Daniel Gebler, CTO van Picnic, shares his views on AI at the StartupDelta Summit
“AI is overestimated on the short term, and underestimated in the long term”
The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be huge. But in what way will society benefit from AI? “That short-term impact will be focused around digital consumer-facing products”, says Daniel Gebler. As CTO of online supermarket Picnic, he knows just about everything about using big data and AI for the benefit of consumers.
Picnic is the world’s fastest growing online supermarket that makes grocery shopping simple, fun, and affordable for everyone. Daniel Gebler is CTO of Picnic. Previously, he was Director R&D of Fredhopper, responsible for the product and technology roadmap, and led engineering teams located in Amsterdam and Sofia. Daniel holds a PhD in Computer Science and an MBA. Daniel will share his views on AI at the StartupDelta Summit.
What are trends & developments in the field of artificial intelligence?
“Artificial intelligence is clearly maturing towards a commodity technology. AI is already now no longer a competitive advantage in verticals that are heavily powered by big data, which is the essential precondition of AI. These days AI disruption is happening mainly in low tech categories (tech for atoms), slow tech categories (corporate tech) and old tech categories (supply chain, retail, logistics).”
What social consequences do these tech developments have in the next 5 years?
“Artificial intelligence is a prime example for Amara’s law: Technology is overestimated on the short term but underestimated in the long term. We will continue to see a large number of impressive AI powered prototypes in all domains of life science, but on society-scale AI will stay for the time being focused around digital consumer-facing products.”
What opportunities do these trends offer for startups?
“Following Amara’s law it is essential to invest as early as possible in fundamental technologies like AI. Our learning is that data science can help to judge early on if AI will be able to improve a product in a significant manner.”
