The a16z Podcast discusses tech and culture trends, news, and the future – especially as ‘software eats the world’. It features industry experts, business leaders, and other interesting thinkers and voices from around the world. This podcast is produced by Andreessen Horowitz (aka “a16z”), a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm. Multiple episodes are released every week; visit a16z.com for more details and to sign up for our newsletters and other content as well!
In this episode of ‘This Week in Consumer’, a16z General Partners Anish Acharya and Erik Torenberg are joined by Steven Sinofsky - Board Partner at a16z and former President of Microsoft’s Windows division - for a deep dive on how today’s AI moment mirrors (and diverges from) past computing transitions. They explore whether we’re at the “Windows 3.1” stage of AI or still in the earliest innings, why consumer adoption is outpacing developer readiness, and how frameworks like partial autonomy, jag...
What if virality wasn’t a tactic — but the entire product? In this episode, a16z General Partners Erik Torenberg and Bryan Kim sit down with Roy Lee, cofounder and CEO of Cluely, one of the most talked-about consumer AI startups of 2025. Cluely didn’t raise a mega round or drop a feature suite to get traction - it broke through by turning distribution into design: launching viral short-form videos, pushing polarizing product drops, and building in public with speed and spectacle. We cover: – Why...
In this episode, general partner Chris Dixon joins economist and author Tyler Cowen to explore the themes behind Chris’s book, Read, Write, Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet. They trace the internet’s evolution from open, decentralized beginnings to today’s consolidated platforms—and ask: how can we build something better? From stablecoins, tokenized payments, and open blockchains to AI's impact on coding, media, and politics, this wide-ranging conversation dives deep into how technolog...
In this episode, a16z general partner Bryan Kim joins TBPN hosts John Coogan and Jordi Hays to discuss the recent launch of Cluely , a consumer AI product. The conversation covers early traction, evaluating distribution and momentum, and how investors assess go-to-market strategies in emerging AI applications. Resources: Find Bryan on X: https://x.com/kirbyman01 Watch TBPN: https://www.tbpn.com/ Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: http...
How is AI actually being used in classrooms today? Are teachers adopting it, or resisting it? And could software eventually replace traditional instruction entirely? In this episode of This Week in Consumer AI, a16z partners Justine Moore, Olivia Moore, and Zach Cohen explore one of the most rapidly evolving — and widely debated — frontiers in consumer technology: education. They unpack how generative AI is already reshaping educational workflows, enabling teachers to scale feedback, personalize...
What if the rise of Apple also built modern China? a16z’s Erik Torenberg is joined by board partner and former Microsoft Windows chief Steven Sinofsky to unpack how Apple’s pursuit of design excellence and supply chain scale catalyzed China’s manufacturing superpower status - and why that partnership is now under intense scrutiny. Inspired by the book Apple in China (but not a book review), the episode dives deep into: The early days of Apple’s shift to Chinese manufacturing What experts got wro...
Adam Neumann joins Ben Horowitz and Marc Andreessen to explore his life's focus on community and belonging, tracing it from his childhood through WeWork's challenges and his new venture, Flow. They discuss Flow's vertically integrated model, its technology-driven approach to residential living, and its expansion into international markets like Saudi Arabia, highlighting its potential to transform real estate and address the modern housing crisis.
Justine and Olivia Moore break down the latest in consumer AI, covering Google's groundbreaking Veo 3 video model and OpenAI's more human-like ChatGPT voice updates. They also discuss Apple's AI strategy, Eleven Labs' expressive new voice model, and share new a16z data showing consumer AI startups are growing revenue faster than ever. Finally, they demo using AI tools to build a prototype brand.
Marc Andreessen and Jack Altman discuss the evolution of venture capital, from small seed funds to large barbell strategies. They explore the shift from tool-building startups to full-stack companies replacing entire industries, the power law dynamics governing venture returns, and the critical importance of avoiding errors of omission. The conversation also delves into AI as the next major computing platform, its geopolitical implications, the changing relationship between tech, government, and media, and the societal phenomenon of preference falsification.
What if crypto isn’t just a speculative asset class—but the next foundational layer of the internet? In this episode, Chris Dixon, founding partner of a16z crypto and one of the earliest, most forward-thinking investors in the space, joins TBPN for a wide-ranging conversation on the real, long-term promise of crypto—and why we're still early. He unpacks: Why stablecoins are already functioning as internet-native money How blockchains can serve as global, programmable financial infrastructure Why...
In this episode, a16z General Partner Erik Torenberg is joined by the a16z Consumer team—General Partner Anish Acharya and Partners Olivia Moore, Justine Moore, and Bryan Kim—for a conversation on the current state (and future) of consumer tech. They unpack why it feels like breakout consumer apps have slowed down, how AI is changing the game, and what might define the next era of products. Topics include: The rise of AI-native consumer tools and companion apps Why users are now spending $200+/m...
What if the next leap in artificial intelligence isn’t about better language—but better understanding of space? In this episode, a16z General Partner Erik Torenberg moderates a conversation with Fei-Fei Li, cofounder and CEO of World Labs, and a16z General Partner Martin Casado, an early investor in the company. Together, they dive into the concept of world models—AI systems that can understand and reason about the 3D, physical world, not just generate text. Often called the “godmother of AI,” F...
Marc Andreessen reflects on building a16z from scratch during the 2008 crisis, sharing insights on the firm's evolution and strategy. He discusses the shift to multi-stage, vertical investing, the changing tech landscape, and adapting to scale. The conversation also covers policy engagement, differentiating 'little tech' from 'big tech', and the evolving relationship between the tech industry and government.
What happens when two of the biggest tech waves—AI and crypto—start to converge? In this LP Summit conversation, a16z General Partners Chris Dixon and David George explore how stablecoins are creating a new global financial layer, why generative AI is reshaping market structures, and how the next tech giants will be built. From network effects to native AI business models, this is a sharp look at the future of innovation and investing. Resources: Find Chris on X: https://x.com/cdixon Find David ...
In this episode a16z co-founders Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz sit down with legendary music producer and bestselling author Rick Rubin to explore the origin of his unexpected new creation: "The Way of Code"* Blending ancient philosophy and modern AI, The Way of Code reimagines the 3,000-year-old Tao Te Ching for the age of artificial intelligence, software, and “vibe coding.” What began as a viral tweet quickly evolved into a creative manifesto—part book, part tool, part spiritual operating ...
AI’s breakout moment is here - but where is the real value accruing, and what’s just hype? Recorded live at a16z’s annual LP Summit, General Partners Erik Torenberg, Martin Casado, and Sarah Wang unpack the current state of play in AI. From the myth of the GPT wrapper to the rapid rise of apps like Cursor, the conversation explores where defensibility is emerging, how platform shifts mirror (and diverge from) past tech cycles, and why the zero-sum mindset falls short in today’s AI landscape. The...
What happens when AI stops being just infrastructure—and becomes a matter of national identity and global power? In this episode, a16z’s Anjney Midha and Guido Appenzeller explore the rise of sovereign AI—the idea that countries must own their own AI models, data centers, and value systems. From Saudi Arabia’s $100B+ AI ambitions to the cultural stakes of model alignment, we examine: Why nations are building local “AI factories” instead of relying on U.S. cloud providers How foundation models ar...
What exactly is an AI agent — and does anyone actually agree? In this episode, taken from of AI + a16z , General Partner Guido Appenzeller and partners Matt Bornstein and Yoko Li break down one of the most hyped- and most hotly debated 0 concepts in AI right now: agents. Are agents just clever wrappers around LLMs? Tools that can reason and act? Or simply a fresh label for familiar tech? Whether you're building, investing, or just trying to make sense of the buzz, this episode is for you. Resour...
Recorded live at the 2025 a16z LP Summit, this episode is a candid conversation between a16z cofounders Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz—hosted by general partner Erik Torenberg. They cover the evolution of a16z from startup firm to multi-practice platform, how the media landscape is shaped by meme-speed narratives, why reorgs—not just returns—determine who wins, and what it takes to build an enduring venture franchise. They also share thoughts on the changing policy landscape for AI and crypto,...
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) is a $300 billion industry powering the back- and front-office operations of the world’s largest companies. In her article, "Unbundling the BPO: How AI Will Disrupt Outsourced Work," Kimberly Tan (Partner, a16z) explores how the rise of AI is challenging the status quo. In this episode, Kimberly unpacks the shift—from call centers and invoice processing to cross-system automation and coding agents. They explore how AI is redefining the economics of scale, unloc...
Marc Andreessen discusses the AI era, drawing parallels and distinctions from the dot-com boom, emphasizing the importance of open-source AI and American dynamism. He touches on venture capital's evolution, A16Z's role, and offers advice for future entrepreneurs, highlighting quality and adaptability. The episode also explores the responsibility of venture capitalists and A16Z's brand evolution.
Dr. Eric Topol discusses preventive healthcare and longevity science, emphasizing the importance of understanding the biology of aging to prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative conditions. He covers AI-powered risk prediction, organ clocks, and lifestyle changes to promote healthspan, advocating for a shift from a "sick care" system to one focused on precision prevention. The conversation explores the potential of data, personalized medicine, and AI to extend healthy years and make these benefits accessible to everyone.
In this episode of th a16z Podcast, we’re sharing Katherine Boyle’s recent interview on TBPN. Katherine—General Partner at a16z and the architect of the American Dynamism thesis—joins hosts John Coogan and Jordi Hays to discuss the state of the movement today. They cover the Department of Defense’s sweeping reform efforts, the role of startups in national security, and why American Dynamism is just getting started. From procurement reform to reindustrialization, this wide-ranging conversation ex...
Your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) is the essential guide for scaling companies, serving as the 'central nervous system' for go-to-market and product strategy. This episode explores why many growth-stage founders misunderstand their ICP despite early success and details how misalignment causes widespread issues from sales to product. Experts discuss defining, refining, and operationalizing your ICP, distinguishing it from segmentation and personas, and how AI is poised to transform this critical process.
Today’s critical infrastructure—air traffic, logistics, defense—is powered by legacy software. And that’s a problem. In this episode, recorded live at the a16z American Dynamism Summit, a16z partner Leila Hay sits down with Phillip Buckendorf, CEO of Air Space Intelligence, and Lt. Gen. Leonard J. Kosinski (Ret.), ASI’s Chief Strategy Officer and former Director for Logistics on the Joint Staff for the Pentagon. They explore why software is now a weapon system, how dual-use tech can harden both ...
Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth discusses the future of consumer technology beyond smartphones, focusing on AI-powered interfaces and augmented reality. He explores how AI can revolutionize computing experiences, the challenges of building new hardware and interaction models, and the potential for AI to invert the traditional app model. Bosworth also addresses the risks of adoption, regulatory hurdles, and Meta's commitment to open-source AI development.
In today’s world, the battlefield extends far beyond war zones—it’s embedded in our tech stacks, supply chains, and airspace security systems. So who better to solve these modern challenges than those who’ve served on the front lines? Recorded live at the third annual American Dynamism Summit in Washington D.C., this episode features a16z’s Matt Shortal—a veteran himself—moderating a conversation with three founders who transitioned from military service to building cutting-edge defense startups...
War has always been shaped by technology—from steel and gunpowder to GPS and nuclear weapons. But the decisive technologies of tomorrow aren’t coming—they’re already here. In this episode, recorded live at our third annual American Dynamism Summit, a16z’s Senior National Security Advisor Matt Cronin sits down with Ryan Tseng (cofounder & CEO, Shield AI) and Adam Bry (cofounder & CEO, Skydio) to discuss the rise of autonomous drones, AI-driven warfare, and the escalating great power compe...
When people think about startups working with the government, the phrase “black box” often comes up. But what if that box is finally being pried open? In this episode—recorded live at the American Dynamism Summit in DC—we talk with two Chief Technology Officers at the heart of American defense: Alex Miller, CTO for the Chief of Staff of the Army, and Justin Fanelli, CTO at the Department of the Navy. Along with a16z partner Leila Hay, they break down how the Department of Defense is shifting fro...
This month, a16z’s Consumer team released the fourth edition of the GenAI 100 — a data-driven ranking of the top 50 AI-first web products and mobile apps, based on unique monthly visits and active users. In just six months, the consumer AI landscape has shifted dramatically. Some products surged ahead, others plateaued, and a few unexpected players reshaped the leaderboard entirely. In this episode, a16z General Partner Anish Acharya and Partner Olivia Moore join us to unpack the latest rankings...
