Masters

On any given day, the frontier of AI moves forward in a dozen places at once. Lightspeed backs builders at every point of that chain, across the world, and works alongside them, often from the first check. That puts us in conversation with the people ahead of the curve. Masters, a new series by Lightspeed, open-sources those conversations. In each episode, we sit down with one of the people shaping the frontier and ask the questions India’s founders and builders are asking.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Benedict Evans on Why No One Knows How Good AI Can Get

    Benedict Evans has spent 25 years studying how technology platforms shift, from the PC to the internet to mobile. In the first episode of Masters, he sits down with Hemant Mohapatra of Lightspeed to work out what those earlier shifts can tell us about AI, and where the comparison breaks. In 1998, Jeff Bezos was selling books and Mark Zuckerberg was in junior high. Everyone knew people would shop online. Nobody had any conception of Facebook. Benedict thinks AI is at that same point now, with one difference: this is the first platform shift where we don't know the physical limits. Chapters00:00 Preview01:50 What repeats in every tech cycle05:14 Token bill shock is 2010's mobile data bill shock06:06 Nobody in 1998 imagined Facebook07:47 Using ChatGPT every few days isn't the AI revolution11:51 The first platform shift with no known limits14:30 Scale problems vs. scope problems15:37 Why a chatbot is a terrible interface18:36 Will one AI lab eat the whole stack? Benedict isn't buying it20:50 Writing the software was never the hard part22:10 Why "McKinsey is toast" is wrong31:15 "This isn't a database. Well done."35:41 Is AI in its 1997? Bubbles and "this time is different"40:02 "Can't you feel the AGI?" and why P(doom) numbers are made up41:17 $200 billion or $2 trillion: where the model companies end up Recorded on June 11, 2026. Masters, by Lightspeed. DisclaimerThe video has been produced by Lightspeed India Partners Advisors LLP (Lightspeed India). Lightspeed India is an investment advisory firm, distinct and operating independently from Lightspeed Management Company, L.L.C. (Lightspeed Venture Partners). From time to time, Lightspeed Venture Partners may draw on its business relationship with Lightspeed India, and vice versa, but only to the extent consistent with their respective status as separate investment advisors. The content here does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities. The views and opinions shared by guests are entirely their own and do not necessarily represent those of the podcast or its creators. These perspectives are expressed within a specific context and should not be taken out of that setting or interpreted as universally applicable. This content is intended solely for informational and/or entertainment purposes and should not be relied upon as professional advice (financial, business, regulatory, investment or otherwise). Neither the hosts, producers, nor any affiliated parties assume any responsibility or liability for actions taken based on this content. For more details, please see https://www.lsvp.com/legal.

    Benedict Evans on Why No One Knows How Good AI Can Get

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On any given day, the frontier of AI moves forward in a dozen places at once. Lightspeed backs builders at every point of that chain, across the world, and works alongside them, often from the first check. That puts us in conversation with the people ahead of the curve. Masters, a new series by Lightspeed, open-sources those conversations. In each episode, we sit down with one of the people shaping the frontier and ask the questions India’s founders and builders are asking.

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