Hallway Chat

The two types of Agentic Engineering, and their teams

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 05:26:47 -0100

We return from a break to discuss the effects of an avalanche of app making due to Claude and Codex, including “Camp,” an experiment by Nabeel in native multiplayer AI-assisted group work beyond shareable outputs. We cover: In order to be a founder leading AI transformation do you need to lead by example? Conductor’s viral “prompt feature requests” workflow, reality of one-shot apps versus iterative prompting, how teams may use less open-source, Gemini's comparative strengths, and what does it mean when the engineering pod optimal size has moved from six to two. We end by discussing Granola’s MCP and why data moats are fragile, favoring best interfaces and customer-centric access.

00:00 Divergent Paths: Two types of Engineering post Claude 4.5
00:00 Introduction: The New Reality of Coding
00:21 Building Camp: Multiplayer Knowledge Work
03:12 Open Source in the Age of Models
08:56 The Recommendation Problem: From Average to Expert
15:29 Why Gemini Works for Personalization
18:32 Submit a Prompt: Conductor's Product Innovation
21:50 Two types of Engineering: Automatic vs Iterative
32:08 Rethinking Team Structure: From Six to Two
35:01 Can you AI transform without living it yourself?
40:12 Data Moats and the MCP Shift
44:05 Making Context Ubiquitous

(00:00) - The two types of engineering post Claude 4.5
(00:00) - Introduction: The New Reality of Coding
(00:21) - Building Camp: Multiplayer Knowledge Work
(03:13) - Open Source in the Age of Models
(08:57) - The Recommendation Problem: From Average to Expert
(15:30) - Why Gemini Works for Personalization
(18:33) - Submit a Prompt: Conductor's Product Innovation
(21:51) - Two types of Engineering: Automatic vs Iterative
(32:09) - Rethinking Team Structure: From Six to Two
(35:02) - Can you AI transform without living it yourself?
(40:13) - Data Moats and the MCP Shift
(44:06) - Making Context Ubiquitous

Personality, humanism, poke, and raising the ceiling

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 04:42:00 -0100

Why are dentists so into vibe coding? Where's the Steve Jobs of this era? In this episode of Hallway Chat, Fraser and Nabeel discuss the viral AI assistant Poke, within the broader context of the rise of niche AI applications. They also talk about the importance of specialization in AI applications, AI’s role in advancing scientific discovery and societal progress, and the future of AI in creative fields like music and art.
Plus, a compelling use case for AI-enabled accessibility.

(00:00) - Cold Open
(02:28) - Exploring Poke, a New Email Assistant
(06:41) - The Role of Personality in AI Products
(09:33) - Raising the Floor on AI Email Assistants
(11:00) - The Future of AI Assistants
(14:55) - Customer-Centric Product Development
(28:00) - The Evolution of Coding AI
(30:22) - Specialized AI Applications
(31:59) - The Impact of Open World Agents
(36:53) - Raising the Bar in AI Innovation
(45:51) - Teaching AI Ethics
(49:26) - The Future of AI in Creative Industries
(52:29) - AI and Accessibility

Be Water, Ubiquity over Ownership

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 02:51:42 -0100

In this episode of Hallway Chat, Nabeel and Fraser unpack the emerging power of tool use, reasoning traces, and code execution in modern models. They reflect on how startups can stay ahead in a market that feels like it changes every 90 days, and what product choices separate the winners from the also-rans.

The conversation spans Conductor’s clever planning/execution design, Notion’s everywhere-at-once API strategy, and the subtle ways models persuade us—sometimes too effectively. Along the way, they explore how founders should handle VCs circling during competitive raises, why misinformation concerns may be shifting, and why Fraser still turns to Gemini for certain jobs despite its quirks.

It’s a candid look at the red-ocean dynamics of AI, the importance of owning your narrative, and how the future of work may mean managing a team of agents as naturally as we once managed people.

(00:00) - Cold Open: Not Owning the UI
(00:28) - Welcome Back + Era Check
(01:26) - Tool Use Crosses the Rubicon
(02:24) - Code + Browse + Reasoning = The New Triumverate
(04:47) - Steerability & Plan Mode UX
(05:46) - Why Code-Writing Hasn't Infiltrated Apps (Yet)
(07:55) - Be Water: Notion's Everywhere Strategy
(08:55) - Managing Many Agents Is... Tiring
(15:41) - Model Divergence & The Need for a Picker
(20:19) - Red-Ocean Reality & Controlling the Narrative

Building Open World AI w/Andrew Mason

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 17:09:12 +0000

Nabeel and Fraser sit down with Andrew Mason, founder of Descript, for a deep dive into evolution "open world agents" in AI products. The trio uses the recent Airtable re-founding as a lens to look at open world agent architecture, what makes a great AI-enhanced user experience, and how Descript is embracing agent-first workflows as well. From the positioning of chat windows to the philosophy of “rewiring” users for AI, this conversation explores the strategic decisions shaping the next generation of software tools—and what it really takes to build a product users trust, understand, and love.

(00:00) - Open World AI w/ Andrew Mason
(00:47) - Introduction and Guest
(01:01) - Discussing Airtable's AI Implementation
(01:49) - "Cursor for X"
(03:35) - The Challenge of Surfacing AI Work
(05:08) - Review States and AI Adoption
(07:05) - Airtable's Refounding Moment
(08:13) - Open World Agents vs Agents on Rails
(10:56) - The Power of Chat as Primary Interface
(37:55) - Feature Discovery Through AI
(45:25) - The Future of Product Design with AI

Making the perfect backpack. Craft in the age of AI.

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 20:13:58 +0000

Craft in the age of AI. Nabeel and Fraser start with a dive into what makes the Boundary backpack so great. They explore how AI is changing the way we do customer research, the importance of obsessive attention to detail, and why great founders still need great taste. Along the way, they debate what it takes to recreate the creative magic of “1930s Paris” for modern product builders.

(00:00) - Opening
(00:27) - Backpacks and Craft
(05:36) - AI's potential role in product refinement and customer research
(08:42) - The Down Power Wash Dish Spray?
(10:08) - Consumer packaged goods and the importance of user research
(15:38) - Creating environments that foster creativity and innovation
(35:21) - The importance of solving fundamental problems in startups
(37:47) - Microsoft Teams as a signal about founders

AI Severance: One Memory or Many?

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 05:14:19 +0000

In this episode of Hallway Chat, Nabeel and Fraser explore the future of AI through the lenses of memory, context, and product design. They debate whether users will maintain separate AIs for work and home, why visually verifiable output is critical to product success, and how startups should behave in a world where the best models become commodities. From the case for uneconomical AI to the trade-off between 500 average agents and one brilliant one, they unpack what it takes to build great AI products—and when, if ever, VCs should preempt funding rounds.

(00:00) - Chapter 1
(01:54) - Will AI Democratize Like the iPhone?
(03:03) - Should You Burn Tokens to Win?
(06:25) - The Case for Going Big with Compute
(09:09) - 500 Agents or One Genius?
(18:19) - The Importance of Proof of Work
(19:49) - Building the Right UI for Agents
(22:23) - Visualizing AI Output: A Design Challenge
(33:37) - Memory Wars: Work AI vs. Personal AI
(35:01) - Consumer Benefit > Privacy?
(37:36) - Whats at stake, your memory
(45:28) - Model Switching as a Feature, Not a Bug
(53:53) - VC Talk: When to Preempt a Round

State of AI and Games

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 05:33:00 +0000

Nabeel and Fraser debrief on GDC and the opportunities for innovation beyond the conservative approaches in an industry going through a funk. They touch on the experiences at the recent GDC, including the growth of AI in gaming and the recurring challenges faced by developers. The discussion also covers the competitive landscape of AI startups, the importance of stacking wins, and the nuanced differences between building games and software products. Notably, they highlight the intriguing possibility of a vibrant game creation ecosystem driven by new model capabilities and the compelling idea of making game creation itself a multiplayer experience.

(00:00) - Introduction: Bridging the Gap in the Gaming Industry
(00:35) - GDC Week Highlights and Reflections
(01:41) - Challenges and Innovations in AI and Gaming
(03:50) - The Broken Ecosystem of Game Distribution
(07:45) - The Future of Game Development and Creativity
(19:59) - The Future of Multiplayer Coding
(21:09) - The Magic of New Capabilities
(22:07) - From Capabilities to Durable Products
(23:39) - Stacking Wins for Long-Term Success
(33:54) - Innovations in the Gaming Industry

Building an Interestingness Leaderboard

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 05:47:00 -0100

We have evals for AI models, what about AI products? Today, Nabeel and Fraser talk about building computer games through vibe coding, and just when we might see a breakout success of an AI-built game. Through this discussion, they also explore what building a platform that curates weird AI experiments might look like, particularly one that builders could use for discovery and inspiration.

(00:00) - Ep. 33 - Do we need a leaderboard for AI products
(01:32) - Exploring Vibe Coding and Community Building
(03:41) - AI Gaming and Future Prospects
(07:36) - separate cross talk
(09:28) - Creating an AI Meta
(11:31) - Exploring AI Apps and Platforms
(15:10) - Building a Curated AI Product Platform

Questions we’re asking of AI startups in 2025.

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 05:07:44 -0100

Today, Nabeel and Fraser tackle the questions they've been asking internally. What level of improvement would it take to disrupt an incumbent product? They also explore what advantages second movers have in product markets, the emerging importance of reasoning models and computer use products, and what makes certain legacy markets ripe for AI reinvention.

(00:00) - Intro
(01:28) - Can 10% better, year after year, win?
(10:43) - The questions we are asking
(11:11) - Second Mover Advantage
(26:55) - Exploring Deep Research and Competitors
(29:11) - The Future of Computer Use
(35:56) - AI as Muse: Enhancing Human Creativity

Granola & The Art of Invisible AI - Christopher Pedregal

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 17:44:57 -0100

Nabeel and Fraser sit down for a round-table discussion with Chris Pedregal, founder and CEO of Granola, an AI note taking app, to discuss Granola’s evolution and product philosophy. Their conversation touches on the challenges of developing user-friendly AI products, and how to balance that with product vision. They also talk about what it’s like being a second-time founder, as well as if and when AI wearables will gain widespread adoption.

(00:00) - Christopher Pedregal - Granola & the Art of Invisible AI
(01:05) - Second time founder syndrome
(01:42) - The path to Granola
(04:13) - Starting by "playing"
(11:16) - The friend test
(12:25) - Product philosophy behind Granola
(16:25) - AI as Augmentor
(22:04) - Balancing beginner and expert users
(34:21) - Granola's Initial Launch and Challenges
(34:52) - Balancing Product Development and Market Fit
(35:58) - Where Granola is headed from here
(40:00) - Vertical AI vs. General Assistants, who wins where?
(42:44) - The Wisdom of Experts Era
(50:54) - AI passing judgement
(53:51) - Wearables role in AI
(01:00:25) - Social Dynamics and Privacy Concerns
(01:02:32) - The Need for New Norms and Labels
(01:03:01) - What else could be Granola-ized

Distilling Lessons from AI in 2024

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 22:37:05 -0100

What lessons will we take from 2024's AI products into next year? How better to reflect on advancements in the field of AI over this past year than to ask AI itself? Today, Fraser and Nabeel use AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, and o1 to first look back and see if products and innovations of 2023 lived up to their hype in 2024. And to look at the show’s year in review, Nabeel puts these AI models to the test by feeding them episode transcripts and seeing which model produces a usable summary. Together, they also dive into the effectiveness of Google Gemini’s Deep Research tool, the rise of agentic computing in 2024, and whether products ever fundamentally change or just get constantly re-invented.

(00:00) - Introduction
(00:48) - Reflecting on a Year of AI Releases
(00:23) - The Rise of Agentic AI
(00:38) - Google Gemini’s Deep Research
(00:47) - Using AI Models to Review 2024 at Hallway Chat
(00:56) - The Role of Taste in Making Great AI Products
(00:06) - The Rollout of o1
(00:06) - WebSim - Self Expression Through Software
(00:36) - Same Products, Different Iterations
(00:39) - A Second Look at Apple Intelligence
(00:10) - Living Agentically with AI
(00:18) - Final Thoughts

Coaching Up: Should your AI be teaching you how to use it?

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 05:35:03 -0100

Everywhere you turn, companies have shoved AI features into their products that no one is using. Today, Fraser and Nabeel ask each other—are there any AI features that you’re actually using in older products? Plus: How kids will be shaped using AI products daily. What would a fully unstructured Slack look like. AI email habits. Do we think incumbents will catch up with AI integrations? PREM framework for startup prioritization. Is this startups vs incumbents, or just startups vs the big llms?

(00:00) - Intro
(00:52) - Welcome to Hallway Chat
(01:05) - What have incumbents really done with AI?
(08:59) - Trends in AI integrations that work
(20:21) - Reflecting, it's still early
(23:42) - Creating AI that manages up
(28:47) - PREM: A framework for prioritization
(34:32) - Forget incumbents, how do startups fight fend off the LLMs?
(37:24) - What are the new horizontals?

Q&A: Is NotebookLM an exception to a rule? When to copy? When are small improvements better than big bets? Will data privacy matter?

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 20:16:09 -0100

Open format Q&A this week. Fraser and Nabeel explore AI data privacy, the ethics of copying features, and maintaining innovation. They discuss enterprise data challenges, the importance of a strong product identity, and strategies for early-stage startups during fundraising season.

(00:00) - Open
(00:53) - Q&A Session Kickoff
(01:14) - The data you gather is your roadmap
(14:03) - The gravity of slowing down in your startup
(21:20) - Your quarterly goal: Something Fundamentally Changes
(21:57) - Low Risk, Low Outcomes
(24:31) - Large Organizations and Mediocrity
(30:58) - When to steal a feature?

"Software should be soft" - Meter Command with Anil Varanasi

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 05:24:26 +0000

Join Fraser, Nabeel, and special guest Anil from Meter as they dive into the innovation behind Meter Command. Meter's new interface has been called the "future of software" and a far ranging interview talks about the problem of designing product around personas, how command interfaces bridge the gap between CLI and dashboards, the importance of owning your tech stack, how your data is your product roadmap, and the orientation to long term thinking while still staying on the cutting edge.

Links
* See a demo of Meter Command
* There's a lot of fine work from Bret Victor on visualization and interfaces, but here's one to get you started
* Geoffrey Litt's Malleable SW in the age of LLMs
* Hunter Walk's post on OKRs post his stint at Google

(00:00) - Intro
(00:19) - Meter Command and the future of software
(03:36) - What we forget about software making
(06:39) - Models make you reassess your own product
(07:27) - Why aren't there more AI explorations in software?
(09:38) - The "efficiency era" of startups
(13:21) - Software should be soft
(17:13) - The problem of "persona building" software
(21:29) - Enterprise software is reporting
(22:37) - Your data is your product roadmap
(25:13) - Emersing in the trends of AI as a founder
(27:27) - From janky prototype to custom model building
(29:55) - "No AI" - Build for the problem, not the technology
(36:50) - Full stack first, APIs over time
(40:14) - If you want to be early you have to be full stack
(48:28) - Long term orientation
(50:56) - What one thing would you work on now
(55:41) - End

The New Muse: Hobbyists and AI

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 19:45:34 +0000

How would you design an AI product differently for a hobbyist vs prosumer vs professional? Using MidJourney as a case study in the passion economy, they delve into how AI tools can help build communities and support semi-professional creators. They explore how these tools can democratize creativity, the role of art vs craft, the role of grit in skill building, cheating vs copiloting, the missing middle of the creative markets, and more. They also touch on the broader implications of AI in different creative fields from music, writing and podcasts. It's an exploration of how AI can help users maintain creative flow and the underserved opportunity for AI to help unleash the hobbyist.

Nabeel also spoke on Midjourney's unique growth loops on Unsolicited Feedback
Le Jin has great writing on the passion economy and wrote about the creative middle class
Linus has an excellent article on Epistemic calibration that touches on taste, that we didn't get in the episode but worth seeing.
Simply Drawing - ai feedback meets art
Robert Morris' the Power Broker, which touches briefly on the rise of the professionalized class
a little more on why bees wiggle outside of near-term evolutionary needs

00:00 Intro

00:52 AI in Creative Endeavors

01:58 Market Expansion

03:01 The underexplored customer in AI

08:23 Finding other AI hobbiest opportunities

11:31 If they AI made it, are we building skill?

13:36 Difference between art and craft

14:40 Homework Helpers vs Writing Copilots

16:07 Hobbiests are not quite the creator economy

17:47 Product for hobbists

21:03 The missing middle of creative markets

26:42 AI's potential in the education of craft

(00:00) - Intro
(00:52) - AI in Creative Endeavors
(02:00) - Market Expansion
(03:02) - The underexplored customer in AI
(08:25) - Finding other AI hobbiest opportunities
(11:32) - If they AI made it, are we building skill?
(13:38) - Difference between art and craft
(14:42) - Homework Helpers vs Writing Copilots
(16:09) - Hobbiests are not quite the creator economy
(17:49) - Product for hobbists
(21:04) - The missing middle of creative markets
(26:44) - AI's potential in the education of craft

Making product on the S curve of AI. Plus, Anthropic Artifacts

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 00:00:32 +0000

Fraser and Nabeel start by retcon'ing their earlier "maybe we should stop talking about models" and reflecting on the importance of adapting product strategy based how much disruption is happening in your market. The episode highlights the release of Claude Artifacts by Anthropic, and comparing it to other AI product innovations. They also nerd out on the Xbloom coffee machine and a robotic mop. Lastly, Fraser asks about how to navigate when a founder gets introduced to the wrong partner at a VC firm.

(00:00) - Product development early on the S curve, exploring Anthropic Artifacts
(00:43) - Welcome to Hallway Chat
(00:58) - Strong Convictions Loosely Held
(03:37) - Exploring Claude Artifacts
(10:48) - S Curve Product Design
(23:33) - The Instinct to Exhale: Post-Launch Reflections
(25:25) - Balancing Innovation and Stability
(27:00) - Leaning into risk
(32:30) - Question: Getting introd to the wrong partner at a VC

Granola, Designing AI for User Agency, and how to compete with $$$

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 20:53:58 +0000

Fraser and Nabeel dive into the evolving landscape of AI note-taking apps, focusing on a new product, Granola. They discuss Granola's unique approach of "enhancing your thought" instead of "thinking for you." They also explore: applying this idea to other categories, the influence of LLMs on UX, and the need for more experimental user workflows to unlock AI. They also discuss the challenges and dynamics of startup funding, the significance of capital in achieving market success, and how dynamics of AI team building are changing.

(00:00) - Introduction
(01:05) - Introducing Granola: The AI Note-Taking App
(02:19) - Granola's Unique Features and User Experience
(04:54) - Challenges and Innovations in AI Note-Taking
(06:53) - Granola's Practical Use Cases and Feedback
(09:54) - Reducing Friction in Product Experience
(13:04) - Where is the AI innovation?
(16:11) - The Role of Incentives in Innovation
(21:51) - When competitors raise 10x more than you
(23:11) - Introducing Granola: The AI Note-Taking App
(23:18) - Granola's Unique Features and User Experience
(24:35) - Challenges and Innovations in AI Note-Taking
(25:07) - Granola's Practical Use Cases and Feedback
(25:19) - Reducing Friction in Product Experience
(26:44) - Where is the AI innovation?
(27:12) - The Role of Incentives in Innovation
(27:59) - When competitors raise 10x more than you
(28:34) - Overcapitalization and Its Consequences
(29:21) - Customer-Centric Approach in Startups
(30:22) - How AI Startups are Building Teams Differently
(42:41) - Final Thoughts and Product Recommendations

Should we stop talking about models?

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Sun, 12 May 2024 05:48:05 +0000

Is it still worth it to discuss models when discussing startups? Nabeel and Fraser discuss how that may be the wrong question to ask in the current landscape, and why customer-centric questions and user experience should be the basis of product experience. Later, they deliberate who might come out on top in the “horse race” for AI product dominance, and whether it will come from a large, established company, or if the frontier of capabilities belongs to small innovators.

(00:00) - Decoding the Future: Puzzles vs. Mysteries in Tech
(01:22) - Welcome to Hallway Chat: Podcast or Tweets?
(01:35) - Exploring the Venture Firm USV's "Hallway Chat" Tweets
(02:27) - The atomization of media
(03:17) - Rethinking the Focus on AI Models in Startups
(04:38) - The Importance of Use Cases Over Models in AI Innovation
(07:45) - What makes a Foundational Model... Foundational
(18:23) - AI for Consumers: Navigating the S Curve of Innovation

Devin & the Autonomous Engineer Wave. Plus, .Com lessons as a model for today

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 23:31:34 +0000

What is the extent of autonomous coding engineer Devin’s ability to generate real, functional applications with little to no help? Nabeel and Fraser dive into the buzz about Cognition’s ‘Devin’, what makes it different, and the transformative potential of AI in software engineering, particularly focusing on autonomous coding software. Later, they get into the innovator's dilemma and the lessons the .com era can lend to this new time in AI.

(00:00) Intro

(01:23) The buzz about Cognition’s Devin

(07:44) What makes Devin different?

(12:19) Tolerance for time

(16:07) The interface of the future

(22:19) Innovating around the incumbent’s advantage

(25:30) Cutting edge products mean new user bases

(29:52) Netscape was the Open AI of the Mobile Revolution

(33:42) Optimism as the engine of capitalism

(37:56) The model is not the product

AI Models. Weighing the chances of commodity vs differentiation.

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 19:11:37 -0100

This week is a discussion of the points of differentiation vs commodification in various AI models. Including how these points might change over time, and might change between language, image, and video models. Then Fraser pivots to orienting around jobs to be done in AI, and how the various models have a huge gap between being capable of doing something, and doing it well.

We then talk about Claude 3, the nature of benchmarking, and the rapid dropping LLM prices. Lastly, we cover a startup subject, debating the merits of SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) vs. priced equity rounds in early-stage funding.

Links

Claude 3 from Anthropic
LMSys Chatbot Leaderboard for which models are sticking out right now
For areas where models don't differentiate, we are back to the 7 powers framework. Hamilton Helmer's website with overview of the 7 Powers framework: https://7powers.com/, Sachin Rekhi has a good detailed primer on the 7 Powers as well.
Carta guide on priced rounds vs SAFEs, which we don't really agree with all the pros and cons, but is a decent overview

(00:00) - Opening
(00:31) - Are models an inevitable commodity?
(05:58) - How image, video, and other models may pan out differently than language
(08:20) - It's not the model, it's the customer
(10:20) - Jobs to be done in AI - 1. Can it do it... 2. very well.. 3. exactly how I want it to.
(22:13) - Claude 3 by Anthropic
(25:25) - ELO Leaderboard Results
(26:25) - Claude 3 Haiku and Falling LLM Prices
(30:33) - SAFES vs priced equity rounds

Trailer

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 06:43:18 -0100

What is Hallway Chat anyway

(00:00) - Introduction and Podcast Naming

Making of Arc Search, and finding your AI product strategy with Josh Miller

Fraser Kelton, Nabeel Hyatt, Josh Miller — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:12:12 -0100

Josh Miller, Founder and CEO of The Browser Co, joins this week. We loved the experience with Arc Search, a new AI-enabled mobile search experience, we decided to talk to Josh directly about how it all came together.

Topics
* How Arc Search came to be spawned out of basically a side project
* The core value of "we don't know"
* How the key AI feature 'Browse for Me' was not the initial concept, but came to be added last minute
* Josh's initial skepticism about AI, up until just a few months ago, and what flipped him
* Three strategies for AI integration
* The perils of leading with consumer hooks, how that derailed Browser Co, and focusing on solving problems
* Should cost be a key consideration when developing AI?

Hope you enjoy us mixing it up this week by talking with someone wrestling with building in the space. Drop us a line on twitter at @nabeel and @fraser with what you want to hear more (or less) of.

(00:00) - Intro
(01:02) - Welcome Josh, CEO of The Browser Company
(02:51) - The origin of Arc Search
(05:12) - Browse For Me
(06:55) - Overview of Arc Search
(16:51) - Thinking about competition
(25:08) - User problems over elegant hooks
(29:25) - Three strategies for AI integration
(34:51) - The importance of prototyping
(40:28) - The future of desktop search
(46:01) - Thinking about costs when building with AI

Stages of Disruption: Adaptation, Evolution, or Revolution? Plus Email AI app Shortwave

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 18:42:33 -0100

Two former founders, now VCs, play with AI products and see where that leads...

Fraser and Nabeel discuss the differences between horizontal disruption and vertical market disruption and the patterns of the phases of this disruption in the mobile age. From Adaptation, to Evolution, and eventually Revolution. Next, they dive into AI email app Shortwave AI. This leads to a conversation around what AI models are optimizing for, and how speed and polish can sometimes be part of the baseline usability of a product.

They also explore the default Agent workflows we should be trying as we figure out the right knowledge worker AI copilot. Using the analogy of the history of web development and AI no code, from webflow to squarespace, what those design approaches might tell us about how AI workflow tools will develop.

Finally, we discuss the potential value of talking to VCs when you're not raising, and the perils of taking even good generalized advice all the time.

Topics
* Shortwave email
* Avi Goldfarb and his book Prediction Machines
* Avi also spoke with Patrick O'Shaughnessy
* Yahoo Pipes wikipedia page, or see Retool's amazing history of Pipes

* TLdraw's Makereal

(00:00) - Intro
(00:32) - "AI Week" at Startups
(02:43) - Is it Adaption, Evolution, or Revolution
(05:23) - Shortwave AI - Adapting email to AI
(08:07) - Familiar but personalized
(11:09) - Speed is a feature too
(15:51) - Taking users on a behavior change journey
(18:37) - What are Agent workflows we should default to
(26:04) - TLdraw & Notion, over Pipes, as the core UX for AI
(29:43) - TLDraw as metaphor for "show me the output" application building
(31:13) - History of Web Development as analogy for AI no code
(33:37) - Is it worth talking to VCs when you aren't raising
(43:24) - Building relationships, Bizdev vs Sales

Best of the Voice Note Apps, Three Layers of AI Coding & A Wishlist of Products

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 06:26:00 -0100

Reviewing voice note transcription apps, from WaveAI to Audiopen and ChatGPT. Then Fraser and Nabeel take stock of various ways AI coding is affecting software development, from Co-Pilots to "mealeable software development" and No-Code AI. Lastly, the hosts talk through a wish list of products they'd love to see this year.

Topics:
- Slowed Pace of AI Product Launches
- Wave AI app, and what to look for in voice notes transcription
- Current state of AI-enabled software tools
- Potential impact of AI on software development workflows
- What is the AI native storytelling medium
- The AI todo list partner
- Coding as a liberal art
- User input layer and direct feedback in AI-enabled tools

References:
- Wave AI
- Meable Software in the age of LLMs
- Zapier AI
- Replit

(00:00) -
(01:39) - Wave AI
(06:29) - Adapting Behavior to Leverage AI Products
(12:54) - AI Enabled Software Development
(13:46) - Infinitely Adaptable UIs via AI
(18:31) - Zapier ++
(20:51) - AI Enabled Software Engineers
(31:31) - Different Products Across Each Layer
(34:48) - AI Products We'd Like to See in 2024

Developments in Prompting, Making Sense of AI Hardware Gadgetpalooza & trying SunoAI music creation

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 16:31:12 -0100

Fraser and Nabeel discuss the onslaught of AI hardware launches, exploring the potential factors behind this shift. They also discuss the importance of designing not by listening to your customer but by understanding the customer. The duo also discuss the importance and challenges surrounding 'prompt engineering' vs prompt writing, using BARD, SunoAI and Perplexity as case examples. They cover the layoffs in tech startups, examining the tension between growth and profitability and the potential drawbacks of a too-aggressive cost-cutting focus. Finally, they delve into the potential of AI in generating music, trying SunoAI.

Links:
- OpenAI Prompt Engineering guide
- Rabbit - new AI hardware companion
- Snipd - Podcast player
- Remarkable - Dedicated tablet for note writing
- SunoAI - AI music creation

(00:00) - Designing AI Hardware, Prompt engineering vs prompt writing, Suno AI
(00:47) - The era of AI hardware?
(01:28) - Why it's the right time for AI Hardware startups
(06:34) - YouTube, and building on top of another platform
(08:37) - Is AI Hardware destined to be a phone appendage?
(10:58) - Nobs, dials, and the joy of tactile
(11:38) - The GPT Store: Should founders care?
(17:57) - New year starts with a thud, layoffs
(19:52) - How founders can pitch taking risk in 2024
(23:12) - Prompt Engineering Lives On
(24:48) - Snipd's Summaries
(27:37) - When do you use prompts vs your roll your own model
(33:21) - My model vs yours, it depends on the goal
(35:11) - Consumer Web Agents
(37:25) - The problem isn't Actions, it's Context
(43:25) - Exploring Bard and Gemini Pro
(46:59) - Perplexity, Search and Synthesize
(49:23) - Prompt Engineering vs Prompt Writing
(52:32) - Suno AI
(54:44) - What products lend themselves to Discord communities
(56:25) - Live test of Suno AI

Building entropically, Gemini, Prompt engineerings revenge, and Superpowered

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 16:30:56 -0100

Nabeel and Fraser briefly discuss Google's new AI model, Gemini, and keeping authenticity in startup pitches. They discuss the perils of trying to simplify when technology is lending towards complexity. How to stay authentic to yourself when pitching and fundraising. The new findings of Claude prompting, and the likely continued need for prompt engineering. Finally, they talk about the startup SuperPowered, its potential pivot, and how passion for problem-solving can impact a company's direction.

* Google Gemini's excellent product video "demo"
* History of Razorfish
* Claude 2.1 Prompting Technique
* AI Meeting notes from Superpowered.me

(00:00) - Building when entropy is increasing
(01:00) - Introduction and Welcome
(01:15) - Discussing the Frequency of AI Developments
(01:45) - Google's AI Developments and the Gemini Team
(02:19) - Explaining Gemini and its Significance
(05:04) - Analyzing Google Gemini from afar
(18:02) - You are 5 words away from being done
(27:00) - The analogy of the early web vs early LLMs
(30:05) - Do we need the Razorfish of AI
(33:27) - The Future of AI Tools and Platforms
(34:11) - The Importance of Implementation Engineers in AI
(35:54) - Are we in an entropic or de-entropy phase?
(37:57) - The Importance of Authenticity in Marketing
(38:53) - Founders just being real
(47:28) - How would you fundraise differently now?
(50:15) - Superpowered.me and AI Note Taking Startups

Launch stories of ChatGPT

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Sat, 02 Dec 2023 21:04:24 -0100

Nabeel gets to ask Fraser for reflections on the development of ChatGPT on the one-year anniversary. They talk about the intersection of product managers and AI researchers, how ChatGPT came to be on the roadmap, how the team came to be formed, and the difference between polish & overengineering. They then discuss the recent explosion of real-time AI painting applications, the divide between text-based UIs and GUIs in AI products, and redesigning new creative arts at the intersections of art, realtime, and play.

* Aliisa on the night of ChatGPT's launch
* Martin Nebelong's Realtime painting experiements
* Fastlane.AI Painting
* Kepano - Photoshop for text

(00:00) - Introduction
(00:46) - Quotes from the ChatGPT 1 year anniversary
(07:19) - Lessons from ChatGPT development
(08:55) - It's not a happy accident
(09:36) - The Birth of the AI Assistant
(10:12) - Forming the ChatGPT team
(19:15) - Differences between polish & overengineering
(23:47) - Realtime AI Painting
(25:47) - GUIs make it easier, so prompts can get harder
(32:35) - Twitch meets the creative arts?

Three patterns of LLM product development

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 19:17:35 -0100

The conversation kicks off with the surprising news of Sam Altman’s departure from OpenAI. Nabeel and Fraser then discuss the ‘crazy week’ of product releases, demystifying the complexity and impact of AI in various workflows. They spotlight AI startup Lindy, review My GPTS, and early impressions of the product Dot, an AI-driven guide in daily life. The duo categorizes AI developments into three ‘buckets’: lead bullet strategy, a universal translator bucket, and inventing new behaviors.

(00:00) - The three types of LLM products
(02:07) - Exploring Lindy
(08:21) - GPTs
(15:52) - Frameworks for AI Product Development
(20:21) - Dot: Your Guide in Life
(26:07) - Revisiting Categorization
(29:45) - Patience in Innovation

My GPTs, and avoiding the OpenAI tidal wave as a founder

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 16:06:16 -0100

In this conversation, discussions revolve around the recent OpenAI Dev Day, the Reflect note taking app, and how founders should internalize the "threat" and partnership opportunities with OpenAI. Fraser & Nabeel discuss that it's still "fart app and flashlight" early days for developers to truly utilize the capabilities of technologies like ChatGPT. The conversation then shifts to Reflect, a note-taking app that utilises AI to optimise features like speech-to-text and backlinking. The speakers debate whether one company can excel in both consumer-facing products and developer platforms, highlighting how OpenAI is in a unique position to potentially 'run the table' across various booming markets.

(00:00) - Are My GPTs an app store or chrome store?
(01:00) - Open AI Dev Day
(01:33) - Exploring MyGPTs
(08:44) - Difficulty and Promise of App Stores
(11:28) - Surprises of the first year since Chat GPT
(14:14) - Investor influence on founders
(19:36) - Coming to terms with the AI fog of war as a founder
(21:54) - Exploring Reflect: A New Note-Taking App
(26:45) - Will OpenAI be able to be consumer & enterprise?

When do AI startups have advantage over incumbents?

Fraser Kelton & Nabeel Hyatt — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 07:42:09 -0100

Fraser & Nabeel get things up and running again at Hallway Chat. How AI is changing search engines, comparing Perplexity with Google, and what just goes to ChatGPT & Claude. "Shipping your org chat". Debating Sam Lessin's recent "State of Venture Capital" and whether AI in startups is just magical thinking. The app of the week: Snipd, an AI podcast player

Subscribe for new episodes every week.
Follow us on Twitter @nabeel | @fraser

Hallway Chat, #32 - Creating a middle class Creator Economy, Apple & service-based software, the PS5 and why we play games

Bijan Sabet & Nabeel Hyatt — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 11:38:02 -0100

Hey ya'll. In todays show we discuss Apple and service-based software releasing, the PS5 and why we play games, creating a middle class Creator Economy, blogging in 2021 and finding your voice on the internet, being a VC only in up times. It's our first episode of the new year, Nabeel and Bijan are joined by our new Spark colleague, Brian Watson!

Hallway Chat, #31 - Investing during a pandemic (ie 2020 vs 2019), hot takes about remote work

Bijan Sabet & Nabeel Hyatt — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 12:47:01 +0000

We are back with a long overdue edition of Hallway Chat. Todays episode, Bijan and Nabeel discuss: investing during a pandemic (ie 2020 vs 2019), how we are working from home (technology and schedule), some likely controversial thoughts about remote work, AirPods woes, and a few memorable moments at Postmates. Thanks for listening and as always tweet us with comments/questions/suggestions.

Hallway Chat, #30 - Is VC pattern recognition actually valuable, the challenge of "winner takes all" dogma

Bijan Sabet & Nabeel Hyatt — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 13:01:29 +0000

After a one year-ish break, Nabeel and Bijan are back with a shiny new episode! In this pod, we chat about things on our minds lately including, is VC pattern recognition actually valuable, what does the decline of the iPhone mean to Apple's future, the potential for single purpose electronics, and challenging the dogma of "winner takes all" markets in startups.

Hallway Chat, #29 - Bitcoin, tech morality, startup hard decisions and the iMac Pro

Bijan Sabet & Nabeel Hyatt — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 15:54:24 -0100

A podcast by Bijan Sabet and Nabeel Hyatt, partners at Spark Capital. Recorded: December 13, 2017: Show summary: Bitcoin Frenzy, Tech company morality, the iMac Pro, and startup hard decisions

Hallway Chat, #29 - The VC "Sh*t Show" and consumer apps

Bijan Sabet & Nabeel Hyatt — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 13:42:29 -0100

Another episode of Hallway Chat. Bijan and Nabeel. Recorded November 16, 2017. Show notes: - iPhone X, including new apps - Musical.ly’s exit and the notion that “mobile consumer is dead” - The changes in the VC landscape, from the moral awakening to the explosion of seeds - Eugene Wei’s blog post on Amazon and analytics - Gadget gifts: Rylo, Molekule, Aura

Hallway Chat, #28 - Mastering scale, Google I/O and judging "what's worth making a startup"

Bijan Sabet & Nabeel Hyatt — Fri, 19 May 2017 14:23:40 +0000

5/19/2017: Hey, we're back with another episode of Hallway Chat. Show notes: Clay Bavor's Virtual & Augmented Realities http://bit.ly/2pNfVra Reid Hoffman's Masters of Scale podcast https://mastersofscale.com/ Tim O'Reilly's response to Masters of Scale https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/some-businesses-bleed-black-tim-o-reilly Google's ongoing tranformation into an AI company, as evidenced in Google I/O, Google Photos, and elsewhere (along with my ongoing disbelief that Nabeel uses Apple Maps) Competing, from copying to net neutrality

Hallway Chat, #27 - Future of work & the moral awakening of Silicon Valley

Bijan Sabet & Nabeel Hyatt — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 15:59:01 -0100

Recorded 2/10/17. Summary: Nabeel and Bijan discuss a few favorite new apps, some thoughts about current American politics & the moral awakening of Silicon Valley, Related links: Teuxdeux: https://teuxdeux.com/ 10% Happier: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/meditation-for-fidgety-skeptics/id992210239?mt=8 Anil Dash: Tech Moral Reckoning: http://onbeing.org/programs/anil-dash-techs-moral-reckoning/

Hallway Chat, #26 - w/Kevin Thau - Apple

Bijan Sabet & Nabeel Hyatt — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 13:56:38 -0100

Hi everyone! @nabeel and @bijan are back with a new podcast to kick off the new year. This episode of Hallway Chat, we are joined by our fellow Spark partner Kevin Thau (@kevinthau). We talked about the new Apple Airpods, Apple vs Google apps for iOS, Bijan's beef with mail apps for iOS, Nabeel's crazy love affair with Apple Maps, Voice assistants (Echo, Siri, Google Home).

Hallway Chat, #25

Bijan Sabet & Nabeel Hyatt — Thu, 19 May 2016 02:27:02 +0000

Nabeel and Bijan discussed Google I/O 2016 and some thoughts about all the choices developers have to consider in a world with so many different platforms.

Hallway Chat, #24 - Cruise, Nest, what it takes to keep innovating

Bijan Sabet & Nabeel Hyatt — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 13:06:01 +0000

Another episode of Hallway Chat with @nabeel and @bijan Topics: how the Tesla 3 has presold so much, Cruise and navigating the new rush of autonomous driving startups, Nest/Echo and what it takes to keep innovating, Snapchat’s social trajectory, and the march towards replacing MacOS with iOS. Please tweet us your questions & suggestions! Thanks so much for listening.

Hallway Chat, #23 - with Fred Wilson

Bijan Sabet & Nabeel Hyatt — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 15:20:15 -0100

A podcast by Bijan Sabet and Nabeel Hyatt, partners at Spark Capital. In todays show, we were joined by special guest and our friend, Fred Wilson.

Show notes:
-questions from Twitter, including how Fred started investing in social media, & YC's recent move to recommend exercising options from 90 days to 10 years
-Fred's post, "The New Entertainment Bundlers"
-Chris Dixon's, "What's Next In Computing?"
-Why haven't we seen a new breakout consumer app
-AI
-Steph Curry vs Michael Jordan