Vanessa Larco, a partner at Premise and previously a partner at NEA, anticipates that 2026 will mark the pivotal year for consumer AI adoption.
Larco, a seasoned investor in consumer and prosumer sectors, foresees a transformation in online consumer behavior, driven by AI-powered “concierge-style” services. This raises questions about the future of established consumer platforms such as WebMD and TripAdvisor: will they endure as distinct applications, or will they be integrated into large AI models like ChatGPT or Meta AI? Furthermore, what avenues exist for startups to innovate within this evolving AI landscape?
In today’s episode of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, Rebecca Bellan interviewed Larco to discuss the resurgence of consumer markets, the areas OpenAI is unlikely to disrupt, and untapped opportunities.
The complete episode delves into:
- Larco’s perspective on why OpenAI is unlikely to develop marketplace businesses involving human management.
- Her views on “disposable software” and the idea that AI applications should be managed similarly to “Word documents.”
- How Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses convinced Larco of the potential of voice interfaces, leading her to believe screens are often unnecessary for many tasks.
- Additional forecasts for 2026, anticipating another significant year for mergers and acquisitions.
- The innovative business models stablecoins might enable.
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