This week we had the pleasure of hosting a fireside chat, led by Navneet Singh, with engineer and investor Deep Nishar.

Deep Nishar is currently a managing director at General Catalyst and has enjoyed an illustrious career in the technology industry. Early in his career, he was the ~800th employee at Google, where he made significant contributions to Google ads, Gmail, and Google Maps. Following his tenure at Google, he served as the Vice President of Product at LinkedIn from December 2008, further solidifying his reputation in the industry. Prior to his current role at General Catalyst, Nishar was a senior managing partner at the Softbank Vision Fund.

The field of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing, shaping the way we interact with technology and revolutionizing all industries. Deep Nishar, an investor, product specialist, and entrepreneur shed light on the evolving landscape of AI and its impact on enterprise applications. The conversation touched upon key insights and trends, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer needs, the role of product managers, and the potential for combining AI with existing technologies to create transformative experiences.

The Rise of AI in Enterprise Applications: The discussion kicked off by acknowledging the increasing prevalence of AI in enterprise applications. AI is no longer confined to niche domains but is permeating various sectors, from finance and legal to accounting and personal finance. Nishar emphasized that if a problem exists, there is likely a specialized AI solution being developed to address it. However, he cautioned that building a successful AI company requires careful consideration of timing and understanding the broader trends shaping the industry.

The Role of Product Managers: Product managers will play a crucial role in the age of AI, according to Nishar. A great product manager will possess a blend of technical knowledge, design sensibility, and diplomatic skills. They will understand the range of all technical feasabilities while empathizing with users, extracting their needs and preferences effectively. Furthermore, they will need to navigate the complexities of influencing stakeholders and engineering teams to achieve successful outcomes.

Putting AI and Existing Technologies Together: Nishar delved into the potential of combining AI with existing technologies to create transformative experiences. He discussed the example of personalized travel planning, where AI could analyze a user's preferences and decision-making patterns to generate tailored itineraries. This idea of integrating AI capabilities into everyday tools and enhancing user experiences through personalization was seen as a game-changing development for the future.

Key Takeaways and Looking Ahead: Firstly, Nishar emphasized that success cannot be solely attributed to luck but requires a deep understanding of customer needs and an ability to deliver solutions that resonate with them. Secondly, the role of product managers remains vital in the age of AI, as they bridge this gap between technical possibilities and user requirements. Thirdly, timing is crucial, and companies must assess the maturity of trends before investing in related products or services. Finally, the integration of AI with existing technologies holds immense potential to transform industries and provide personalized experiences.

As we move forward, the world of AI and enterprise applications continues to evolve rapidly. Innovations in AI, coupled with a deep understanding of customer needs and effective product management, will shape the success of companies in this space. By leveraging AI capabilities and integrating them seamlessly with existing technologies, we can unlock new levels of personalization and enhance user experiences across various domains.

The journey of AI is an exciting one, filled with opportunities and challenges. As we navigate this evolving landscape, it will be imperative to remain adaptable, empathetic, and innovative to harness the true potential of AI for the betterment of society.

For Harmony, this year is The Year of Efficiency and AI. We are not only building at the frontier of blockchain efficiency, but are actively integrating payments and smart contract pricing for cutting edge AI products. Learn more here!