Trying to steer clear of the “OpenAI killed my startup” phenomenon? Mike Krieger, the chief product officer of Anthropic, offers some valuable insights.
In a recent episode of “Lenny’s” podcast, Krieger outlined three essential qualities that can help startups remain competitive against larger AI companies over the next few years.
First, he highlighted that startups with specialized knowledge in sectors like law or biotechnology have a better chance of thriving against AI giants. For example, he believes there’s no plan for Anthropic to create solutions for scientific labs, but he hopes such companies continue to exist and sees value in collaboration.
Second, establishing strong connections with customers is crucial. Krieger emphasized the importance of knowing not just the company you’re selling to, but also the individuals within that company. Having domain expertise or bringing in a co-founder with relevant experience can enhance this relationship.
His third recommendation is for startups to experiment with innovative AI interfaces. He encouraged ventures to engage in projects that feel advanced, unconventional, or even niche, as they could evolve into significant opportunities.
Krieger, who co-founded Instagram and later started the news-aggregating app Artifact, expressed his mixed feelings about entering the AI field. He noted that the prospect of founding a startup in this space can be daunting, which may have influenced his decision to join an established company instead.
Krieger’s insights contribute to ongoing discussions in the startup community regarding how founders can differentiate themselves from simple AI applications that larger companies could easily reproduce.