Another Crazy Day in AI: The Venture Capitalist's Guide to Navigating Disruption
- Wowza Team
- Sep 23
- 4 min read
Hello, AI Enthusiasts.
Hope the week’s been kind to you so far.
Some say the future is arriving fast. Others, like one tech leader, argue we’re still just scratching the surface... and the real impact may not be seen for decades.
At the same time, fresh numbers out of MIT suggest billions in AI investments still aren’t translating into real returns.
The spreadsheets might not add up yet, but on the couch, AI is getting a new role as your binge-watching (and homework-helping) buddy. Google TV is getting a conversational boost from Gemini.
Here's another crazy day in AI:
Why we're still in the early innings of the revolution
Business leaders lean on tech leaders for AI guidance
Google TV adds Gemini for smarter entertainment
Some AI tools to try out
TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Horowitz on Technology Cycles and Leadership
Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)
What if the real impact of today’s emerging technologies is still decades away from being understood?
Ben Horowitz, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, explored this question during a conversation at Columbia Business School's Silfen Leadership Series with Dean Costis Magalaras. Drawing from his experience investing in technology startups over the past 15 years, Horowitz presented his view that current technological developments represent early stages of much longer cycles of change. The discussion, captured by Jonathan Sperling for Columbia Business Insights, touched on leadership challenges, competitive strategy, and organizational culture during periods of technological uncertainty.
Main points from the conversation include:
Technology transformation takes decades - Horowitz stressed that meaningful change from new technologies typically unfolds over much longer periods than most people anticipate, with the biggest impacts often emerging years or even decades after initial development
Indirect applications create the most value - He used the example of spreadsheets enabling the entire private equity industry to illustrate how technologies often find their most important uses in completely unexpected areas
Open development serves competitive interests better - Horowitz argued that allowing broad access to technological innovation produces better outcomes than trying to maintain secrecy or restrict participation
Organizational culture lives in specific behaviors - He emphasized that effective workplace culture comes from particular actions and policies rather than general principles, citing a16z's practice of fining partners who arrive late to entrepreneur meetings
Current adoption patterns show enhancement over replacement - Early examples from creative industries suggest that professionals are finding ways to expand their capabilities using new tools rather than being eliminated
Supporting technologies develop alongside main innovations - Horowitz noted that infrastructure like blockchain may become necessary for digital verification and transactions as automated systems require new forms of authentication
Management approaches need adjustment for specialists - He observed that leading people in domains where you lack expertise requires focus on direction-setting rather than detailed coaching
The broader takeaway from this conversation is that the real outcomes of emerging technologies are difficult to forecast in the present moment. While early applications are visible in certain industries, the most consequential developments may arise gradually, in ways that extend far beyond today’s discussions. Historical patterns suggest that what begins as a tool for one purpose can later support entirely new kinds of work, often reshaping industries in ways that cannot be anticipated.
The role of openness adds another layer to the debate. Horowitz emphasized that open-source approaches and broad participation may create advantages for innovation and cultural influence. At the same time, this raises ongoing questions about how openness should be balanced with issues of security, competitiveness, and national strategy. Different paths may result in different outcomes, both for companies and for countries seeking to guide technological development.
Perhaps most enduring is the focus on leadership and culture. Technology can advance rapidly, but organizations respond through the systems of behavior and accountability they put in place. For leaders, this means recognizing that while tools and trends may change, building organizations that can adapt over the long term depends on practices that are clear, consistent, and meaningful. The discussion encourages a wider view: one that considers not only where technology is headed but also how people and institutions prepare to engage with it over time.
Read the full article here.
Watch the conversation here.
OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:
Business Leaders Lean on Tech Leaders for AI Guidance
/SAP, Matthew Grant (Senior Writer, SAP LeanIX and SAP Signavio), on Forbes
Despite billions poured into AI, most firms still struggle to see real returns — with MIT reporting that 95% of companies have gained no measurable ROI. The gap isn’t slowing investment, though; instead, businesses are looking to technology leaders for guidance on governance, risk, and value creation. CIOs, CTOs, and enterprise architects are increasingly tasked with balancing innovation with guardrails, ensuring AI projects deliver outcomes while protecting data and infrastructure. The message is clear: without strategic leadership, AI risks become costly detours rather than competitive advantages.
Read more here.
Google TV Adds Gemini for Smarter Entertainment
/Shalini GovilPai (VP, Google TV), on Google Blogs – The Keyword
Google is bringing Gemini to the biggest screen in the home: the TV. With conversational AI built into Google TV, users can ask open-ended questions, get tailored show recommendations, catch up on storylines, or even get homework help — all directly on their screen. Beyond entertainment, Gemini adds practical uses like learning new skills or cooking guidance, making the TV more of a home hub for answers and creativity. The rollout starts with TCL’s QM9K series, with more devices joining later this year.
Read more here.
SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:
That’s a wrap on today’s Almost Daily craziness.
Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉
EXCITING NEWS:
The Another Crazy Day in AI newsletter is on LinkedIn!!!
Leveraging AI for Enhanced Content: As part of our commitment to exploring new technologies, we used AI to help curate and refine our newsletters. This enriches our content and keeps us at the forefront of digital innovation, ensuring you stay informed with the latest trends and developments.
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