Posted December 27, 2024

This is a 2024 highlight reel from the AI + a16z podcast, featuring founders sharing their insights, advice, and experiences on building AI companies — from foundation-model labs to vertical applications. Topics include:

  • Building AI tools for developers
  • Getting into AI as a systems expert
  • The researcher-to-founder journey
  • Founding AI companies in specific industries
  • Early lessons from selling AI agents

Timestamps:

1:24 — Approaching AI as developer tooling

5:58 — Systems founders in the AI space

8:05 — Selling AI products vs. selling traditional software

12:11 — Understanding your users

19:23 — Choosing the right models and techniques

25:05 — Building AI founding teams and company culture

28:46 — Differences between academia, research, and running a company

41:08 — Sticking with it and growing as a founder

 

More About This Podcast

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.

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