What qualities matter most for builders in an AI-native world?

In this episode of Futureproof, Prakash Chandran sits down with Karthik Puvvada (KP), Head of Community at Netlify, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping creation, careers, and community-driven growth. KP explains why the industry is moving away from rigid “developer vs. non-developer” labels toward a new divide of high-agency vs. low-agency builders, how AI is becoming a tutor and force multiplier, and why shipping real projects matters more than passive learning. Together, they make the case that we are entering an era of personal software, faster experimentation, and community flywheels where champions and curiosity determine who wins.

Topics covered include:

• High-agency builders: Why initiative and ownership now matter more than traditional credentials.
• AI as a learning engine: How models collapse skill gaps and accelerate cross-functional work.
• Shipping over tutorials: Setting concrete goals that force real-world iteration.
• Community as growth: Champion programs, authenticity, and “show, don’t tell” storytelling.
• The rise of personal software: Why n=1 apps may define the next wave of creation.

Episode ID: 18573101-high-agency-builders-personal-software-and-the-rebirth-of-developers-karthik-puvvada-netlify

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From Xano - The fastest way to create a production-ready backend for any app or agent. Xano unifies AI speed, code control, and visual clarity, so you never trade reliability for velocity. Sign up for free today.

Are engineering leaders asking the wrong questions when deciding what to build?

In this episode of Futureproof, Xano CEO Prakash Chandran talks with Chris Horn, SVP of Operations at Deriv, about what it takes to build AI inside a regulated, global software environment. Chris explains the difference between prototypes and proofs-of-concept, why data architecture is the real unlock, and how Deriv used a Shark-Tank-like model to introduce AI into internal operations. Together, they explore the mindset shift required for AI-native development — and why the most important question isn’t “Can we build it?” but “Should we build it?”

Topics covered include:

• Prototype vs. PoC: Why technical feasibility matters less than solving a real problem.
• AI as product work: The critical role of discovery, KPIs, and iteration in AI projects.
• Data as the foundation: How Deriv built a medallion architecture to get ready for AI.
• Internal AI first: Why customer-facing AI wasn’t the starting point (and what worked instead).
• Upskilling at scale: Building an AI-native culture through curiosity, training, and incentives.

Episode ID: 18501541-from-proof-of-concept-to-product-chris-horn-deriv

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From Xano - The fastest way to create a production-ready backend for any app or agent. Xano unifies AI speed, code control, and visual clarity, so you never trade reliability for velocity. Sign up for free today.

If AI becomes a creator, where do humans bring value to storytelling?

In this episode of Futureproof, Xano CEO Prakash Chandran talks with Sylvain Monterrey, founder and CEO of Animatix, an AI-powered film production platform used by leading advertising agencies and media studios. Sylvain shares his journey from fashion to AI — and explains how the creative production pipeline is being rebuilt on top of foundational models. Together, they explore what AI means for storytelling, why creativity still begins with humans, and how new workflows are transforming not just content creation — but company building itself.

Topics covered include:

• End-to-end creative pipelines in AI: Why the next era isn’t about standalone models — it’s about stitching them together so teams can go from brief to storyboard to finished film in a single workflow.
• AI as co-creator, not replacement: Technical barriers are collapsing, but the creative spark still comes from people — the message, meaning, and emotional arc.
• The rise of enterprise-grade AI filmmaking: Why big studios care about continuity, licensing, and digital actors — and how legal frameworks will shape adoption.
• AI-native organizational design: How team structure, roles, and product velocity change when everyone can build and iterate at real-time speed.
• Real-time personalization and the cultural question: Why “your own version of the movie” is coming — and why it could reshape culture, marketing, and identity.

Episode ID: 18454919-ai-and-the-future-of-creative-work-sylvain-montreuil-animatix

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From Xano - The fastest way to create a production-ready backend for any app or agent. Xano unifies AI speed, code control, and visual clarity, so you never trade reliability for velocity. Sign up for free today.