO Craig Fuller - why pricing data businesses trade at 30x EBIT despite 4% growth
Craig Fuller, the visionary founder and CEO of FreightWaves, dives into the fascinating world of freight and supply chain data. He discusses how FreightWaves successfully predicted the 2022 freight recession and why pricing data businesses often command high market valuations despite modest growth. Craig also shares insights on the importance of proprietary data, the challenges of embedding data in workflows, and the unique strategies FreightWaves employs, such as acquiring legacy media to drive community engagement and reduce customer acquisition costs.

13 snips
Dec 16, 2025 • 36min
Wispr Flow CEO Tanay Kothari - voice AI deep dive
Tanay Kothari, Co-founder and CEO of Wispr Flow, dives deep into voice AI technology, discussing the challenges with existing dictation tools and how his company achieved an impressive 85% success rate. He highlights the significance of context in transcription and the growing adoption of voice input in the workplace. Tanay also unveils surprising use cases, like developers dictating code, and shares insights on the pivot from hardware to software. Tune in to explore the future of voice interfaces and their impact on productivity and communication.

Dec 12, 2025 • 13min
The LM Brief: India as the Next Epicenter of AI?
This episode features an analyst who provides key insights on Microsoft's ambitious $17.5 billion investment to position India as a global AI hub. They discuss the creation of an 'AI city' focusing on infrastructure, skilling 20 million workers, and governance. Topics include the hardware and data centers needed for next-gen compute, the potential for India as the largest developer community by 2030, and the implications of digital sovereignty. The conversation also touches on how Microsoft's training initiatives may solidify Azure’s market presence.

20 snips
Dec 9, 2025 • 52min
YipitData CEO Vin Vacanti - why hedge funds dominate data usage (and corporations don't)
Vin Vacanti, co-founder and CEO of YipitData, shares insights on why hedge funds outpace corporations in data utilization. He discusses the transformative impact of AI on data processing costs and how YipitData navigates messy consumer data to deliver actionable insights. Vacanti highlights the importance of combining datasets for business intelligence and critiques the limitations of competitor-tracking. He also emphasizes the need for founders to understand data economics and the evolving landscape shaped by AI-driven efficiencies.

Dec 5, 2025 • 15min
The LM Brief: The Syntax Illusion
Discover how new MIT research reveals large language models are tricked by their own grammar, prioritizing structure over meaning. This leads to confident but misleading outputs, even ignoring safety protocols. Learn about the curious case of 'quickly sit Paris clouded' and how models can produce coherent responses from gibberish. They dive into real-world dangers like misinterpretation of clinical notes and discuss innovative defense strategies. Tune in for insights on long-term solutions and the future of language model safety.

29 snips
Dec 2, 2025 • 57min
Patrick McGee - author of Apple in China – how Apple and China built each other
Patrick McGee, a Financial Times correspondent and author of *Apple in China*, dives deep into the intertwined fates of Apple and China. He discusses how Foxconn transformed under Apple's demands, the rise of black markets for iPhones, and how Apple inadvertently boosted Chinese tech giants like Huawei. Patrick also highlights regionalizing supply chains as a strategy over decoupling and shares insights on the complexities of U.S.-China relations. His take on practical advice provides a refreshing perspective on navigating today’s challenges.

41 snips
Nov 25, 2025 • 1h 2min
Dave Morin, Offline Ventures - how venture studios work
Dave Morin, co-founder of Offline Ventures and an early Facebook employee, dives into fascinating topics. He explores why Meta excels at AI-driven ads compared to Netflix and Amazon, and discusses the risks of AI on social skills. Morin sheds light on Offline's unique fund-studio model for incubating startups and calls attention to the mental health crisis, highlighting breakthroughs like ketamine for depression. He also shares insights on parasocial relationships and their impact on loneliness. It's an enlightening dive into tech, investments, and well-being!

Nov 21, 2025 • 17min
The LM Brief: Why Many AI Projects Fail
The podcast dives into why many AI projects stumble, highlighting that the real roadblock lies in data pipelines rather than the models. It discusses findings that about 30% of projects fail due to poor data quality and unclear business value. The host explores the security risks from unchecked AI usage and sheds light on the complexities of integration that can lead to spiraling costs. Solutions like managed streaming platforms are presented as a way to centralize governance and ensure proactive security while restoring cost predictability.

36 snips
Nov 18, 2025 • 52min
Azeem Azhar of Exponential View - AI, hyperscalers, reshaping US GDP
Azeem Azhar, founder of Exponential View and author of The Exponential Age, dives deep into the intricacies of AI and the economy. He clarifies why he believes there isn't an AI bubble just yet and explores how data centers are surprisingly boosting US GDP growth. Azeem discusses the critical role of energy in AI development and the financial strategies AI firms use to thrive. He also examines funding risks and the long-term views of sovereign wealth funds on AI, shedding light on future investment strategies and the macroeconomic landscape.

Nov 14, 2025 • 13min
The LM Brief: Love Beats Hate
Auren Hoffman dives into the power of emotions, revealing that love often trumps hate in driving behavior and success. He discusses how passionate supporters outshine lukewarm followers in elections and the pitfalls of attack ads, emphasizing that genuine devotion is key. The impact of tribal loyalty on company culture and the polarizing strategies in political races are explored. The podcast culminates in urging listeners to cultivate fierce advocates rather than simply seeking approval, underscoring the depth of engagement over shallow outreach.


