AI Innovator's Podcast

Welcome to another exciting episode of 'AI Innovators with Rob May.' This is the podcast where we dive deep into the transformative world of artificial intelligence and its impacts across various industries.

I'm your host, Rob May, and today, we have a fascinating episode lined up for you.

In today's episode, we're thrilled to be joined by two incredible guests, Steve Peltzman and Sam Koch. Steve is here to shed light on the limitations of traditional surveys in identifying specific issues, particularly in public restrooms, and to emphasize the unparalleled insights provided by real-time data.

Sam, on the other hand, has extensive experience in automating workflows using AI within the private equity space and will be sharing some innovative applications of AI in enhancing operational efficiency at Feedback now—a company renowned for its groundbreaking restroom feedback buttons and real-time data collection through IoT devices.

We'll explore how Feedback now's technology extends beyond restroom feedback to improve services in hospitals and other facilities.

Additionally, we'll discuss a three-tiered AI adoption strategy that businesses can use to integrate AI effectively, the importance of measuring and optimizing facilities like older airport bathrooms, and the critical role of agility and real-time feedback in smaller companies.

Whether you're an executive looking to adopt AI in your operations or simply curious about the future of AI, this episode is packed with insights, real-world examples, and actionable advice. So, without further ado, let's jump right into our conversation with Steve Peltzman and Sam Koch. Stay tuned!"

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Welcome to AI Innovators podcast with your host, Rob May.

In this episode of the AI Innovators podcast, I chat with Jason Patel, founder of Openforge.

Jason shares his intriguing journey of building an AI-powered email sales tool, highlighting the dynamic decision-making process about the right level of AI integration into their tech stack. Openforge aims to enhance the email sales experience, and Jason discusses the company's evolving strategy, navigating whether to adopt platform models and capturing market momentum.

We delve into Openforge's choice of using Claude from Anthropic as their primary Large Language Model (LLM) and compare it to other AI models, like OpenAI. Jason reveals how Claude excels in parsing natural language and providing nuanced responses in sales communications, emphasizing the arms race in AI development.

The conversation also addresses the potential future of AI in sales and customer acquisition. Jason speculates on the evolving role of AI agents, suggesting that while AI might handle much of the grunt work, the indispensable human touch in sales and customer interactions will continue to hold significant importance.

Additionally, we discuss the rapid pace of AI advancements and how this new wave influences entrepreneurial strategies. Jason reflects on his experiences as a second-time founder, contrasting his previous edtech venture with the current AI-driven landscape, and underscores the necessity for founders to remain agile and pivot swiftly in response to market changes.

Tune in to gain insights on how to navigate the ever-changing AI ecosystem, the importance of embracing market feedback, and the future trajectory of AI in transforming industries.

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I'm your host, Rob May, a seasoned entrepreneur and investor in over 100 AI startups. In this series, we dive deep into candid conversations with the trailblazers at the forefront of AI technology. From technical leaders to business executives and academics, we uncover how AI is reshaping everything from startup ecosystems to global giants like Amazon, Google, and Meta.

Join us as we discuss the impact of AI on markets, innovative products, and the evolving ways we work and live. Whether you're an investor looking for insights, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about the future, this podcast is your guide to AI's profound influence. Sponsored by HalfCourt Ventures, subscribe now to hear real-world stories from those driving the AI revolution.

Welcome to AI Innovators podcast with your host, Rob May.

In this episode of the **AI Innovators podcast**, I chat with Alex Gunnarson and Zach Hudson, co-founders of Onton (formerly known as Deft).

Onton was born out of Alex's frustration when he spent 30 hours searching for a specific couch, an experience shared by many online shoppers. The duo identified significant inefficiencies and trust issues in existing e-commerce search engines, which often resulted in shoppers spending extensive time across multiple websites to make a purchase over $50.

Alex and Zach describe their journey from basic vector search techniques to developing advanced AI integrations, including natural language processing and color data sets, to enhance search capabilities.

They introduce their self-learning system that improves search results based on user queries, utilizing the principle of compositionality. This innovative approach allows their search engine to generate outputs far beyond its training set, facilitated by a highly expressive knowledge graph database.

The conversation explores philosophical influences like Douglas Hofstadter and symbolic logic, advocating for a neuro-symbolic AI system as the next frontier.

They highlight the recent shift towards consumer AI driven by genuine pain points and the novelty of AI solutions, making such investments appealing and less risky. Onton's success in reducing search friction and enhancing personalization demonstrates the value of consumer AI.

Addressing the long-term defensibility of Onton, they emphasize their unique, clean data pipeline and search index. They also discuss the necessity of solving current AI limitations to progress toward AGI, expressing skepticism about immediate breakthroughs.

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Welcome to AI Innovators podcast with your host, Rob May.

In today's episode, we're excited to delve into the dynamic landscape of AI with Derek Larson, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of multiple AI ventures. Derek also leads the New York AI group, a thriving community for AI enthusiasts and professionals.

Together, Rob and Derek explore Derek's journey from his early entrepreneurial days, building marketing tools for small businesses, to his latest endeavors in mental health and therapist-focused AI tools. They discuss the evolution of AI acceptance, the hype around LLMs, and the practical challenges faced by AI startups today.

Derek sheds light on the unique tech ecosystem in New York, comparing it to the Bay Area, and shares his insights on the trends that excite him the most and those he believes are overhyped. They also discuss the potential and limitations of AGI, the complexities of AI applications, and the importance of selecting the right problems to solve with AI.

Finally, Derek offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the necessity of passion and resilience in the startup world. This episode is packed with insights for anyone interested in the AI industry, from seasoned professionals to newcomers. So, tune in and join us as we navigate the fascinating world of AI innovation.

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