Latest Interviews
Showing 1–5 of 5 transcripts.
Clear all filters- a16z23 min
How to spot an AI Deepfake
Over 90% of security attacks now target human behavior, with AI-driven social engineering tactics like deepfakes and voice cloning surging to affect millions globally and enable sophisticated impersonations of corporate leaders and government officials. Experts warn that while current losses are financial, these threats pose imminent risks to critical infrastructure and human safety, driven by open-source models that allow adversaries to automate attacks without significant cost barriers. To counter this evolving landscape, organizations must shift from static compliance training to continuous, adaptive simulations and deploy defensive AI agents capable of countering automated offensive operations.
- a16z26 min
Digital Branding: Lessons from Vogue, Monetizing Social, Creator Tips | Field Notes with Connie Chan
Former Cosmopolitan and Vogue editor Susan Plageman, now President of WME Fashion, outlines a career spanning the transition from print dominance to digital disruption while advising creators to prioritize strategic alignment over simple metrics. She details how her teams at major publications pioneered digital video and social engagement by adapting content to new platforms rather than replicating print, emphasizing the need for brands to anticipate client needs rather than react to them. Plageman concludes that sustainable success in the modern economy requires self-disruption and a clear emotional brand identity, arguing that high-quality content creators deserve direct compensation from platforms for the value they provide.
- a16z32 min
Risk-based Contracting for Value-based Care, a Founder's Playbook
Julie, Justin, Jack Stoddard, Rajay Bhatniji, Corbin Petro, Faye Rottenberg, Satish Jain, Mike Copco, Sunny Goyal, Sonny
This event analyzes the strategic transition from fee-for-service to value-based care models as a solution to unsustainable healthcare costs and the need for system resiliency. Industry leaders from organizations including Patina, Waymark, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC discuss the risk spectrum ranging from pay-for-performance to global capitation, emphasizing that success requires tailored glide paths, early partner alignment, and robust upstream metrics. The presentation outlines critical investment criteria for scaling risk-based contracts, including the necessity for specialized actuarial talent, sufficient capital reserves for statutory requirements, and clear roadmaps for managing total cost of care alongside clinical outcomes.
- a16z32 min
B2C2B in Digital Health, a founder's playbook
Julie, Jack, Jay, Chris Hogue, Kate, Saji, Jonathan, Amanda, Andrew Lay
Digital health startups are increasingly adopting a B2C2B motion to bypass traditional enterprise sales bottlenecks by securing direct consumer adoption before targeting senior executives. This dual go-to-market strategy accelerates product-market fit through rapid consumer iteration while generating the usage data required to de-risk large-scale enterprise contracts for investors. Although this approach demands careful resource allocation to balance competing consumer and corporate requirements, it ultimately creates a more defensible business model with faster capital deployment and validated ROI.
- a16z21 min
How to Get the Most from Your Board
This presentation analyzes the critical dynamics of long-term venture capital relationships, emphasizing the need for entrepreneurs to align with board members who serve as strategic stewards rather than mere financial backers. It details how diverging economic interests and fiduciary duties influence three distinct exit scenarios: distress management through recapitalization, acquisition negotiations involving management carve-outs, and IPO processes where pricing conflicts arise. Ultimately, the discussion advises founders to rigorously assess investor incentives and liquidation structures to maintain alignment and build durable, independent public companies.