a16z Podcast

Join Andrew Scott, author of "The Longevity Imperative," and Vijay Pande, founding general partner of a16z Bio + Health, as they challenge the conventional views on aging. They discuss the urgent need to shift from "sick care" to proactive health management, highlighting economic implications as life expectancy rises. Explore the complexities of personalized health, the importance of dismantling ageism, and how societal perceptions of aging must evolve. Reimagine a future where longevity means more than just surviving—it's about thriving at every age.

Jordan Black, CEO of Senra Systems, Chris Power, founder of Hadrian, and Bryon Hargis, founder of Castellan, dive into America's manufacturing crisis. They discuss the decline in production capabilities and the role of outdated regulations. The conversation highlights innovative solutions like vertical integration and automation. The trio emphasizes the importance of skilled labor and cultural shifts to revitalize the sector. With examples from aerospace and defense, they illustrate how new companies are leading the charge to reclaim America's industrial edge.

Joining the discussion are Macario Namie, CMO of Skydio, who talks about the shift of drones from consumer to enterprise uses. Vijay Patnaik, Head of Product at Applied Intuition, shares insights on tools for developing autonomous vehicles. Peter Bowman-Davis, an engineering fellow, dives into maritime autonomy challenges. They explore advancements in air and land technologies, discuss the economic and geopolitical effects of autonomous systems, and highlight the importance of regulatory frameworks in the fast-evolving landscape.

Daren Matsuoka, lead data scientist at a16z crypto and author of the State of Crypto report, and Eddy Lazzarin, CTO at a16z crypto, dive into the latest trends shaping cryptocurrency in 2024. They discuss the growth of active crypto users while tackling the challenges of data integrity. With insights on stablecoins, the evolving blockchain infrastructure, and the growing impact of cryptocurrency in U.S. elections, they illustrate a thriving ecosystem. The conversation highlights innovations driven by emerging technologies like AI and the enthusiasm among builders in the crypto space.

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, shares insights on Tesla's bold innovations like the CyberCab and Optimus robot, which he believes could be the biggest product ever. Anjney Midha from Ubiquity 6 highlights the intersection of computer vision and robotics, while Erin Price-Wright discusses the importance of a robust autonomy stack. They dive into the challenges of teleoperated robotics and the transformative potential of AI across underinvested industries, emphasizing the critical role of data in driving future advancements.

In 2024, marking 10 years since its launch, Apple Pay now boasts hundreds of millions of consumers in 78 markets, at checkout on millions of websites and apps, in tens of millions of stores worldwide, and is supported by more than 11,000 bank and network partners.In this episode, a16z General Partner Alex Rampell sits down with Jennifer Bailey, VP of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, to explore how Apple has transformed digital payments. Jennifer reveals how Apple Pay and Apple Wallet have grown beyond payments to include transit cards, car keys, and more. They also discuss the challenges of driving adoption, the future of digital wallets, and Jennifer’s insights for entrepreneurs. Resources: Find Jennifer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbaileyzFind Alex on X: https://x.com/arampell Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16zFind a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zSubscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithioPlease 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.

Lisa Su, CEO of AMD, has led the company to remarkable growth and AI advancements. In this conversation, she discusses AMD's pivotal role in democratizing generative AI and the evolution of AI computing. She emphasizes the importance of open ecosystems and strategic partnerships in fostering technological breakthroughs. The discussion also covers the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on semiconductor demand and the significance of collaborations with startups and other companies to drive innovation in the industry.

Vijay Balasubramaniyan, co-founder and CEO of Pindrop, specializes in voice security and deepfake detection. In this discussion, he dives into the alarming rise of AI-generated deepfakes and their implications for truth in media. The conversation covers the rapid evolution and accessibility of deepfake technology, the challenges of detecting these manipulations, and the urgent need for regulatory frameworks. Balasubramaniyan also highlights the ethical dilemmas surrounding voice cloning and the balance needed between innovation and protection against misuse.

Anish Acharya, Olivia Moore, and Bryan Kim from A16Z dive into the exciting developments in voice technology and AI. They discuss Google’s NotebookLM, which allows users to craft customized podcasts in multiple languages. OpenAI's new speech API is also covered, making voice integration seamless for developers. The trio highlights the potential of AI in engaging storytelling and explores how it can innovate everyday user interactions. They also tackle the shift in app development and the transformation of video content creation in this tech-driven era.

Sean Rad, founder and former CEO of Tinder, shares insights into how the app transformed online dating culture. He discusses the shocking growth of online connections from 2% to over 50%. Sean emphasizes the importance of simplicity in product development and effective communication. He reveals innovative marketing strategies that leveraged college environments and social dynamics to fuel Tinder's popularity. The conversation also touches on how resilience and company culture foster creativity, highlighting the value of user feedback.