Ben Horowitz on AI Anxiety, Big Tech Transitions & The Future of Startups | a16z

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

April 14, 2026

Duration

28m

Channel

a16z

Watch on YouTube

▶ Open ↗

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Recorded live at the a16z Fintech Connect conference in Deer Valley, Alex Rampell speaks with Ben Horowitz, cofounder and general partner at a16z, about how AI has rewritten the fundamental rules of software competition, why crypto infrastructure will become essential in an AI-dominated world, and what the future holds for venture capital. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:39) The New Laws of Physics for Tech Companies (06:37) Why Not Every Legacy SaaS Company Is Dead (08:17) The Future of Venture Capital (10:30) America's AI Infrastructure Bottleneck (14:27) AI + Crypto: Why They're More Connected Than You Think (19:54) The Future of VC (24:06) AI and the History of Technological Change Read the full transcript here: https://www.a16z.news/s/podcast Resources: Follow Alex Rampell on X: https://twitter.com/arampell Follow Ben Horowitz on X: https://twitter.com/bhorowitz Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends! Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.

🎤 SPEAKERS

• Ben Horowitz

  guest

  Co-founder and general partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and former CEO/co-founder of Loudcloud/Opsware.

• Alex Rampell

  host

  General partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and podcast host/interviewer.

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of a16z, featuring Ben Horowitz and Alex Rampell, Ben Horowitz on AI Anxiety, Big Tech Transitions & The Future of Startups | a16z explores Ben Horowitz on AI disruption, infrastructure bottlenecks, crypto, and VC futures Horowitz argues AI changes two core software assumptions: money can now buy speed (GPUs + data can close gaps fast) and customer lock-in erodes as code, data, and interfaces become easier to replicate and agents navigate UIs for users.

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