Logo

    The 1000x Developer

    enFebruary 16, 2023
    What was the main topic of the podcast episode?
    Summarise the key points discussed in the episode?
    Were there any notable quotes or insights from the speakers?
    Which popular books were mentioned in this episode?
    Were there any points particularly controversial or thought-provoking discussed in the episode?
    Were any current events or trending topics addressed in the episode?

    Podcast Summary

    • Revolutionizing Software Creation with ReplitReplit simplifies coding, offers AI-powered features, and aims to make software creation accessible to everyone, potentially leveling the playing field globally.

      Replit, founded by Amjad Masad, is a revolutionary integrated development environment that aims to bridge the gap between having an idea for software and bringing it to life. Replit simplifies the development process, keeping the power while making it more enjoyable and learnable for all. It also superpowers the platform with AI, offering courses for beginners and a community where you can hire developers to bring your projects to life. The ultimate goal is to make software creation accessible to everyone. A fascinating insight from Amjad is that people can now learn to code in much less time than before. With advancements in tooling and technology, the 300 hours it took the speaker to learn to code in 2018 might now be a thing of the past. Replit's AI-powered features, such as Ghostwriter and Bounties, are game-changers, making coding more accessible and efficient. Amjad's vision for Replit is inspiring, especially considering that less than 1% of the world knows how to code. By making software creation easier and more accessible, Replit has the potential to level the playing field and unlock opportunities for people worldwide. The future of software development is here, and it's more exciting than ever.

    • Replit: A Platform for Learning, Creating, and Making Money through CodingReplit is a coding platform where individuals can learn, create, and even make substantial income through coding. Success stories include self-taught developers being hired by FAANG companies, prolific programmers building over 50 projects, and even individuals making thousands a week as bounty hunters.

      Replit, a coding platform, has proven to be a powerful tool for individuals to learn, create, and even make significant income through coding. The platform has seen impressive stories of self-taught developers being hired by FAANG companies, prolific programmers building over 50 projects, and even individuals making substantial earnings from their apps. Replit has been instrumental in providing a platform for learning and development, regardless of age or background. For instance, a 13-year-old kid set up a crypto mining operation, and a 16-year-old developer named Rayhan is one of the most prolific programmers on the platform. Additionally, there are examples of bounty hunters making thousands of dollars a week, and startups building their entire stack on Replit. The platform, founded in 2016, has seen impressive growth, and it's not unreasonable to expect that someone could make a million dollars through the platform. Furthermore, age is not a barrier, as there are examples of individuals over 90 using the platform. Replit's impact on the coding community is undeniable, and it continues to provide opportunities for individuals to learn, create, and succeed in the tech industry.

    • Discovering Young Coders and Building Community on ReplitReplit inspires young coders, offers a fun learning experience, and fosters community, making coding accessible and enjoyable for all ages.

      Replit, a coding platform, has become an integral part of people's lives, from education and innovation to personal connections and even romance. A 6-year-old boy made headlines as the world's youngest Microsoft Azure AI certified programmer, discovered on Replit, showcasing the platform's potential to inspire and educate at a young age. However, it's not just about extraordinary stories; Replit also helps people learn coding in a fun and engaging way, making it an appealing alternative to traditional, less enjoyable methods. The platform's design focuses on minimizing routine tasks and allowing users to focus on the creative aspects of coding. Additionally, Replit has brought people together, with users meeting and even marrying through the platform. Overall, Replit is a powerful tool that fosters creativity, learning, and community, making coding an enjoyable and rewarding experience for users of all ages.

    • Making coding more enjoyable with ReplitReplit removes setup tasks, adds collaboration, and gamification to make coding more enjoyable and efficient, while Ghostwriter acts as a pair programmer to help developers write code and improve their learning curve.

      Repla, a coding platform, aims to make programming more enjoyable by removing the need for time-consuming setup and administration tasks, adding a collaborative aspect, and incorporating gamified elements. This allows developers to focus more on the coding itself, which can be compared to the blissful moments on the field during a soccer game rather than the frustrating setup process. Additionally, Ghostwriter, a new AI feature on Replit, acts as a pair programmer, helping developers write code, generate entire programs, and even offering suggestions to improve the learning curve and make the process less binary and more humanized. This not only makes coding more efficient but also more enjoyable, allowing developers to focus on the creative aspects of their work.

    • The future of coding: cloud-based AI modelsCloud-based AI models may replace traditional IDEs, offering real-time suggestions and improvements for a more efficient coding experience

      The future of coding may lie in cloud-based AI models that can suggest and implement features and tools without the need for large, resource-intensive IDEs. This is an exciting development for startups looking to adapt to new platform shifts, as older IDEs may struggle to keep up. Replit, as a company, made the strategic decision to build their own AI model, Ghostwriter, to ensure optimal user experience and maintain control over their technology. This decision was based on the belief that AI is a primary platform shift, the need for low latency and optimized UX, and the potential for a data advantage that will compound over time. The interface of Ghostwriter is designed to operate in both pull and push modalities, allowing users to either ask for specific suggestions or receive continuous improvements. While the pull model is less expensive, the push model requires low latency and more computational power. Overall, the future of coding may involve a shift towards cloud-based AI models that can adapt and suggest in real-time, offering a more efficient and effective coding experience.

    • The future of software development with AI: A double-edged swordAI in coding tools could lead to new developers and better learning experiences, but also raise concerns about low-quality developers and a bimodal distribution in the developer market.

      The future of software development, with the integration of AI, is expected to make coding more accessible and discover new talent, but also raise concerns about the quality of developers. The use of AI in coding tools like Copilot and Ghostwriter is seen as a double-edged sword. On one hand, it could lead to an influx of new developers and better learning experiences. On the other hand, it could potentially create a wave of low-quality developers who heavily rely on AI. The future developer market is predicted to have a bimodal distribution, with the disappearance of the middle-end developers due to more expressive platforms and the front-end developers becoming more powerful, able to build full-stack products and use AI throughout the coding process. The impact of AI on software development is still in its early stages, and it remains to be seen how this ecosystem will evolve.

    • Elite Engineers' Influence Amplified by AI and AutomationElite engineers' productivity and impact will increase with AI and automation, while their demand for high salaries rises. The concept of '10x engineers' is real, and coding becomes more accessible, making it a valuable skill to learn.

      The role and impact of elite engineers in software development is set to become even more significant with the advancement of AI and automation. These engineers, often referred to as "10x developers," will have the ability to delegate tasks to AI developers, increasing their own productivity and impact. This means that while the number of elite engineers required in a company might decrease, their influence and demand for high salaries will increase. Furthermore, the concept of a "10x engineer" is not a myth, but a reality brought about by the leverage software provides. The rise of AI and automation also makes coding more accessible and impactful for those with minimal coding abilities, making it a valuable skill to learn. Additionally, the tools and resources available today enable individuals to reach proficiency in coding faster than before.

    • AI revolutionizing coding and learning to codeAI speeds up development, introduces novel solutions, and fundamentally changes what we can do with code, as demonstrated by the creation of an AI-powered news site and advancements in chess and 3D modeling.

      AI is revolutionizing the way we code and learn to code, making it possible to build complex projects in a fraction of the time it once took. For instance, a developer built an entire AI-powered news site imitating the New York Times in just 26 hours, which is remarkable considering the traditional learning timeline. This not only speeds up development but also opens up new possibilities. For example, when computers surpassed human abilities in chess, it led to a reevaluation of the game's strategies. Similarly, AI has enabled the creation of 3D models for flight simulators, which was previously unachievable. The potential for AI to introduce novel solutions and fundamentally change what we can do with code is immense, and it's an exciting time for developers to explore this technology. The Lee Sedol game in Go is a testament to this, as the AI made a move that seemed disadvantageous in the short term but had significant long-term benefits, demonstrating the potential for AI to bring about unforeseen innovations. Overall, AI is a game-changer in the world of coding, offering the potential for increased efficiency and groundbreaking possibilities.

    • Advancements in language models and NLP for software developmentLanguage models and NLP are revolutionizing software development by making it faster, more accessible, and potentially mobile. Action Transformers train models on actions instead of text, enabling the creation of APIs for any application. Chat interfaces and improving mobile capabilities suggest coding on phones will become common.

      The advancements in language models and natural language processing are leading to new possibilities in software development, making it faster, more accessible, and potentially even mobile. This shift could significantly reduce the need for extensive engineering knowledge and resources, allowing individuals and teams to focus on more complex tasks. One intriguing development is the concept of Action Transformers, which train transformer models on actions instead of text. These models can encode knowledge about using specific applications, such as booking an Airbnb, opening up a new programmable platform where anything could potentially have its own API. Additionally, the increasing popularity of chat interfaces and the improving capabilities of mobile devices suggest that coding on phones will become more common, enabling users to generate software through chat and review AI-created work on the go. Overall, these advancements represent a fundamental phase shift in software development, making it more accessible and efficient than ever before.

    • Revolutionizing Software Development with ReplitReplit's AI and cloud technology enable coding on phones and tablets, a new bounties marketplace reduces transaction costs, and anyone can post and complete projects efficiently without contracts.

      Replit is revolutionizing software development with its innovative use of AI and cloud technology, making it possible to write code on phones and tablets, and introducing a new marketplace concept called bounties. Replit aims to make software development more accessible and flexible, allowing anyone to post a project and have it completed by high-quality developers within the community in a matter of minutes. Unlike traditional marketplaces, Replit doesn't vet developers or clients, and there are no binding contracts. Instead, the platform's integrated nature and use of AI enable quick and efficient software creation. The bounties marketplace is designed to bring down the high transaction costs associated with traditional software development, creating a fluid labor market where anyone can enter and exit as they please. This approach is inspired by the success of platforms like Uber, which have shown that reducing transaction costs can lead to significant marketplace benefits.

    • Replen's complete development environment sets it apartReplen integrates OpenAI APIs, cloud runtimes, databases, and AI tools for efficient, standardized development and collaboration, with the added benefit of market dynamics like staking and bounties.

      Replen's platform differentiates itself from traditional marketplaces by offering a complete development environment built into the system. This fundamental innovation streamlines the development process, making it more efficient by integrating all necessary services, including OpenAI APIs, cloud runtimes, and databases. The standardization and readability of the code also set Replen apart, enabling better collaboration and iteration. The integration of AI tools and market dynamics, such as staking and bounties, further enhances the platform's potential to create a fluid market of AIs and humans, where ideas can be turned into working products quickly and effectively. Additionally, the ability for developers to bet on themselves by putting up a stake adds a layer of evidence to their skills and confidence, making it a more reliable and effective solution for businesses looking to hire developers and build projects.

    • The Advancement of Ghostwriting Technology and Its Societal ImplicationsGhostwriting technology offers potential for increased equality and gains, but requires competition, open-source, neutrality, and safety measures to prevent inequality and political issues.

      As Ghostwriter technology advances, it has the potential to bring about significant societal changes, including increased equality of opportunity and exponential gains for some individuals. However, this progress may also lead to increased inequality and political issues. To ensure that this technology benefits everyone, competition, open-source, and neutrality are crucial. Additionally, deploying the technology safely is essential, and governance should play a role in striking a balance between safety and individual freedom. The ultimate goal is to maintain a neutral tool that users can decide how to apply. The ongoing debate around safetyism and the potential encroachment of individual freedoms by well-intentioned authorities should be carefully considered in this context.

    • Balancing Perspective on AI RisksMaintain a balanced perspective on AI risks, recognize historical skepticism, encourage open debate, and question those who predict catastrophe without concrete examples.

      While the rapid advancement of technology, particularly AI, can understandably invite skepticism and concerns about potential risks and negative consequences, it's important to approach these issues with a balanced perspective. The history of government actions under the guise of safety should make us skeptical, but at the same time, the speed of technology adoption and deployment into the hands of consumers has yet to result in catastrophic events. Therefore, it's crucial to have a thoughtful, open, and vicious debate about the implications and potential risks of AI while recognizing that democracy and a slow regulatory process may ultimately lead to the right decisions. Additionally, it's essential to question those who paint a future picture of catastrophe and ask for concrete examples of what they're worried about. Overall, it's an exciting time to be a builder in the technology space, and we should remain optimistic while also being vigilant about the potential risks.

    Recent Episodes from a16z Podcast

    Governing democracy, the internet, and boardrooms

    Governing democracy, the internet, and boardrooms

    with @NoahRFeldman, @ahall_research, @rhhackett

    Welcome to web3 with a16z. I'm Robert Hackett and today we have a special episode about governance in many forms — from nation states to corporate boards to internet services and beyond.

    Our special guests are Noah Feldman, constitutional law scholar at Harvard who also architected the Meta oversight board (among many other things); he is also the author of several books. And our other special guest is Andy Hall, professor of political science at Stanford who is an advisor of a16z crypto research — and who also co-authored several papers and posts about web3 as a laboratory for designing and testing new political systems, including new work we'll link to in the shownotes.

    Our hallway style conversation covers technologies and approaches to governance, from constitutions to crypto/ blockchains and DAOs. As such we also discuss content moderation and community standards; best practices for citizens assemblies; courts vs. legislatures; and much more where governance comes up. 

    Throughout, we reference the history and evolution of democracy — from Ancient Greece to the present day — as well as examples of governance from big companies like Meta, to startups like Anthropic.

    Resources for references in this episode:

    A selection of recent posts and papers by Andrew Hall:

    As a reminder: none of the following should be taken as tax, business, legal, or investment advice. See a16zcrypto.com/disclosures for more important information, including a link to a list of our investments.

    It’s Time to Build in Healthcare

    It’s Time to Build in Healthcare

    Half of prescribed medications are never taken, and 88% of Americans are metabolically unhealthy. Despite spending 20% of our GDP on healthcare—twice that of any other developed nation—our outcomes still lag behind.

    In this episode, we explore why technologists must step into the healthcare ring. Solving medicine isn’t enough; we need to make healthcare a consumer-focused industry. a16z’s Vijay Pandey and Daisy Wolf discuss the rise of tech founders in healthcare, the potential of AI to transform patient care, and how this shift could lead to the next trillion-dollar company.

    Can tech truly disrupt this complex, regulated industry?

     

    Resources: 

    Read the article ‘It’s Time to Build in Healthcare’: https://a16z.com/hey-tech-its-time-to-build-in-healthcare/

    Find Vijay on Twitter: https://x.com/vijaypande

    Find Daisy on Twitter: https://x.com/daisydwolf

     

    Stay Updated: 

    Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

    Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

    Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

    Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio

    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.

    Latin America: A Tech Powerhouse?

    Latin America: A Tech Powerhouse?

    Latin America is emerging as a tech powerhouse, but it's not a one-size-fits-all market. 

    In this episode, we explore why what works in Argentina won’t necessarily fly in Brazil or Mexico, and how companies are adapting to these unique regional dynamics. Join Dileep Thazhmon, Cofounder and CEO of Jeeves; Santiago Suarez, Cofounder and CEO of Addi; Gabriel Vasquez, a16z investment partner; and Angela Strange, a16z General Partner, as they discuss the future of fintech in LatAm and the unique approach required to succeed in this diverse market.

    ​​Whether you're interested in the nuances of product development, the complexities of scaling across diverse markets, or the future of fintech in Latin America, this episode offers perspectives from industry leaders deeply invested in the region's tech ecosystem who believe the next big tech giants might just come from Latin America.

    Resources: 

    Find Dileep on Twitter: https://x.com/thazhmon

    Find Santiago on Twitter: https://x.com/santiasua

    Find Gabriel on Twitter: https://x.com/gevs94

    Find Angela on Twitter: https://x.com/astrange

    Stay Updated: 

    Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

    Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

    Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

    Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio

    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.

    a16z Podcast
    enAugust 24, 2024

    The SSN Breach: What Now?

    The SSN Breach: What Now?

    In this episode, we cover the recent data breach of nearly 3B records, including a significant number of social security numbers. Joining us to discuss are security experts Joel de la Garza and Naftali Harris. Incredibly enough, Naftali and his team were able to get their hands on the breached dataset and were able to validate the nature of the claims. Listen in as we explore the who, what, when, where, why… but also how a breach of this magnitude happens and what we can do about it.

    Resources:

    Stay Updated: 

    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.

    Building Innovation Hubs: The UK & Beyond

    Building Innovation Hubs: The UK & Beyond

    This episode from Web3 with a16z Crypto, is all about innovation on a global scale, exploring both ecosystem and individual talent levels. We examine what works and what doesn’t, how certain regions evolve into startup hubs and economic powerhouses, and what constitutes entrepreneurial talent. We also discuss the nature of ambition, the journey to finding one’s path, and broader mindsets for navigating risk, reward, and dynamism across various regions, with a particular focus on London and Europe.

    Joining us is Matt Clifford, who played a pivotal role in the London entrepreneurial and tech ecosystem since 2011, is the Chair of Entrepreneur First and the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA). Before this episode was recorded, Matt served as the Prime Minister’s representative for the AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park. Recently, he was appointed by the UK Secretary of Science to deliver an “AI Opportunities Action Plan” to the UK government.

    This episode was recorded live from Andreessen Horowitz’s first international office in London. For more on our efforts and additional content, visit a16zcrypto.com/uk.

     

    Resources:

    Find Matthew on Twitter: https://x.com/matthewclifford

    Find Sonal on Twitter: https://x.com/smc90

     

    Stay Updated: 

    Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

    Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

    Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

    Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio

    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.

    The Olympics of Talent: France's Tech Boom

    The Olympics of Talent: France's Tech Boom

    Once criticized for lacking ambition, French founders are now aiming to create the world’s largest companies. With a thriving ecosystem attracting talent from across Europe and the US, France is becoming a major player on the global stage.

    In this episode, we cover the unique advantages of building startups in France. Roxanne Varza, Director of Station F; Antoine Martin, co-founder of Amo and Zenly; and Brian Kim, a16z consumer partner, discuss the key factors driving this transformation, including infrastructure, community, and government support.

    Discover how international talent, a supportive community, and robust governmental backing are propelling France’s startup scene. This episode is filled with insights into why France is now an exciting place to build a startup.

    Resources:

    Find Roxanne on Twitter: https://x.com/roxannevarza

    Find Antoine on Twitter: https://x.com/an21m

    Find Bryan on Twitter: https://x.com/kirbyman01

    Learn more about Station F: https://stationf.co/

    Learn more about Amo: https://get.amo.co/en

    Stay Updated: 

    Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

    Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

    Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

    Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio

    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.

    Building the World's Most Trusted Driver

    Building the World's Most Trusted Driver

    Waymo's autonomous vehicles have driven over 20 million miles on public roads and billions more in simulation.

    In this episode, a16z General Partner David George sits down with Dimitri Dolgov, CTO at Waymo, to discuss the development of self-driving technology. Dimitri provides technical insights into the evolution of hardware and software, the impact of generative AI, and the safety standards that guide Waymo's innovations.

    This footage is from AI Revolution, an event that a16z recently hosted in San Francisco. Watch the full event here:  a16z.com/dmitri-dolgov-waymo-ai

     

    Resources: 

    Find Dmitri on Twitter: https://x.com/dmitri_dolgov

    Find David George on Twitter: https://x.com/DavidGeorge83

    Learn more about Waymo: https://waymo.com/

     

    Stay Updated: 

    Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

    Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

    Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

    Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio

    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.

    From AI to Instant Replay: The Technology Behind the Olympics

    From AI to Instant Replay: The Technology Behind the Olympics

    The Olympics features over 11,000 athletes competing in 32 sports, attracting an audience of more than 10 million.

    In this episode, Charlie Ebersol, co-founder of the Alliance of American Football and Infinite Athlete, explores how new innovations like AI and bespoke broadcasting technologies are shaping the future of sports.

    Charlie also reflects on the storytelling legacy of his father, Dick Ebersol, a legendary sports producer who transformed how we experience the Olympics. We discuss the importance of making sports more accessible and engaging through technology that enhances, rather than distracts from, the human stories at the heart of the games.

    Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a sports fan, this episode offers a unique look at the convergence of these two worlds.

    Resources: 

    Find Charlie on Twitter: https://x.com/CharlieEbersol

    Learn more more about Infinite Athlete: https://infiniteathlete.ai/

    Stay Updated: 

    Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

    Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

    Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

    Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio

    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.

    When AI Meets Art

    When AI Meets Art

    On June 27th, the a16z team headed to New York City for the first-ever AI Artist Retreat at their office. This event brought together the builders behind some of the most popular AI creative tools, along with 16 artists, filmmakers, and designers who are exploring the capabilities of AI in their work.

    In this episode, we hear from the innovators pushing the boundaries of AI creativity. Joined by Anish Acharya, General Partner, and Justine Moore, Partner on the Consumer team, we feature insights from:

    • Ammaar Reshi - Head of Design, ElevenLabs
    • Justin Maier - Cofounder & CEO, Civitai
    • Maxfield Hulker - Cofounder & COO, Civitai
    • Diego Rodriguez - Cofounder & CTO, Krea
    • Victor Perez - Cofounder & CEO, Krea
    • Mohammad Norouzi - Cofounder & CEO, Ideogram
    • Hang Chu - Cofounder & CEO, Viggle
    • Conor Durkan - Cofounder, Udio

    These leaders highlight the surprising commonalities between founders and artists, and the interdisciplinary nature of their work. The episode covers the origin stories behind these innovative tools, their viral moments, and their future visions. You'll also hear about the exciting potential for AI in various creative modalities, including image, video, music, 3D, and speech.

    Keep an eye out for more in our series highlighting the founders building groundbreaking foundation models and AI applications for video, audio, photography, animation, and more.

    Learn more and see videos on artists leveraging AI at: 

    a16z.com/aiart

     

    Find Ammaar on Twitter: https://x.com/ammaar

    Learn more about ElevenLabs: https://elevenlabs.io

    Find Justin on Twitter: https://x.com/justmaier

    Find Max on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxfield-hulker-5222aa230/
    Learn more about Civitai: https://civitai.com

    Find Diego on Twitter: https://x.com/asciidiego?lang=en

    Find Victor on Twitter: https://x.com/viccpoes

    Learn more about Krea: https://www.krea.ai/home

    Find Mohammed on Twitter: https://x.com/mo_norouzi

    Learn more about Ideogram: https://ideogram.ai/t/explore

    Find Conor on Twitter: https://x.com/conormdurkan

    Learn more about Udio: https://www.udio.com/home

    Find Hang on Twitter: https://x.com/chuhang1122

    Learn more about Viggle: https://viggle.ai/

     

    Stay Updated: 

    Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

    Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

    Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

    Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio

    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.

     

     

    Founders Playbook: Lessons from Riot, Discord, & More

    Founders Playbook: Lessons from Riot, Discord, & More

    Gaming is not just entertainment—it's a revolution reshaping our culture, technology, and economy. 

    a16z’s Jonathan Lai and Andrew Chen dive into the current gaming renaissance and its future impact. Joining them are Michael Chow, CEO and Steven Snow, CPO of The Believer Company, and Eros Resmini, Founder and Managing Partner of The Mini Fund.

    They explore the intersection of tech, art, psychology, and design in gaming, discussing how startups can navigate intense competition, distribution challenges, and high production costs. With insights from these industry leaders, this episode covers the transformative potential of AI, the importance of player feedback, and strategies to stand out in a crowded market.

    Recorded during Speedrun, a16z’s extensive games accelerator, this episode offers a glimpse into the strategies and innovations driving the gaming industry forward.

     

    Resources: 

    Find Steven on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenSnow

    Find Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/believer-paladin/

    Find Eros on Twitter: https://twitter.com/erosresmini

    Find Jonathan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tocelot

    Find Andrew on Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewchen

    Learn more about Speedrun: https://a16z.com/games/speedrun/

     

    Stay Updated: 

    Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

    Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

    Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

    Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio

    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.

    Related Episodes

    168 | How Developers Write Less Code with AI and No Code in 2024

    168 | How Developers Write Less Code with AI and No Code in 2024

    James and Adrian content creation, from starting YouTube channels to building communities. Adrian highlights the secrets he’s learned in building a private community and some of the bleeding edge technology that he’s excited about.

    Show Notes

    [00:00:00] Introduction

    [00:01:20] Content creation and community building.

    [00:05:09] Image generation in AI.

    [00:08:09] AI models evolving in design.

    [00:12:13] Low-code, no-code tools.

    [00:16:03] Website building efficiency with Wix.

    [00:20:32] Discord community interactions.

    [00:21:34] AI creating a teams of AIs.

    [00:26:18] AI converting photos into 3D.

    [00:29:20] Creating 3D Models from Photos.

    [00:32:26] AI art and no code.

    Replacing Foreign Languages With Coding Languages with Joe Previte

    Replacing Foreign Languages With Coding Languages with Joe Previte

    Joe Previte is a developer, a teacher, and creator of Vim for VSCode. In his spare time, he enjoys creating videos for egghead, writing articles relating to coding, and participating in an online meditation study group.

    Joe shares the details of his journey from his decision to drop out of grad school and pursuing a career as a developer. Be sure to listen to the end where he opens up about the early obstacle he faced that not many people would have been able to overcome. 

    • Dropping out of grad school
    • Choosing Free Code Camp over a Coding Bootcamp
    • Participating in #100 days of code
    • Pair programming to stay focused           
    • Immersing yourself into the tech world 
    • Tips to reach out to strangers to build your community
    • 2 Week Product Challenge & Indie Hacking
    • VIM for VS Code Book
    • Freedom of time
    • How to come back from failure

     Joe's Links

    https://vimforvscode.com/

    https://twitter.com/jsjoeio

    https://www.levelupfinancialplanning.com/replacing-foreign-languages-with-coding-languages-with-joe-previte/

    13. Easy Breezy Bots

    13. Easy Breezy Bots

    It’s incredibly easy to build a bot. And incredibly hard to track down their makers.  

    In this episode, Heather Freeman interviews:

    Dr. Douglas Guilbeault Assistant Professor in the Management of Organizations, University of California - Berkeley;

    Dr. Srijan Kumar Assistant Professor, School of Computational Science and Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology;

    Dr. Samira Shaikh Assistant Professor in

    Computer Science at the  University of North Carolina at Charlotte;

    Dr. Samuel Woolley Assistant Professor of Journalism at the University of Austin at Texas.

    Additional sounds from Freesound.org, ccMixter, Free Music Archive.

    Visit https://www.familiarshapesthemovie.com/episodes for the full list of music credits.

    Will Software Engineers Be Replaced by AI in the Future?

    Will Software Engineers Be Replaced by AI in the Future?

    Technology has already come after several blue collar jobs of the past, like assembly line workers, cashiers, phone operators, and travel agents, to name a few.

    But is it possible for AI to automate and replace the job of a software engineer?

    Most technology we use today involves software - from watching our favorite shows on Netflix, to ordering a Starbucks pickup, to scheduling an early morning Uber to the airport. It should come as no surprise that programming has been the most in-demand job in our digital economy over the past 20 years.

    But as of late, a fascinating new technology known as GitHub Pilot has been making waves in tech. Copilot is an automatic coding tool, powered by OpenAI, one of the world's leading AI research laboratories and founded by tech titans such as Elon Musk and Sam Altman. It can effectively look at code written by a human programmer and suggest further lines or alternative code, eliminating some of the repetitive labor that goes into software development.

    Today, we chat with Nick Vincent once again, but this time about the ethics and irony of AI being able to automate programming itself.

    Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest stories in our ever-changing digital economy. @thingshavechangedpod

    Support the show

    Things Have Changed