Join us for another insightful conversation with Jaclyn Rice Nelson, the visionary CEO and founder of Tribe AI. Tribe AI is a firm that provides and connects AI and machine learning-focused engineers to businesses wanting to optimize their operations and make data-driven decisions. Jackie noticed a gap in the market where many specialized AI/ ML engineers were only hired via the occasional ad-hoc consulting gig. However, she knew there were countless companies that desperately needed the help of exactly these experts. She wanted to build a new market for leveraging AI experts. This was the birth of Tribe AI. 

Themes in this episode navigating the windy path to identifying a gap in the market, alternative ways to start, fund, and scale a startup, and the future of AI in today’s market, including a discussion on defensibility and IP. Let’s open the door. 

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5:45 - Where did Jackie grow up and how did that shape her view of the world?
8:07 - Did Jackie ever think she would become a founder?
10:11 - How was Jackie’s experience at Google?
13:45 - What is the origin of Coalition Operators' mission of empowering women investors?
17:47 - How did Jackie meet her cofounder?
21:50 - What was the “aha moment” that sparked the start of Tribe AI?
25:07 - How has the AI landscape been changing and what effect has that had on Tribe AI?
27:59 - How are companies utilizing Tribe AI?
29:16 - What was a moment in founding Tribe AI when things didn’t go as planned?
34:17 - How do Tribe AI and its engineers think about IP and ownership?
37:03 - What are some ideologies that Jackie has heard in regard to privacy in APIs?
40:10 - How is Jackie thinking about the application layer?
43:58 - Who is a woman who has had a profound impact on Jackie and her career?

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