The Twenty Minute VC (20VC) · Thursday, August 6, 2026
A discussion compares Air table's approach to AI infusion with automotive analogies, questioning whether it was a superficial 'Mercedes action' (sprinkling AI) or a fundamental 'Waymo action' (building a self-driving car). The concern is that companies might be adding AI 'pixie dust' without core transformative AI capabilities.
“I'm a little wary about this AI infusion stuff. And this is what I talk to my team every day from an operator's perspective. I say to them, you know, are we Mercedes? We're trying to sprinkle a little bit of AI in our car and say I have a little bit of AI. Or are we Tesla? Are we making sure that our car will drive the next 10 X Y Z by itself and might have to grab the steering wheel once in a while? Or are we building a Waymo?”
“Because my biggest fear is a bunch of people out there in the garages getting funded by Harry and Rory and they're going to build Waymos of the future. And we'll be busy putting lipstick on the pig.”