S2 #4 Eddie Siegel
Realities of AI with Eddie Siegel: Insights from the 1st10 Podcast
I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Eddie Siegel, the visionary CTO behind Fractional AI. Eddie’s unique perspective on the current state of AI, its hype, and its real-world applications was both enlightening and thought-provoking.
Here are some of the key takeaways from our conversation.
The Hype vs. Substance of AI
One of the most striking points Eddie made was about the hype-versus-substance spectrum in AI. While there’s no denying the buzz around AI, Eddie emphasized that much of the real progress is happening behind the scenes in industries that aren’t typically seen as "sexy" or cutting-edge.
For instance, Eddie gave the example of how Fractional AI was working with companies across various sectors to automate processes that were previously manual and time-intensive. The goal, he said, wasn’t to replace jobs but to make workflows more efficient, allowing employees to focus on higher-value tasks.
AI’s Transformational Potential
He then likened the current AI revolution to the early days of the internet, a comparison that resonated deeply with me. He believes we’re in the midst of a transformational shift, where AI is enabling computers to read, write, and make decisions across a wide range of domains.
Eddie shared examples from projects where Fractional AI helped automate the building of API integrations for a client or automating content moderation for a social media platform - both examples of task that were previously done manually. Implementing AI-based workflows in these cases not only saved time but also allowed engineers to focus on more complex problems.
The Importance of Building the Right Team
Also, slightly off-topic, we also discussed the importance of staying true to high standards while building a strong team. Given his experience as a serial entrepreneur and engineering leader, he stressed that while it’s tempting to lower the hiring bar to meet short-term goals, maintaining a high standard is crucial for long-term success.
He went on to explain how AI tools are changing the landscape for engineers. Engineers can no longer stay away from tools like Copilot and ChatGPT and need to embrace them - not just as aids but as integral parts of their daily workflows. He believes that the ability to leverage these tools effectively will become increasingly important, and engineers who adapt quickly will have a significant advantage.
Eddie’s pragmatic approach and deep understanding of the field left me with a renewed appreciation for the substance behind the hype. If you’re an engineer or founder looking to navigate the AI landscape, Eddie’s insights are invaluable.
And if you’re interested in working on real, impactful AI projects, Fractional AI is hiring! Connect with us someone from the 1st10 team to learn more.
About Us:
1st10 was founded on the simple philosophy that there is nothing more important to the success of your startup than the first ten engineers you hire. Because the first ten will impact the next ten and any wrong misstep can be the difference between success and failure. 1st10 works with visionary founders and exceptional engineers to build world class engineering teams.
1st10 was founded by Boris Epstein, original founder of Binc, the firm best known for pioneering embedded recruiting in Silicon Valley. Binc built early teams for Pinterest, Ripple, Stripe, Square, Airbnb, Reddit, Tesla and many more. Binc was acquired by Robinhood in 2021.