

AI + a16z
a16z
Artificial intelligence is changing everything from art to enterprise IT, and a16z is watching all of it with a close eye. This podcast features discussions with leading AI engineers, founders, and experts, as well as our general partners, about where the technology and industry are heading.
Episodes
Mentioned books

100 snips
Aug 1, 2025 • 40min
Performance and Passion: Fal's Approach to AI Inference
Burkay Gur, Cofounder and CEO of Fal, leads a generative media cloud platform, while Batuhan Taskaya, Head of Engineering, has extensive expertise in Python and developer tools. They discuss their innovative approach to building fast and efficient AI inference platforms amidst infrastructure challenges. Key topics include recruitment stories that sparked team growth, strategies for optimizing GPU performance, and the evolving landscape of generative media, especially in video technology. Their passion for emerging AI modalities shines through as they explore future trends and opportunities.

73 snips
Jul 25, 2025 • 27min
How to Vibe Code Securely
Feross Aboukhadijeh, Founder and CEO of Socket, dives into the transformative role of AI in software engineering. He discusses the concept of 'Vibe Coding' and how it reshapes workflows while highlighting security considerations. Feross emphasizes the importance of vetting code and maintaining a safe supply chain to prevent vulnerabilities, even as AI tools boost productivity. He also explores the balance between human oversight and automated systems in enhancing cybersecurity, reminding developers of the essential practices to ensure safe coding.

139 snips
Jul 18, 2025 • 43min
AI Is Upending SaaS Pricing
In this conversation with Martin Casado, Scott Woody, CEO and co-founder of Metronome and former monetization lead at Dropbox, discusses how AI is revolutionizing SaaS pricing. They delve into the shift from user-based value to output-based models, redefining monetization. Woody shares insights on the growing demand for usage-based billing and the complexities it entails, as well as strategic advice for SaaS founders in navigating these changes. This dialogue uncovers essential dynamics for thriving in an AI-driven landscape.

177 snips
Jul 11, 2025 • 46min
The AI Infrastructure Stack with Jennifer Li
Jennifer Li, General Partner at a16z, is passionate about the transformational power of AI infrastructure. She dives into the shifting landscape where AI reshapes software stacks, creating a demand for innovative middleware. The conversation touches on the critical components for AI workloads, the evolution of B2B SaaS tools, and the importance of comprehensive systems supporting AI applications. Jennifer also discusses the intricate relationship between AI agents and APIs, illustrating how improved technology enhances user experiences across industries.

95 snips
Jun 27, 2025 • 47min
AI's Unsung Hero: Data Labeling and Expert Evals
Manu Sharma, CEO of Labelbox and an expert in data labeling for AI, joins to discuss the evolution of data labeling from supervised learning to advanced reinforcement learning. He highlights how the shift to foundation models and generative AI has transformed the industry, emphasizing the emerging role of 'aligners'—top professionals who ensure high-quality training data. Manu also touches on the competitive landscape of AI, particularly the impact of recent acquisitions like Meta's purchase of Scale AI, underscoring the growing importance of data and talent in the AGI race.

290 snips
Jun 20, 2025 • 35min
AI, Data Engineering, and the Modern Data Stack
Tristan Handy, co-founder and CEO of dbt Labs, dives into the evolving world of data engineering alongside Jennifer Li and Matt Bornstein. They discuss the pivotal role of AI in enhancing data workflows, stressing the importance of human oversight in validating outputs. Handy highlights the transformative power of automation and tools like SQL compilers in reshaping engineering tasks. They also touch on recent industry acquisitions and the future implications for data architecture, blending operational and analytical workloads.

96 snips
Jun 13, 2025 • 26min
Enabling Agents and Battling Bots on an AI-Centric Web
David Mytton, CEO of Arcjet, dives into the complexities of web access and bot detection. He discusses the growing need for advanced security measures in an AI-driven landscape, where distinguishing between beneficial bots and malicious ones is crucial. Mytton emphasizes the importance of low-latency, full-context security checks for effective fraud prevention. The conversation also highlights innovative methods for managing automated traffic and the evolving role of AI agents in the digital environment.

203 snips
Jun 6, 2025 • 36min
Giving New Life to Unstructured Data with LLMs and Agents
Anant Bhardwaj, Founder and CEO of Instabase, specializes in automating the management of unstructured data. In this engaging discussion, he delves into how large language models (LLMs) are transforming the processing of unstructured documents, enabling innovations like identity verification via WhatsApp. Bhardwaj shares insights on the limitations of traditional robotic process automation and the significance of predictability in AI solutions. He envisions a future where AI agents autonomously handle complex workflows, reshaping enterprise automation.

54 snips
May 30, 2025 • 1h 42min
Beyond Leaderboards: LMArena’s Mission to Make AI Reliable
Anastasios N. Angelopoulos, a UC Berkeley professor and AI researcher, along with LMArena cofounders Wei-Lin Chiang and Ion Stoica, delve into innovative AI evaluation methods. They discuss transitioning from static benchmarks to dynamic user feedback for better model reliability. Fresh data and community engagement are emphasized as essential for AI development. The conversation highlights personalized leaderboards, real-time testing challenges, and the importance of scaling their platform to meet diverse user needs and preferences, all while fostering an inclusive approach to AI.

395 snips
May 23, 2025 • 48min
Building AI Systems You Can Trust
Scott Clark, Cofounder and CEO of Distributional, and Matt Bornstein, a Partner at a16z, discuss the pivotal role of trust in AI systems, moving beyond just performance metrics. They delve into the hidden complexities of generative AI behaviors and the critical need for robust evaluation frameworks. Topics include the pitfalls of traditional testing methods, the rise of 'shadow AI,' and practical strategies for scaling AI from prototypes to real-world applications. Their insights shed light on managing reliability and addressing the challenges of enterprise AI adoption.