Why AI Is the Biggest Wave in Startup History — and What It Changes About Scale and Moats

In the 63rd episode of Glasp Talk, we sit down with Chris Yeh, entrepreneur, investor, and co-author of the bestselling book Blitzscaling with Reid Hoffman. Chris is a founding partner at Blitzscaling Ventures, teaches entrepreneurship at Stanford University, and shares lessons from his 15-year collaboration with Reid Hoffman.Having witnessed multiple tech revolutions from the early internet to mobile and now AI, Chris explains why AI represents the largest wave he has seen in his lifetime. Unlike previous technologies, AI touches nearly every industry and fundamentally changes how companies are built, scaled, and defended.In this episode, Chris explores how AI is reshaping blitzscaling by enabling smaller teams, accelerating growth through AI agents and internal tools, and redefining long-term moats. He also explains why technological advantages are fleeting, why context and networks matter more than models alone, and how founders can escape “Pilot Purgatory” to achieve lasting enterprise retention.

In this conversation, we cover:

• Why AI is the biggest technological wave compared to the internet and mobile
• How AI changes blitzscaling and organizational scale
• The rise of smaller teams and AI-augmented founders
• Why context matters more than models or data alone
• How startups can build lasting moats in an AI-driven world
• The difference between buying AI and truly adopting it, and how to escape “Pilot Purgatory.”
• What investors look for in the next generation of AI-native companies
• Key lessons from Chris’s 15-year partnership with Reid Hoffman
• How founders can cultivate an infinite learning mindset

Whether you are a founder, investor, builder, or lifelong learner navigating the AI era, this episode offers clear frameworks and long-term thinking on how to scale, compete, and create real value as AI reshapes the world.

📚 Reference Video:

Parth Patil: Inside Reid AI — Building Digital Clones & Agent Workflows | Glasp Talk #60

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🎥 Watch more episodes of Glasp Talk:

• ⁠Glasp Talk - Investors

• ⁠Glasp Talk⁠⁠

About Glasp Talk

Glasp Talk is a conversation series where we explore the minds of leading thinkers, builders, and lifelong learners.

Each episode dives into the guest’s personal journey, learning habits, knowledge systems, and philosophies—offering a rare glimpse into how they think, grow, and create impact.

🌟 Past guests include:

• ⁠⁠Sean Ellis⁠⁠ (Growth hacking pioneer)
• ⁠⁠Gary Rivlin⁠⁠ (Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author of AI Valley)
• ⁠⁠Julian Treasure⁠⁠ (Five-time TED speaker with over 100M views)
• ⁠⁠Bozena Pajak⁠⁠ (VP of Learning at Duolingo)
• ⁠⁠Jason Feifer⁠⁠ (Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine)

📌 Subscribe for upcoming interviews:

⁠⁠Glasp⁠⁠

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Follow Chris Yeh on social

• ⁠X
• LinkedIn
• Personal Website
• Website (Blitzscaling)

🔎 Resources from this episode:

• 📄 ⁠Transcript⁠: Chris Yeh: Blitzscaling in the AI Era – How AI Reshapes Growth and Learning | Glasp Talk #63

• 📰 Newsletter: Chris Yeh: Blitzscaling in the AI Era – How AI Reshapes Growth and Learning | Glasp Talk #63⁠

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📚 Learn more about Glasp

Glasp is a social web highlighter & learning platform used by 1M+ learners worldwide.

👉 Highlight on the web, YouTube, PDFs, and import Kindle notes. Save, organize, and share your learning with like-minded people.

▶ ⁠⁠Tutorials Playlist⁠⁠

▶ ⁠⁠Try YouTube Summary with ChatGPT & Claude⁠⁠

🎥 ⁠⁠YouTube Summary Tutorial Video⁠

How does narrative precision drive marketing in the age of AI?

In the 62nd episode of Glasp Talk, we sit down with Veronica Saron, VP of Marketing at RelationalAI and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. Previously, Veronica led marketing at Neeva, helping grow it to over 2 million users, and through its acquisition by Snowflake, and earlier helped turn Pokémon GO into a global phenomenon while at Niantic.

Today, she also serves as a fractional CMO, LP at MKT1 Capital, and advisor to early-stage startups, while collaborating with the U.S. Olympic Foundation to study elite performance mindsets.

In this episode, Veronica shares how narrative precision, taste, and human connection can transform obscurity into breakout growth and why marketing roles may be more resilient than software engineering in the AI era.

In this conversation, we cover:

• How AI is reshaping marketing, branding, and creative workflows
• Why marketing and customer-facing roles may outlast engineering jobs
• The rise of “founder-led marketing” and building personal narratives
• How to develop taste and distinct brand voices in an AI-saturated world
• What Pokémon GO taught her about scaling cultural phenomena globally
• Lessons from Neeva’s acquisition by Snowflake and startup hypergrowth
• How becoming a new parent reframed her view on time, purpose, and legacy
• What Olympic athletes can teach founders about resilience and reinvention

Whether you’re a marketer, founder, or creative leader navigating the AI revolution, this episode offers a candid and inspiring take on balancing innovation, identity, and impact in work and life.
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📚 Reference Video:

John Whaley: How to Build a Safer Future - AI’s Role in Cybersecurity and Beyond

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🎥 Watch more episodes of Glasp Talk:

• Glasp Talk - Marketer

• Glasp Talk⁠

About Glasp Talk

Glasp Talk is a conversation series where we explore the minds of leading thinkers, builders, and lifelong learners.

Each episode dives into the guest’s personal journey, learning habits, knowledge systems, and philosophies—offering a rare glimpse into how they think, grow, and create impact.

🌟 Past guests include:

• ⁠Sean Ellis⁠ (Growth hacking pioneer)
• ⁠Gary Rivlin⁠ (Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author of AI Valley)
• ⁠Julian Treasure⁠ (Five-time TED speaker with over 100M views)
• ⁠Bozena Pajak⁠ (VP of Learning at Duolingo)
• ⁠Jason Feifer⁠ (Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine)

📌 Subscribe for upcoming interviews:

⁠Glasp⁠

——

Follow Veronica Saron on social

• LinkedIn
• X
• Forbes

🔎 Resources from this episode:

• 📄 ⁠Transcript⁠

——

📚 Learn more about Glasp

Glasp is a social web highlighter & learning platform used by 1M+ learners worldwide.

👉 Highlight on the web, YouTube, PDFs, and import Kindle notes. Save, organize, and share your learning with like-minded people.

▶ ⁠Tutorials Playlist⁠

▶ ⁠Try YouTube Summary with ChatGPT & Claude⁠

🎥 ⁠YouTube Summary Tutorial Video⁠

How is AI rewriting go-to-market playbooks—and where do humans still have the edge?

In the 61st episode of Glasp Talk, we sit down with Maja Voje, a bestselling author and one of the world’s leading go-to-market strategists. Maja has helped over 10,000 companies develop repeatable GTM systems, worked with giants like Tesla, IBM, and Microsoft, and authored the Amazon bestseller Go-To-Market Strategist. She also founded Growth Lab, where she builds AI-powered GTM systems and has trained over 8,500 professionals worldwide.

In this conversation, we cover:

• The three stages every startup must navigate: problem-solution fit, product-market fit, and GTM + scaling
• How AI is reshaping go-to-market motions—from inbound and outbound to paid, community, ABM, and PLG
• The new reality of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and how startups can win traffic in the AI-first era
• Why distribution is now “the queen” and how audience-first strategies are reshaping startup growth
• Where human marketers still matter most: taste-making, stakeholder management, and trust-building

If you’re a founder, marketer, or growth leader navigating the AI era, this episode offers practical frameworks and hard-earned insights on building GTM strategies that actually work today.

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📚 Reference Videos:

• Was the Sean Ellis Test already in place at Dropbox?
• Is the AI project in Reid Hoffman’s office intended only for internal use, or will it be launched externally?
• Do startup founders still need human co-founders now that AI agents can act as virtual CTOs, COOs, or CBOs?

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🎥 Watch more episodes of Glasp Talk:

• Glasp Talk - Product Leaders
• Glasp Talk

About Glasp Talk

Glasp Talk is a conversation series where we explore the minds of leading thinkers, builders, and lifelong learners.

Each episode dives into the guest’s personal journey, learning habits, knowledge systems, and philosophies—offering a rare glimpse into how they think, grow, and create impact.

🌟 Past guests include:

• Sean Ellis (Growth hacking pioneer)
• Gary Rivlin (Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author of AI Valley)
• Julian Treasure (Five-time TED speaker with over 100M views)
• Bozena Pajak (VP of Learning at Duolingo)
• Jason Feifer (Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine)

📌 Subscribe for upcoming interviews:

Glasp

——

Follow Maja Voje on social

• X
• LinkedIn
• Website
• YouTube
• Newsletter
• Book, "Go-To-Market Strategist: Everything You Need to Reach Product-Market Fit"

——

🔎 Resources from this episode:

• 📄 Transcript

——

📚 Learn more about Glasp

Glasp is a social web highlighter & learning platform used by 1M+ learners worldwide.

👉 Highlight on the web, YouTube, PDFs, and import Kindle notes. Save, organize, and share your learning with like-minded people.

▶ Tutorials Playlist

▶ Try YouTube Summary with ChatGPT & Claude

🎥 YouTube Summary Tutorial Video

This is the sixtieth session of Glasp Talk.

Glasp Talk delves into intimate interviews with luminaries from various fields, unraveling their genuine emotions, experiences, and the stories behind them.

Today’s guest is Parth Patil, an AI engineer, innovator, and technical advisor driving the future of AI agents and compositional software.

Parth has worked at the cutting edge of generative AI, from building research automation systems and chatbot frameworks to teaching thousands of learners worldwide through Coursera. He previously worked at Clubhouse and is now shaping AI agent development alongside the office of Reid Hoffman, where he famously built "Reid AI," an AI clone of the LinkedIn co-founder that sparked global conversations about identity and intelligence in the age of AI.

In this conversation, Parth shares his vision for how compositional software, systems built by combining AI agents and generative tools, will redefine the way we build and interact with technology. He explains the principles of "vibe coding," an experimental approach he pioneered since the GPT-3.5 era that emphasizes intuition and creativity over rigid structure, and reflects on its applications with platforms like Replit.

From early experiments with autonomous tools to designing the next generation of AI-driven systems, Parth offers insights into accessibility, safety, and creativity in this rapidly evolving field. Whether you are building agents yourself or simply curious about what comes after chatbots, this episode will challenge you to imagine the possibilities of a world powered by AI agents.

Follow Parth Patil on social:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Watch the full episode on YouTube:

Parth Patil: From Reid AI to the Next Generation of AI Agents | Glasp Talk #60

This is the fifty-ninth session of Glasp Talk.

Glasp Talk delves into intimate interviews with luminaries from various fields, unraveling their genuine emotions, experiences, and the stories behind them.

Today’s guest is Isabelle Hau, Executive Director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning and a leading voice in reimagining education for the AI era.

Formerly a venture capitalist at Omidyar Network, Isabelle now advocates for human-centered educational approaches that prioritize enhancing human connections through AI rather than replacing them. She is also the author of "Love to Learn: The Transformative Power of Care and Connection in Early Education," a book that examines how relational intelligence, empathy, and curiosity can revolutionize the learning process.

In this conversation, Isabelle explains why the future of learning must strike a balance between AI’s potential and the irreplaceable value of human relationships. She shares how educators and policymakers can integrate AI tools to complement teachers, and offers insights into rethinking assessment, equity, and engagement in the digital age.

From early childhood through lifelong learning, Isabelle offers practical ideas for creating education systems that empower learners to thrive in a rapidly changing, technology-driven world. Whether you are an educator, parent, policymaker, or simply passionate about the future of education and AI, this episode will inspire you to imagine an educational landscape where technology serves humanity.

Follow Isabelle Hau on social:

• Website
• X
• LinkedIn
• Small Talks (Substack)
• Book: "Love to Learn: The Transformative Power of Care and Connection in Early Education"

Watch the full episode on YouTube:

Isabelle Hau: We Learn Socially, Why AI Can’t Replace Human Connection in Education | Glasp Talk #59

This is the fifty-eighth session of Glasp Talk.

Glasp Talk delves into intimate interviews with luminaries from various fields, unraveling their genuine emotions, experiences, and the stories behind them.

Today’s guest is Noah Smith, one of the most influential voices in tech-driven economic commentary. A former assistant professor of economics with a background in physics, Noah is now a widely read writer and commentator, known for his sharp and data-driven insights shared through his newsletter, Noahpinion, and his social media presence. His work seamlessly bridges economic theory with real-world shifts in technology, policy, and global strategy.

In this conversation, Noah shares his journey from physics to economics, reflects on his time living in Japan, and discusses how emerging technologies are reshaping economies, societies, and power structures worldwide. He explores the limits of economic prediction, why optimism matters more than ever, and how the next global growth wave may come from unexpected places. He also delves into Japan’s economic potential, the "Weeb Economy" framework, and the cultural mindsets that drive national resilience.

From AI's impact on jobs and productivity to geopolitics and national identity, Noah offers a timely and forward-looking perspective for anyone navigating the complexities of the new economy. Whether you're a policymaker, builder, academic, or lifelong learner, this episode offers insights that will challenge your assumptions and broaden your thinking.

Follow Noah Smith on social:

• Substack

• X
• LinkedIn

Read the transcript:

Noah Smith: Why AI Isn’t Replacing Jobs & Greenfield Investment’s Global Impact | Glasp Talk #58

Watch the full episode on YouTube:

⁠Noah Smith: Why AI Isn’t Replacing Jobs & Greenfield Investment’s Global Impact | Glasp Talk #58⁠

Read the newsletter:

⁠⁠Noah Smith: Why AI Isn’t Replacing Jobs & Greenfield Investment’s Global Impact | Glasp Talk #58⁠⁠

This is the fifty-seventh session of Glasp Talk.

Glasp Talk delves into intimate interviews with luminaries from various fields, unraveling their genuine emotions, experiences, and the stories behind them.

Today’s guest is Yohei Nakajima, General Partner at Untapped Capital and the visionary creator of BabyAGI. This autonomous agent framework sparked global attention in the AI community and was featured at TED AI.

As both a venture capitalist and a hands-on builder, Yohei is pioneering a new way of creating startups using autonomous agents to rapidly prototype, validate, and scale ideas.

In this conversation, Yohei shares his vision for how AI agents will reshape startup prototyping. He explains how multi-agent systems, generative workflows, and automation can accelerate early-stage innovation. He also discusses lessons from building over 100 projects, how founders can use tools like Replit and ChatGPT to uncover untapped opportunities, and why "building with agents" may become the new normal for venture creation.

From rethinking what it means to be a founder in the AI era to designing systems that think and build alongside humans, this episode offers a glimpse into the future of entrepreneurship. Whether you're a founder, investor, engineer, or simply curious about the intersection of startups and AI, this conversation will inspire you to explore what’s possible when you build with agents.

Follow Yohei Nakajima on social:

• X
• LinkedIn
• Website
• Apps
• Untapped VC

Read the transcript:

⁠How AI Agents and Building in Public Are Changing Venture Capital | Yohei Nakajima | Glasp Talk #57

Watch the full episode on YouTube:

How AI Agents and Building in Public Are Changing Venture Capital | Yohei Nakajima | Glasp Talk #57

This is the fifty-sixth session of Glasp Talk.

Glasp Talk delves into intimate interviews with luminaries from various fields, unraveling their genuine emotions, experiences, and the stories behind them.

Today’s guest is Scott D. Clary, host of the world’s #1 entrepreneurship podcast and an influential voice on success, mindset, and self-reinvention. With over 1,000 interviews under his belt, from startup founders to Fortune 500 executives, Scott has gathered timeless lessons on what it truly means to succeed.

In this conversation, Scott unpacks the mindset shifts required to build a life and career you won’t regret, sharing how to simplify life’s complexities, manage energy for peak performance, and build systems rooted in clarity and intention. He explains why betting on yourself is the safest investment, how to navigate burnout and redefine productivity, and what he’s learned from speaking with some of the world’s most accomplished individuals about their holistic approaches to success, including health, relationships, and spirituality.

From future-proofing your identity to living a life aligned with your values, Scott offers practical insights for anyone seeking clarity, resilience, and self-directed success. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a builder, or simply someone rethinking what matters most, this episode will empower you to create a life on your terms.

Follow Scott D. Clary on social:

• X

• LinkedIn

• Facebook

• YouTube

• Website

Read the transcript:

Bet on Yourself: Lessons from 1,000+ Interviews on Success | Scott D. Clary | Glasp Talk #56

Read the newsletter:

Bet on Yourself: Lessons from 1,000+ Interviews on Success | Scott D. Clary | Glasp Talk #56

Watch the full episode on YouTube:

Bet on Yourself: Lessons from 1,000+ Interviews on Success | Scott D. Clary | Glasp Talk #56

This is the fifty-fifth session of Glasp Talk.

Glasp Talk delves into intimate interviews with luminaries from various fields, unraveling their genuine emotions, experiences, and the stories behind them.

Today’s guest is Metehan Yeşilyurt, a top 100 growth hacking influencer and Growth Marketing Manager at App Samurai. With over a decade of experience in SEO, product-led growth, and AI-driven strategies, Metehan brings sharp insights into how digital marketing is evolving in real time.

In this conversation, Metehan breaks down the shift from traditional SEO to AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), new paradigms for optimizing content in the era of LLMs and AI search. He explains why outdated SEO tricks fall short, why crafting AI-optimized content fuels growth, why the “Share-on-AI” memory hack unlocks LLM reach, and why structured knowledge matters more than ever.

From AI search behaviors to curiosity-driven growth tactics, Metehan shares practical advice and fresh mental models for anyone navigating a post-SEO world. Whether you're a growth professional, content strategist, or lifelong learner, this episode will reshape how you think about discoverability and digital growth.

Follow Metehan Yeşilyurt on social:

• X
• LinkedIn
• Website
• GitHub

Read the transcript:

How AI and AEO (Answer-Engine Optimization) are Reshaping SEO | Metehan Yeşilyurt | Glasp Talk #55

Read the newsletter:

How AI and AEO (Answer-Engine Optimization) are Reshaping SEO | Metehan Yeşilyurt | Glasp Talk #55

Watch the full episode on YouTube:

How AI and AEO (Answer-Engine Optimization) are Reshaping SEO | Metehan Yeşilyurt | Glasp Talk #55

This is the fifty-fourth session of Glasp Talk!

Glasp Talk delves into intimate interviews with luminaries from various fields, unraveling their genuine emotions, experiences, and the stories behind them.

Today’s guest is Gregor Ojstersek, a seasoned engineering leader and the Founder of the Engineering Leadership newsletter. In this conversation, Gregor explores what it means to be an engineer in the era of rapid AI advancement, not just building technology, but leading with thoughtfulness and intention.

From his early career experiences to growing his newsletter to over 150,000 subscribers and advising startups on how to build high-performing engineering organizations, Gregor shares rich insights grounded in experience.

He reflects on the risks of over-reliance on AI tools, explains the ideal role of a CTO in startup environments, and emphasizes why hiring “scrappy builders” often matters more than polished resumes when forming early-stage teams.

This episode offers a rare look into the mindset of someone at the intersection of engineering leadership and the fast-changing AI landscape. Whether you're an engineer, founder, or lifelong learner, Gregor’s reflections on vision, resilience, and long-term thinking will leave a lasting impression.

Follow Gregor Ojstersek on social:

• X
• LinkedIn
• Substack
• YouTube
• Maven Course

Read the transcript:

How Engineers Build and Lead in the Age of AI | Gregor Ojstersek | Glasp Talk #54

Read the newsletter:

How Engineers Build and Lead in the Age of AI | Gregor Ojstersek | Glasp Talk #54

Watch the full episode on YouTube:

How Engineers Build and Lead in the Age of AI | Gregor Ojstersek | Glasp Talk #54