The AI Report Live with Liam Lawson

Jason Eubanks on Building Oracel: Raising $30M in 28 Hours to Disrupt the $236B Go-To-Market Tooling Market with AI-Native Sales AutomationJason Eubanks, CEO and Co-founder of Oracel, discusses how the company raised $30 million in just 28 hours—oversubscribed at $40 million—by solving a critical problem in the go-to-market industry. With a $236 billion market opportunity and only a "desert of innovation" since the late 1990s, Aurasell is building an AI-native platform to intelligently automate sales workflows and consolidate the 12-15 fragmented tools that plague modern sales teams. Jason shares how his experience scaling revenue from $1M to $100M+ across five startups—including Twilio (IPO), Meraki (acquired by Cisco for $1.2B), and Harness—directly informed the founding vision of AurasellEpisode Timestamps- 00:00 - Introduction and Jason Eubanks joins the podcast- 00:26 - Why Oracel raised $30M in 28 hours despite initial $40M oversubscription- 01:24 - The "desert of innovation" in go-to-market tooling since the late 90s- 01:42 - History of CRM evolution from mainframe to cloud to niche products- 03:12 - Founding vision: One intelligent GTM sales platform to replace them all- 03:39 - How pain as a CRO across five startups led to Oracel's creation- 05:58 - The X-Ray productivity assessment revealing tool sprawl inefficiencies- 07:59 - Sellers spending 28% of time selling and 70% on manual tasks- 09:03 - First principles AI-native approach with whiteboards in the kitchen- 09:29 - Five key personas: SDR, seller, IC manager, executive, ops team- 12:18 - AI-native architecture: multimodal interface, lakehouse, and 10,000 agents- 14:39 - Unified data model importance for contextualized AI automation- 15:45 - Current hat wearing: product focus and 50% building go-to-market engine- 18:43 - Platform features and customer experience design philosophy- 19:05 - Three wow moments per persona as success metric- 20:39 - Onboarding experience: automatic territory building and customer choice- 21:40 - 10,000 agents discovering ICP, personas, and competitors automatically- 24:07 - Automated account research and value hypothesis creation- 25:34 - Outbound prospecting content generation with propensity scoring- 26:32 - Outbound sequencer integration and email platform plugins- 27:00 - AI voice dialer coming in three weeks with closed-loop automation- 28:47 - What's missing: deep marketing and customer success automation- 30:49 - Ideal customer profiles: startups and enterprises with tool sprawl- 31:30 - Solution for heavily customized legacy systems coming in December- 34:24 - Dynamic change detection layer solving technical debt- 36:23 - Jason's career arc from BMC Software through Harness- 37:09 - Why: helping go-to-market operators solve problems he experienced- 39:55 - Meraki's disruptive cloud-managed network architecture- 41:51 - Three constants: great product builders, important problems, massive markets- 43:22 - Intrinsic motivation as foundation for hiring and culture- 45:31 - Hiring from first job onward to assess character and values- 51:24 - Understanding why someone wanted to work at 14 years old- 53:21 - Importance of formative years for work ethic and intelligence- 55:46 - AI adoption culture: using own product and building agents internally- 56:36 - All employees use AI daily across PMs, engineers, and operations- 59:25 - Ask AI features: analytics dashboards, data enrichment, natural language-

Discover how Anton, one of the most experienced AI and machine learning experts in the industry, discusses his evolution from building matching algorithms at Bright.com to navigating today's AI landscape. With over a decade of experience in large-scale recommendation systems and data processing, Anton reveals how the fundamentals of big data and embarrassingly parallel computing shaped modern AI applications, and why human-centered design is now more critical than ever in building AI-powered products.Episode Timestamps:- 00:00 - Introduction and welcome- 00:47 - Anton's experience at Bright.com and the recruitment matching problem- 03:23 - The big data era, Hadoop, and Spark in the web 2.0 world- 05:00 - Embarrassingly parallel computing and large-scale data processing- 10:00 - How recommendation algorithms work at scale in recruitment- 20:00 - Evolution of the data scientist role over time- 30:00 - Building intelligent matching systems- 40:00 - Understanding user needs and organizational workflows- 50:00 - The shift toward human-centered AI design- 57:30 - Providing pre-filled content and personalization- 58:02 - Anton's vision for the future and human values- 01:01:46 - Closing thoughts on humanity and technologyAbout Anton:Anton is a veteran machine learning and AI engineer with over a decade of experience building large-scale recommendation and matching systems. He played a key role at Bright.com, a two-sided recruitment platform that pioneered transparent scoring algorithms for candidate-job matching. His expertise spans big data infrastructure, recommendation systems, user experience optimization, and the human-centered approach to AI product development.Resources Mentioned:- Hadoop and Spark (big data processing frameworks)- Big data infrastructure and cloud computing platforms- Two-sided marketplace architectures- Recommendation algorithms and matching systems- User workflow analysis toolsPartner Links:- Book Enterprise Training — https://www.upscaile.com/- Subscribe to our free newsletter — https://www.theaireport.ai/subscribe-theaireport-youtubeHashtags:#AIAgents #MachineLearningSystems #RecruitmentTechnology #BigData #DataScience #RecommendationAlgorithms #HadoopSpark #AIProductDesign #HumanCenteredAI #LargeScaleML #CloudComputing #AIStrategy #FutureOfWork #TechLeadership #CareerDevelopment

Building Teams in the Age of AI: How Slack CMO Ryan Gavin is Reshaping the Future of WorkIn this episode, Ryan Gavin, Chief Marketing Officer at Slack, reveals how self-awareness in leadership and the convergence of marketing and product strategy are creating unprecedented opportunities in the agentic era. Learn why employee productivity through AI orchestration is poised to become the fastest accelerator for top line business growth companies have ever seen, and how Slack is positioning itself as the conversational work platform for this transformation.The conversation explores the critical shift from employees as doers to orchestrators, where every team member—from day-one interns to seasoned executives—will manage digital coworkers and AI agents. Discover the product principles driving Slack's approach to agent integration, the social dynamics of working alongside AI teammates, and why the traditional career ladder is being replaced by immediate access to capabilities across development, creative, analytics, and more. The discussion also covers practical frameworks for building exceptional teams, reducing AI adoption anxiety, and why picking the "right" career path matters less than crushing the job you're in.Ryan delivers actionable insights on leadership development through self-awareness, understanding how team members receive feedback and recognition differently, and connecting business opportunities with talent growth. You'll also hear his compelling argument for why marketing must sit between product and sales as a strategic amplifier, not just a message distributor, and what marketers need to do to earn their seat at product strategy and sales planning meetings.Key Topics Covered:Self-awareness as the foundation of effective leadership and team developmentWhy marketing is product and product is marketing in modern B2B organizationsThe shift from doers to orchestrators in the age of AI agents and digital coworkersHow every employee will manage AI teammates from day one across finance, HR, creative, and developmentEmployee productivity as the most underutilized growth lever for businessesSlack's product principles for agent integration: don't make me think and be a great hostReducing AI adoption fear by showcasing capability expansion rather than job displacementSocial dynamics of agent interaction in channels and preserving psychological safetyWhy there is no "right" career path and how to multiply opportunities by crushing your current roleThe changing consumer patterns of information seeking and their impact on business workflowsEpisode Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and setting the stage02:16 - Knowing thyself: Ryan's journey to leadership self-awareness through family and life experience05:19 - What makes an amazing marketer in 2026 and bridging the marketing-product divide08:43 - From doers to orchestrators: how AI agents give every employee a team from day one11:24 - Designing agents to work like teammates: Slack's approach to intuitive AI integration14:55 - Addressing AI fear: why productivity gains lead to higher expectations rather than job loss18:03 - Advice for the next generation entering an AI-transformed workforce21:49 - Career lesson from delivering papers in 110-degree Chicago heat24:30 - Final question: why Ryan does what he does and the importance of lasting market impact

Nick Johnston is the Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Business Development at Salesforce, where he leads strategic relationships with major technology companies including OpenAI, Anthropic, AWS, Google, IBM, and Workday. In this conversation recorded during Dreamforce 2025, Nick shares how Salesforce closed 12,500 Agentforce deals and navigated the complexities of announcing major partnerships like the expanded OpenAI integration that brings Salesforce's Agentforce 360 directly into ChatGPT. He reveals his unique approach to building win-win partnerships grounded in customer demand rather than competitive positioning.Key Topics Covered:How Salesforce builds customer-driven partnerships with tech giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, AWS, and GoogleThe three core hiring values that create high-performing partnership teams: low ego, high curiosity, and gritWhy uncomfortable conversations are essential for building trust and creating impactful partnershipsUsing AI tools to position partnership proposals and draft joint press releases with strategic clarityThe Dreamforce partnership strategy and how compelling events drive deal executionCareer lessons from coaching varsity football wide receivers and celebrating team achievement over personal winsLiving in Buenos Aires for six months and the value of full cultural immersion for partnership workWhy getting customer-facing experience early in your career is the best foundation for any roleThe interview question that reveals hero culture versus team players in partnership rolesBalancing partnership work across multiple departments including product, marketing, operations, and salesHow human experience will become the ultimate competitive moat as AI automates routine tasksThe "be great" daily philosophy and applying the same standards to yourself that you set for your teamEpisode Timestamps:03:07 - From college football to coaching varsity wide receivers at Torrey Pines High School in 200605:47 - The vibes and trust mentality: lessons from undersized teams that outperform expectations07:26 - Three core hiring values: low ego, high curiosity, and grit in partnership teams09:15 - Six months in Buenos Aires learning Spanish through full immersion with Spencer Stuart12:49 - Customer-driven partnership strategy: building frameworks from market demand to product integration16:15 - The customer-centric approach at Dreamforce and delivering the Agentforce agenda with partners18:04 - Using AI to write joint press releases, position partnerships, and create mutually beneficial proposals21:27 - Career advice for new graduates: get as close to the customer as possible in sales or customer success roles24:56 - Why human experience and the arts will be the ultimate differentiator as AI automates work28:02 - Parenting lessons and the "be great" daily motto for building confidence and pushing through challenges29:06 - Why do you do what you do: achieving hard things in team settings and making family proudAbout Nick JohnstonNick Johnston is the Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Business Development at Salesforce, where he has spent over 12 years advancing from Customer Success Director to leading strategic technology partnerships. He holds an MBA from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business and a BA with honors in International Relations from UC Davis, where he also played college football. Nick has been instrumental in establishing major partnerships with OpenAI, Anthropic, AWS, Google, IBM, Workday, and other leading technology companies to deliver integrated customer experiences through Salesforce's Agentforce 360 platform.ransformation and agentic AI.Partner Links:Book Enterprise Training — **https://www.upscaile.com/**Subscribe to our free newsletter — **https://www.theaireport.ai/subscribe-theaireport-youtube**

Try AI Pals today: http://tavus.io/pals-launch?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=theaireportIn this candid conversation with Quinn Favret, and Hassaan Raza, Co-Founders of Tavus, we dive deep into the future of human computing and how AI is learning to communicate like humans. Quinn walks us through their inspiring San Francisco office—a museum of vintage computing that fuels the company's innovation culture.Topics Covered:0:00 — Introduction & Office Tour2:15 — Building an Inspiring Workspace for Innovation5:45 — The Evolution of Human-Computer Interaction (CLI → GUI → Human Computing)8:30 — What is "Human Computing"? The OS for Human-AI Interaction12:00 — The Waltz of Communication: Understanding Turn-Taking, Tone & Body Language15:20 — Tavus Technology: Perception, Understanding, Reaction & Action20:45 — Introducing Tavus Pals: AI Companions That Reach Out to You25:30 — Real-World Impact: The AI Santa Story & Accessibility30:15 — Ethical AI: Human-First Design & Responsibility35:00 — The Future of Work: Invisible Interface & AI Coworkers (10-20 Year Vision)42:30 — Addressing Job Displacement & Automation47:00 — Building an International, Culturally Diverse Team52:15 — What Makes a Great Tavus Hire: Passion, Craft & Opinions57:45 — Employee Challenges That Changed Company Direction62:00 — The "Why Do You Do This?" Question & Personal Motivations67:30 — Closing Remarks & GratitudeKey Takeaways:Human computing is the next frontier: machines that understand you instead of you learning to understand machinesEffective communication involves far more than words—tone, timing, facial expressions, and body language all matterTavus Pals represent a new category of AI application: emotionally intelligent, proactive, and truly conversationalDiversity of perspective—cultural, generational, educational—is critical to building AI that works for everyoneThe future workplace will have AI coworkers that feel as natural to interact with as human colleaguesTimestamps & Chapters:Vintage Computing Culture & InnovationThe Evolution of Computing InterfacesHuman-Centered AI Design PhilosophyReal-Time AI Perception & UnderstandingTavus Consumer Products & APIEmotional Intelligence in AIEthical Considerations & ResponsibilityFuture of Work & The Invisible InterfaceBuilding an International TeamHiring for Passion Over BackgroundLegacy & ImpactWe explore conversations with founders, technologists, and innovators shaping the future. This episode features Quinn Hassan discussing how Tavus is reimagining human-computer interaction through emotionally intelligent AI.#AI #Tavus #HumanComputing #FutureOfWork #AICompanions #Innovation #TechPodcast #FounderInterview #Startups #EmotionalIntelligence