62 min listen
E9: Benedict Evans on AI, Web3, VR and the Future of Tech
E9: Benedict Evans on AI, Web3, VR and the Future of Tech
ratings:
Length:
84 minutes
Released:
May 19, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
Erik sits down with independent analyst Benedict Evans for a wide-ranging discussion of predictions and frameworks spanning the vast realm of technology - where we’ve been, where we’re going, and what really matters. AI scout and podcast host Nathan Labenz (The Cognitive Revolution) joins for the last 20 minutes to deepen the discussion on AI.
RECOMMENDED SHOWS:
The Cognitive Revolution: https://link.chtbl.com/TheCognitiveRevolution
Moment of Zen: https://link.chtbl.com/moz
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Episode preview
(01:47) Benedict’s annual presentations and frameworks for “the next thing”
(07:00) Are Netflix and Tesla tech companies?
(12:59) Why hasn’t software ‘eaten’ certain industries and fields?
(14:47) Sponsors: Secureframe | Mercury | MarketerHire
(18:30) Preconditions for predictions
(24:30) Overhyped/underappreciated aspects of Web3 and Crypto
(28:25) Blockchain, and Benedict’s prediction for decentralization
(34:00) Building the next Twitter
(43:33) Predictions for metaverse and VR
(49:52) Consumer surplus and business models
(51:37) AI predictions
(55:22) Opportunities in AI
(1:01:58) Bundling and unbundling lens on AI
(1:06:35) Future of jobs
(1:15:00) Predictions for Benedict’s next presentation
LINKS:
Presentations: https://www.ben-evans.com/
Book recommendation: Reminiscences of a Stock Operator by Edwin Lefèvre
https://www.amazon.com/Reminiscences-Stock-Operator-Edwin-Lef%25C3%25A8vre/dp/0471059684#:~:text=First%2520published%2520in%25201923%252C%2520Reminiscences%2520of%2520a%2520Stock%2520Operator%2520is,recommended%2520investment%2520book%2520ever%2520written?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=turpentine-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=19fa33d3202c6df062385946b9ec3743&camp=1789&creative=9325
TWITTER:
Erik’s Twitter: @eriktorenberg
Benedict’s Twitter:@benedictevans
Please support our sponsors: Secureframe | Mercury | MarketerHire
- Secureframe: https://secureframe.com/
Secureframe is the leading all-in-one platform for security and privacy compliance. Get SOC-2 audit ready in weeks, not months. I believe in Secureframe so much that I invested in it, and I recommend it to all my portfolio companies. Sign up for a free demo and mention UPSTREAM during your demo to get 20% off your first year. Secureframe has just released Secureframe Trust, a new product that lets you showcase your organization's security posture to build customer trust.
- Mercury: https://mercury.com/
Now more than ever, startup founders need a safe place to put their cash. Mercury protects your money and also provides the streamlined user experience that great founders expect through partner banks and their sweep networks. Mercury offers up to $5 million in FDIC insurance, which is 20 times the per-bank limit. They also make it easy to invest any cash above the FDIC-insured amount in a money market fund, a hundred thousand startups trust Mercury with their finances. I've been a happy Mercury customer and have found their team incredibly helpful and responsive. Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Choice Financial Group and involve bank and trust members FDIC.
- MarketerHire: https://marketerhire.com/upstream
MarketerHire is one of my favorite resources for growing startups looking to hire marketers. With 1000s of pre-vetted marketers across a dozen roles, whether you need help with growth, marketing, SEO, lifecycle, content, or any other aspect of growth marketing strategy. Over 5,000 companies already use MarketerHire to hire expert marketers on demand, ranging from top venture-backed startups to the most well-known Fortune 500s.
Go to marketerhire.com/upstream and use code UPSTREAM to get your $1,000 credit for your first hire.
RECOMMENDED SHOWS:
The Cognitive Revolution: https://link.chtbl.com/TheCognitiveRevolution
Moment of Zen: https://link.chtbl.com/moz
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Episode preview
(01:47) Benedict’s annual presentations and frameworks for “the next thing”
(07:00) Are Netflix and Tesla tech companies?
(12:59) Why hasn’t software ‘eaten’ certain industries and fields?
(14:47) Sponsors: Secureframe | Mercury | MarketerHire
(18:30) Preconditions for predictions
(24:30) Overhyped/underappreciated aspects of Web3 and Crypto
(28:25) Blockchain, and Benedict’s prediction for decentralization
(34:00) Building the next Twitter
(43:33) Predictions for metaverse and VR
(49:52) Consumer surplus and business models
(51:37) AI predictions
(55:22) Opportunities in AI
(1:01:58) Bundling and unbundling lens on AI
(1:06:35) Future of jobs
(1:15:00) Predictions for Benedict’s next presentation
LINKS:
Presentations: https://www.ben-evans.com/
Book recommendation: Reminiscences of a Stock Operator by Edwin Lefèvre
https://www.amazon.com/Reminiscences-Stock-Operator-Edwin-Lef%25C3%25A8vre/dp/0471059684#:~:text=First%2520published%2520in%25201923%252C%2520Reminiscences%2520of%2520a%2520Stock%2520Operator%2520is,recommended%2520investment%2520book%2520ever%2520written?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=turpentine-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=19fa33d3202c6df062385946b9ec3743&camp=1789&creative=9325
TWITTER:
Erik’s Twitter: @eriktorenberg
Benedict’s Twitter:@benedictevans
Please support our sponsors: Secureframe | Mercury | MarketerHire
- Secureframe: https://secureframe.com/
Secureframe is the leading all-in-one platform for security and privacy compliance. Get SOC-2 audit ready in weeks, not months. I believe in Secureframe so much that I invested in it, and I recommend it to all my portfolio companies. Sign up for a free demo and mention UPSTREAM during your demo to get 20% off your first year. Secureframe has just released Secureframe Trust, a new product that lets you showcase your organization's security posture to build customer trust.
- Mercury: https://mercury.com/
Now more than ever, startup founders need a safe place to put their cash. Mercury protects your money and also provides the streamlined user experience that great founders expect through partner banks and their sweep networks. Mercury offers up to $5 million in FDIC insurance, which is 20 times the per-bank limit. They also make it easy to invest any cash above the FDIC-insured amount in a money market fund, a hundred thousand startups trust Mercury with their finances. I've been a happy Mercury customer and have found their team incredibly helpful and responsive. Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Choice Financial Group and involve bank and trust members FDIC.
- MarketerHire: https://marketerhire.com/upstream
MarketerHire is one of my favorite resources for growing startups looking to hire marketers. With 1000s of pre-vetted marketers across a dozen roles, whether you need help with growth, marketing, SEO, lifecycle, content, or any other aspect of growth marketing strategy. Over 5,000 companies already use MarketerHire to hire expert marketers on demand, ranging from top venture-backed startups to the most well-known Fortune 500s.
Go to marketerhire.com/upstream and use code UPSTREAM to get your $1,000 credit for your first hire.
Released:
May 19, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (60)
E8: Samo Burja on America's future, China, AI, and the new global order: Erik sits down with political scientist Samo Burja ( @SamoBurja ) who founded Bismarck Analysis, a consulting firm that analyzes institutions (ranging from governments to companies). Samo is one of the most interesting and wide-ranging thinkers today. In this episode, they discuss the current state and future state of America, China, Russia, Ukraine, energy, the US dollar, AI, and more. by "Upstream" with Erik Torenberg