The air crackled with anticipation at TechCrunch Disrupt on November 28, 2025. Not just the usual buzz of startups pitching, but a sense that something fundamental was shifting. The topic? How artificial intelligence, specifically the moves of giants like OpenAI and Google, are reshaping the very DNA of how new products meet the market.
It used to be a predictable dance. Build a product, find some early adopters, raise a boatload of cash, and then… launch. But now? The rhythm is off. AI is the drummer, setting a new tempo. Investors, founders, and operators – all are trying to keep pace.
One panel, featuring three industry experts, tried to make sense of it all. They spoke of hyper-personalization, of AI-driven customer acquisition, and of the relentless pressure to iterate faster than ever before. It wasn’t about simply using AI; it was about becoming AI-native.
What does this mean in practice? Imagine a startup, not just using AI to analyze customer data, but using it to *predict* what customers will want before they even know it themselves. Picture AI crafting marketing campaigns that are unique to each individual, campaigns that learn and adapt in real-time. This isn’t science fiction; it’s the new reality.
“The companies that will win,” one panelist noted, “are those that can build AI into every aspect of their go-to-market strategy, from product development to sales and support.” They didn’t name names, but the implication was clear: OpenAI and Google were the ones setting the pace.
The discussion at TechCrunch Disrupt wasn’t about the *promise* of AI; it was about the *pressure* of it. The pressure to adapt, to compete, to not be left behind. It was a glimpse into a future where the old rules no longer apply, and where the winners will be those who can best harness the power of artificial intelligence.
The details, the specifics, the cold hard numbers – those are important. But what really stuck with me was the feeling. The feeling of watching the future unfold, one algorithm, one product launch, one conversation at a time.
About the Author
