State of the AI Union

In this episode, Laura Fu interviews Josh Garbuio, co-founder of Leo, about the transformative impact of AI on marketing. They discuss the evolution of marketing budgets, the role of AI in automating marketing operations, and the importance of maintaining authenticity in AI-driven campaigns. Josh shares insights on the challenges of building an AI startup and the future trends in marketing AI, emp...

In this episode, Laura Fu interviews Pujun Bhatnagar and Jeff Gibson, co-founders of Kintsugi, an AI-native company focused on revolutionizing sales tax compliance. They discuss their backgrounds, the vision behind Kintsugi, and the unique challenges of building an AI-first company. The conversation explores the importance of understanding customer needs, the evolution of pricing strategies in AI,...

We’re bringing together founders, operators, investors, and builders to make sense of the AI moment we’re all living through. From how enterprises are actually buying AI, to what happens when companies try to build it in-house, to why new standards like MCP matter — we’ll cut through the noise and give sales teams (and anyone selling into this space) the clarity they need. It’s fast, it’s practica...

Summary In this episode, Laura Fu and Anirudh Shenoy discuss the evolving role of AI in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of human oversight in AI systems. They explore the concept of 'humans in the loop', the challenges of AI adoption, and the need for a shift in mindset when managing AI agents. The conversation highlights design principles for effective human-AI interaction and b...

Summary In this episode, Laura Fu and Ribhu Chawla discuss the Model Context Protocol (MCP), its significance in the AI landscape, and how it transforms the way AI agents interact with various tools and APIs. They explore the differences between MCP and traditional APIs, the importance of implementing MCP in organizations, and how it can enhance efficiency and data utilization through the Knowledg...

In this episode, Laura Fu interviews Itamar Novick from Recursive Ventures, discussing his extensive background in technology and venture capital, particularly focusing on data and AI. They explore the evaluation of AI companies, the importance of defensibility and moats, challenges in acquiring enterprise customers, and the critical role of human-machine interaction in AI adoption. The conversati...

In this episode, Laura Fu hosts Griffin Churich and Juan Furcada to discuss a remarkable deal closed in record time. They delve into the strategies employed to understand customer needs, engage technical teams, navigate stakeholder priorities, and validate their product. The conversation highlights the importance of AI in solving business problems, efficient data migration, and the competitive adv...

In this episode, Laura Fu and Jeff Ignacio discuss the integration of AI in Revenue Operations (RevOps). They explore current use cases, implementation strategies, and the challenges faced by RevOps professionals in adopting AI technologies. Jeff shares insights on ideal AI tools, the importance of data hygiene, and offers advice for both AI vendors and buyers in the RevOps space. takeaways AI is...

In this episode, Laura Fu and Thomas Hill discuss the current landscape of AI in business, focusing on the challenges and opportunities that arise when companies consider building their own AI solutions versus purchasing existing ones. They explore the importance of data management, the role of customer support, and how DevRev's unique approach with a knowledge graph can help organizations eff...

In this episode, Laura Fu and Ahmed discuss the essential infrastructure needed for AI, the challenges faced by traditional software in adapting to AI, and the importance of a data-driven strategy. They explore the balance between horizontal and vertical AI strategies, the significance of intentionality in AI development, and the engineering challenges that arise in building AI solutions. The conv...

summary In this episode, Vishal and Jason discuss effective strategies for closing large AI deals, emphasizing the importance of identifying real business problems, demonstrating AI value through proof of concepts (POCs), and addressing the critical role of data in AI solutions. They share insights on navigating buyer skepticism and the significance of platform thinking in AI sales. The conversati...

Summary In this episode, Laura Fu interviews Neel Kamal, CEO of AdamX, discussing the challenges sales teams face despite the abundance of AI tools. Neel introduces the concepts of 'grind mode' and 'vibe mode' in sales technology, emphasizing the need for tools that reduce mental load and enhance decision-making. He explores the Vibe Stack, a collection of technologies that streamline sales proces...

In this episode, Ribhu Chawla discusses the principles of building effective AI agents, contrasting traditional automation with the flexibility of AI agents. He emphasizes the importance of outcome orientation, context, and memory in agent development, as well as the need for collaboration and inspection capabilities to ensure trust and adaptability in AI systems. Ribhu also provides insights on h...

summary In this episode of the State of the AI Union podcast, Laura Fu and Chris Connelly discuss the complexities of defining work in the context of AI collaboration. They explore how AI can assist in tasks but emphasize the importance of human judgment and experience. The conversation delves into generational differences in adapting to AI technologies, the need for clear communication skills, an...

Summary In this episode, Laura Fu and Rizurekh discuss the evolving landscape of AI agents, differentiating between true AI agents and deterministic workflows. They explore the nuances of agentic workflows, the challenges in building effective AI agents, and the importance of setting user expectations. The conversation also delves into technical considerations for AI agents and the distinction bet...

Summary In this episode, Laura Fu and Kevin Su discuss the evolving landscape of AI funding, the challenges and opportunities in the market, and the importance of evaluating AI vendors for long-term sustainability. They explore the shifts in investment strategies, the definition of AI platforms versus point solutions, and the valuation trends in AI companies. The conversation highlights the growin...

Summary In this episode of the State of the AI Union, host Laura Fu and guest Tim discuss the intersection of AI and design, exploring how architecture can enhance human experiences. They delve into the evolving role of designers as AI systems become more integrated into workflows, emphasizing the importance of user experience and trust. The conversation covers the limitations and potential of con...

Summary In this conversation, Andrew Lockman discusses the evolving landscape of AI in enterprises, focusing on buyer concerns, the importance of use cases, and the role of sales professionals in navigating this complex environment. He emphasizes the need for predictability, security, and effective user experiences while addressing the hesitations and urgency surrounding AI adoption. The conversat...

summary In this episode, Laura Fu and Chad McAllister discuss the current state of AI, particularly focusing on its perception in Silicon Valley versus outside it. They explore the adoption cycles of technology, the dynamics of enterprise AI in boardrooms, and how AI is integrated into daily life. The conversation also touches on the comparison between AI and cryptocurrency, emphasizing the import...

In this episode of the State of the AI Union, Laura Fu and Katya discuss the integration of AI into workflows, particularly in finance and coding. They explore the concept of invisible AI, its role in enhancing productivity, and the importance of organizational structures for successful AI implementation. The conversation highlights the need for clear instructions and data organization to maximize...

Summary In this episode, Laura and Prithvi discuss the evolving landscape of product development in the age of AI. They explore the challenges of the broken feedback loop in SaaS, the role of AI in synthesizing customer feedback, and how product roadmaps are changing. The conversation also touches on the future of planning, the impact of conversational interfaces, and the shifting roles of product...

In this episode, Laura and Chandra discuss the transition from the SaaS era to a new age dominated by AI. They explore how AI is reshaping human interactions, the generational differences in technology adoption, and the importance of data context in AI applications. The conversation delves into the concept of agentic workflows, where AI not only generates content but also executes tasks, and the p...

Summary In this engaging podcast, Laura and Chandra discuss the transformative impact of AI on humanity, the rapid pace of AI model releases, and the strategic considerations of building versus buying AI solutions. They explore the implications of market volatility on customer decision-making, the importance of governance in AI architecture, and the critical role of trust in customer relationships...