a16z Podcast

As global tensions rise, AI and autonomy are transforming how nations prepare for conflict.In this episode, Horacio Rozanski, CEO of Booz Allen Hamilton and Gary Shield, CEO of Shield AI join Erik Torenberg to discuss how technology, speed, and public–private partnerships are reshaping America’s defense strategy.They cover lessons from Ukraine and Taiwan, the rise of autonomous systems, and why the future of warfare will be defined by software, agility, and innovation. Resources:Follow Gary on X: https://x.com/garylsteeleFind Horacio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/horacio-rozanski-84a2519 Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends!Find a16z on X: https://x.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zListen to the a16z Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYXListen to the a16z Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures. Stay Updated:Find a16z on XFind a16z on LinkedInListen to the a16z Podcast on SpotifyListen to the a16z Podcast on Apple PodcastsFollow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Marc Andreessen, cofounder of a16z and a seasoned tech investor, joins Ben Horowitz, also a cofounder with a rich background in leadership and operations, to discuss AI's trajectory. They delve into the potential of LLMs for creativity and invention, arguing that human feats often rely on remixing ideas. They highlight the role of AI in creative fields like hip-hop and emphasize that leadership attributes like courage and confrontation skills are vital and hard for AI to replicate. The duo also explores the implications of AI spending and the competitive landscape between US and China in tech.

Gavin Baker, Managing Partner and CIO of Atreides Management, dives deep into the evolving landscape of AI alongside David George, General Partner at a16z. They compare today's AI investments to the 2000 telecom bubble, asserting that we're not in a bubble. The conversation explores the trillion-dollar data center buildout, the competitive dynamics among chipmakers like NVIDIA and Google, and how infrastructure investments may yield better returns than app-layer ventures. Ultimately, they discuss the future of SaaS and the implications of AI on business models.

Amin Vahdat, Google VP & GM of AI and Infrastructure, and Jeetu Patel, President and Chief Product Officer at Cisco, dive into the monumental buildout of physical infrastructure driven by AI. They explore the new AI industrial revolution, touching on the scarcity of power and resources. Key topics include the geopolitical influence on chip design, the need for hardware-software co-design, and the evolving landscape of processor specialization. They also share insights on internal AI applications and future trends for enterprises to watch.

Oliver Wang, Principal Scientist at Google DeepMind, and Nicole Brichtova, Group Product Manager, dive into the viral sensation, Nano Banana. They discuss the innovative merging of image and multimodal models, the surprising early reactions during testing, and how this technology can enhance both professional productivity and creative expression. The duo also explores the balance between user interfaces, character consistency, and the future impact of AI on artistic learning and collaboration, while addressing artist concerns and emerging applications.

Raghu Raghuram, former VMware CEO with extensive expertise in enterprise software, joins Martin Casado, co-founder of Nicira, to delve into transformative tech trends. They reflect on the fierce browser wars between Netscape and Microsoft and the strategic acquisition of Nicira that propelled VMware's growth. The conversation explores the impending infrastructure revolution driven by AI, data center robotics, and energy-aware computing, highlighting fresh opportunities for startups. Expect insights on integrating new technologies and evolving enterprise stacks.

Marc Andreessen, a prominent venture capitalist and co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, joins the conversation alongside hosts Katherine Boyle and Erik Torenberg to analyze films that unpack the American experience. They explore Tarantino's *Once Upon a Time in Hollywood* as a reflection of cultural innocence lost and trace parallels with today's internet culture wars. The trio also delves into the satirical brilliance of *Tropic Thunder*, debating its cultural impact and the evolving landscape of Hollywood comedy. They conclude by examining *Fight Club's* transformation from a critique of consumerism to a right-wing manifesto.

Amjad Masad, Founder and CEO of Replit, discusses the transformative power of AI agents in programming. He explains how these agents are revolutionizing software development by allowing users to create applications using natural language. The conversation dives into reinforcement learning's role in enhancing AI reasoning and the importance of verification loops for reliable coding. Amjad also shares insights on the future of programming, including the potential for multimodal interfaces and the quest for artificial general intelligence.

Anish Acharya, a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz with a rich background in consumer tech and startups, dives into the transformation of creativity in the age of AI. He shares how AI is sparking a consumer renaissance, blending emotion and utility in new apps. The two discuss the rise of emotional interfaces, the unique value of 'weird and working' product ideas, and the emergence of solo builders leveraging AI tools. They explore how AI democratizes creativity, making room for one-person startups and renewed focus on the human aspect of technology.

Augusto Agui Marietti, CEO of Kong, shares his inspiring journey from a garage in Milan to creating a leading API infrastructure company. He recounts early struggles, including living on $1,000 a month in San Francisco and sleeping on Travis Kalanick's couch while fundraising. The discussion highlights the evolution of Kong and the pivotal moments that shaped its success. Augusto emphasizes the significance of APIs as the 'assembly line of software' and predicts how AI will necessitate enhanced API connectivity, revolutionizing the tech landscape.