OWITH.ai - Only What's Important to Hear around AI and Tech

Good morning from OWITH.ai: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in the AI and tech world.Alphabet's growth investment firm, CapitalG, has made notable promotions as revealed by Fortune. Jill Chase and Alex Nichols have been elevated to general partners for the first time since the firm's inception in 2013. Jill Chase, who joined in 2020, has been instrumental in AI investments, backing companies like Abridge and Rippling. Alex Nichols, who became a partner two years ago after joining in 2018, has worked on investments in companies such as Duolingo and Stripe. Both bring unique skills and optimism about future energy costs driven by advances in technology.Significant funding rounds have been noted across various sectors, including a $480 million seed funding for Humans& and a $70 million Series B for Emergent. The venture capital landscape is increasingly collaborative with firms focusing on diverse portfolios involving cutting-edge technologies.Business and political leaders worldwide continue their discussions at Davos, with topics like tariffs and AI on the agenda. Reputation remains crucial in the corporate sphere, as reflected by Fortune's list of most admired companies where tech firms dominate.Netflix recently reported slightly exceeding its fourth-quarter earnings expectations, though investor skepticism remains over its acquisition plans of Warner Bros. Discovery. Meanwhile, Meta faces renewed antitrust scrutiny from the U.S. FTC concerning its Instagram and WhatsApp acquisitions.OpenAI is introducing an age prediction feature for ChatGPT to enhance online safety for minors.At Davos, CEOs are focusing on agentic AI, which involves autonomous decision-making systems. Notable figures such as Google Gemini head Demis Hassabis express optimism about its potential. Discussions also include technological prospects like the revival of Google Glass and energy intelligence initiatives led by Schneider Electric's CEO Olivier Blum. Geopolitical issues are also on the agenda, with topics like U.S.-Greenland relations being discussed.As these updates demonstrate, the tech industry continues to face challenges and opportunities in navigating acquisitions, regulatory scrutiny, and societal expectations regarding technology's impact on everyday life. Stay tuned for more insights on how these developments unfold across the globe.Support the show
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Good morning from OWITH.ai, the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in the AI and tech world.At the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, discussions have shifted from the initial hype around generative AI to more pragmatic conversations about its ROI and practical applications. Business leaders are now concentrating on deriving tangible business benefits from AI, moving from the experimental phase to large-scale implementation. CEOs are leading AI initiatives top-down, driven by the need for measurable impacts on business processes. Leaders like Siemens' Jim Hagemann Snabe advocate for a more directive approach in AI deployment. Industry experts emphasize the necessity of CEO and board sponsorship for successful enterprise AI adoption. Companies are establishing centers of excellence to optimize work processes through AI, with data centralization being crucial.The race among SaaS companies to become the primary interface layer for enterprise AI agents is intensifying, with Workday, Salesforce, Microsoft, and Snowflake competing in this space. Despite concerns about job displacement due to AI, current economic data doesn't yet reflect significant impacts. Discussions also include ethical considerations regarding AI regulation based on human values and potential societal effects of ad-based AI models. Geopolitical implications of AI technology are under scrutiny, with debates over easing U.S. restrictions on AI chip sales to China.OpenAI is preparing to introduce its first consumer device focused on AI-driven interaction in late 2026. Additionally, OpenAI plans to introduce ads at the bottom of ChatGPT's responses for free users and Go subscribers as a new revenue stream despite the high costs of running advanced AI models. Meanwhile, Anthropic's new product, Claude Code, allows users to perform complex tasks without coding, sparking discussions about job displacement and competition among startups.Overall, Davos reflects a maturation in the approach towards AI, prioritizing strategic implementation while addressing economic opportunities and ethical challenges. These discussions set the stage for navigating the evolving landscape of AI in 2026 and beyond.Transitioning from global forums to innovative startups, Formulary, a company supported by Khosla Ventures, has successfully raised an oversubscribed $4.6 million seed round to develop its AI-powered fund management software for private equity and venture capital firms. Alfia Ilicheva founded Formulary after recognizing inefficiencies in private markets due to fragmented and manually compiled data. The company's goal is to automate tedious processes like tracking investments and returns, offering accurate data to investors or limited partners. Formulary aims for a middle ground between high-touch accounting services and pure software solutions by creating tech-enabled services with "bionic accountants." Khosla Ventures led the seed round, joined by Human Ventures and Serena Williams's venture firm. Although fund administration might not be glamorous, it is essential for accurate financial management and communication with investors. Current market solutions are split between service-oriented firms like SS&C and Citco, and software solutions like Carta. Formulary's innovation lies in using AI to scale the service approach effectively. The company plans to deliver most of its product through technology, aiming for margins more akin to a technology firm than a traditional services company. Looking ahead, Formulary envisions features such as drafting letters for limited partners and creating platforms for direct interaction with investors.Shifting gears towards major tech inSupport the show
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Good morning from OWITH.ai, the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in the AI and tech world.The 56th annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, is currently taking place and is marked as one of the most significant gatherings in the forum's history. Nearly 3,000 global leaders are attending, including over 850 top CEOs and 400 political leaders. This year's theme is "a spirit of dialogue," which comes against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions. Notably, President Donald Trump's threats to impose tariffs on European nations opposing his plan to buy Greenland have captured attention. This situation underscores a growing trend towards isolationism, as reflected in the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer.Discussions at the forum are expected to be dominated by geopolitical issues, but artificial intelligence is also a major focus among attendees. Informal gatherings and events along the Davos promenade provide valuable opportunities for dialogue and networking. Fortune magazine is actively participating by hosting various events, including C-suite lunches and a global leadership dinner.Let's move on to the state of global markets. The forum occurs amid mixed financial conditions, with U.S. markets closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Concerns over the U.S.'s ballooning national debt of $38.5 trillion have been highlighted, with economist Eleanor Pringle noting its impact on the American dream through challenges like low housing stock, education barriers, and high living costs.In another critical development, Ford CEO Jim Farley has raised concerns that the U.S. may not fulfill its AI ambitions unless it addresses its blue-collar labor shortage, which is vital for building AI data centers and manufacturing facilities. Market apprehension is also present regarding new tariffs introduced by Trump and their potential effects on U.S. debt and reserve currency status.Overall, this year's World Economic Forum convenes at a critical juncture of geopolitical uncertainty and economic challenges, aiming to foster dialogue among global leaders amidst rising isolationist sentiments.Support the show
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Good morning from OWITH.ai, the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in the AI and tech world. This week's edition delves into how technology reshapes various industries.The discussion begins with United Airlines' successful technological transformation under CEO Scott Kirby. Through strategic tech investments, United has improved customer experiences and enhanced other service aspects, highlighting technology's essential role in driving progress despite substantial upfront investments.Turning to legacy media, Netflix's bid for Warner Brothers and Bari Weiss's attempt to revamp CBS News show the sector's ongoing struggles with technological disruptions. The challenges faced by Weiss are emblematic of broader media conflicts as it adapts to these shifts.Apple's handling of its Vision Pro product during a live NBA game is critiqued for missing the opportunity to leverage the product's immersive potential. The suggestion is that Apple should focus on creating an authentic presence rather than sticking to traditional broadcasting norms.These discussions, alongside insights into Meta's AI infrastructure focus and geopolitical issues including China's role, offer a comprehensive view of technology's transformative impact across industries.In 2025, the U.S. venture capital sector nearly reached its 2021 high with a deal value of $339.4 billion, driven largely by artificial intelligence investments. Notably, OpenAI and Databricks led these funding rounds with significant values. However, outside AI, dealmaking has not achieved new peaks. Private equity presented a slightly different narrative, surpassing $1 trillion in deal value despite persistent fundraising challenges. This capital concentration among select firms raises questions about market evolution.In notable VC deals, Higgsfield secured $80 million for its generative video platform, Midnite raised $35 million for sportsbook operations, and GovDash obtained $30 million for government contract management tech. These investments highlight significant activity in the tech sector, particularly AI.The United States and Taiwan have solidified a trade agreement focusing on semiconductor manufacturing. Taiwanese companies like TSMC are investing significantly in U.S. production capacity while benefiting from reduced tariffs. This partnership aims to enhance U.S. semiconductor production capabilities.Meanwhile, the establishment of the AI Verification and Evaluation Research Institute by Miles Brundage underscores the importance of independent audits for AI models to ensure safety and compliance. Deliberations on agentic AI integration emphasize designing systems with fail-safes and audit capabilities, aiming for outcome-focused rather than merely automated processes.As of January 16, 2026, AI integration in healthcare is accelerating. Leaders like Suresh Gunasekaran and Erik Wexler highlight AI's role in transforming medical education and addressing staffing challenges. Despite public apprehension about job impacts, there's optimism about AI reducing healthcare costs.In business, economic growth since 1976 is highlighted as Suzanne P. Clark reflects on technological advancements shaping current abundance. Questions arise regarding Federal Reserve succession amidst a Department of Justice probe.In other developments, Ashley St. Clair's lawsuit against Elon Musk’s XAI firm and Tesla's subscription model for self-driving technology reflect ongoing legal and consumer dynamics within tech industries.Data centers face scrutiny over environmental impacts; however, they remain efficient solutions with better energy use compared to traditional facilities. Concerns about electricity demaSupport the show
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Each Saturday we take the headlines of daily podcast and ask ChatGPT to create a Sci-Fi story inspired by the news. The outcome for this week is this short story.Support the show
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