From NotebookLM to Audio Companions: Why Google’s AI Team Went Startup

In this episode of the podcast, Ben Lorica interviews Raisa Martin, co-founder of Hux, about her transition from Google's NotebookLM to building a startup focused on personalized audio experiences. Raisa discusses the unmet need for delightful, personalized audio content, particularly during commute times, and the unique opportunities presented by audio as a modality. She also touches on the lessons learned from smart speakers, the importance of privacy, and the challenges of balancing content personalization with filter bubbles. Raisa shares her thoughts on the distinction between AI assistants and companions, the metrics they are tracking at Hux, and her perspective on the future of consumer AI, emphasizing the growing use of AI for personal companionship and the stickiness of AI models due to data lock-in.