U.S. per capita energy usage peaked in 1973. Since then? Flat. Meanwhile, China’s per capita energy use has grown 9x.

Today, AI, EVs, manufacturing, and data centers are driving demand for more electricity than ever—and our grid can’t keep up.

In this episode, a16z general partners David Ulevitch and Erin Price-Wright, along with investing partner Ryan McEntush from the American Dynamism team, join us to unpack:

– How America’s grid fell behind

– Why we "forgot how to build" power infrastructure

– The role of batteries, solar, nuclear, and software in reshaping the grid

– How AI is both stressing and helping the system

– What it’ll take to build a more resilient, decentralized, and dynamic energy future

Whether you’re a founder, policymaker, or just someone who wants their lights to stay on, this conversation covers what’s broken—and how to fix it.

Resources:

Find David on X: https://x.com/davidu

Find Erin on X: https://x.com/espricewright

Find Ryan on X: https://x.com/rmcentush

Stay Updated:

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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

In this episode, a16z General Partner Martin Casado sits down with Box cofounder and CEO Aaron Levie to talk about how AI is changing not just software, but the structure and speed of work itself.

They unpack how enterprise adoption of AI is different from the consumer wave, why incumbents may be better positioned than people think, and how the role of the individual contributor is already shifting from executor to orchestrator. From vibe coding and agent UX to why startups should still go vertical, this is a candid, strategic conversation about what it actually looks like to build and operate in an AI-native enterprise.

Aaron also shares how Box is using AI internally today, and what might happen when agents outnumber employees.

Resources:

Find Aaron on X: https://x.com/levie

Find Martin on X: https://x.com/martin_casado

Stay Updated:

Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg

Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

This week on the a16z Podcast, we're sharing a feed drop from Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu, featuring a wide-ranging conversation with a16z cofounder Ben Horowitz.

Artificial intelligence isn't just a tool — it's a tectonic shift. In this episode, Ben joins Tom to break down what AI really is (and isn't), where it's taking us, and why it matters. They dive into the historical parallels, the looming policy battles, and how innovation cycles have always created — not destroyed — opportunity.

From the future of work and education to the global AI race and the role of blockchain in preserving trust, Ben shares hard-won insights from decades at the forefront of technological disruption. It's a masterclass in long-term thinking for anyone building, investing, or navigating what's coming next.

Resources:

Listen to more episodes of Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu: https://link.chtbl.com/impacttheory

Watch full conversations on YouTube: youtube.com/tombilyeu
Follow Tom on Instagram: @tombilyeu

Learn more about Impact Theory: impacttheory.com

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction to Impact Theory with Ben Horowitz

01:12 The Disruptive Power of AI

02:01 Understanding AI and Its Implications

04:19 The Future of Jobs in an AI-Driven World

06:52 Human Intelligence vs. Artificial Intelligence

10:31 The Role of AI in Society

21:41 AI and the Future of Work

35:07 The AI Race: US vs. China

41:25 The Importance of Blockchain in an AI World

44:26 Government Regulation and Blockchain

45:16 The Need for Stablecoins

45:45 Energy Challenges and AI

49:53 Market Structure Bill and Token Regulation

53:51 Blockchain's Trust and Adoption

01:04:17 Elon Musk's Government Involvement

01:12:03 Historical Figures and Modern Parallels

01:18:41 AI and Creativity in Business

01:21:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Stay Updated:

Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg

Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures

a16z Crypto General Partners Ali Yahya, Arianna Simpson, and Erik Torenberg break down what’s actually working in crypto today - starting with the rise of stablecoins as a real-world payments layer. They discuss how stablecoins are being adopted by companies like Stripe and SpaceX, why regulatory shifts are opening new doors for crypto startups, and how AI and crypto are beginning to intersect.

They also cover:

• The future of decentralized social networks
• Where Ethereum, Solana, and others stand today
• Misconceptions still holding the space back

A grounded conversation on what’s real, what’s hype, and where crypto’s finally finding traction.

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction to Crypto and AI

00:16 The Rise of Stable Coins

00:40 Current State of Crypto

02:02 Deep Dive into Stable Coins

07:39 Institutional and Consumer Adoption

22:09 The Future of Crypto and AI

29:13 Misconceptions and Policy Changes

33:06 Smart Contract Platforms

36:14 Closing Thoughts

Resources:

Find Ali on X: https://x.com/alive_eth

Find Arianna on X:

https://x.com/AriannaSimpson

Stay Updated:

Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg

Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures

On this episode, taken from The Ben & Marc Show, a16z co-founders Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz dive deep into the unfiltered story behind the founding of Andreessen Horowitz—and how they set out to reinvent venture capital itself.

For the first time, Marc and Ben walk through the origins, strategy, and philosophy behind building a world-class venture capital firm designed for the future—not just the next fund. They reveal how they broke industry norms with a bold brand, a full-stack support model, and a long-term commitment to backing exceptional builders—anchored in the radical idea that founders deserved real support, not just checks.

Joining them to guide the conversation is Erik Torenberg—Andreessen Horowitz’s newest General Partner—who makes his Ben & Marc Show moderating debut. Erik is a technology entrepreneur, investor, and founder of the media company Turpentine.

Together, they explore:

- Why traditional VC needed reinvention

- How a16z scaled with a platform model, not a partner model

- The "barbell strategy" reshaping venture capital today

- Why venture remains a human craft, even in the age of AI

Timecodes:

00:00 - Intro

01:00 - Why Traditional Venture Capital Was Broken

03:05 - Marc on Discovering VC and Its Legends

05:12 - Surviving the Dot-Com Crash and Angel Investing Collapse

07:05 - Helping Founders Raise Venture / Fix VC Relationships

08:47 - The a16z Strategy: Building a Support Platform

12:07 - First Fund Wins: Skype, Instagram, Slack, Okta

12:50 - Building a 'World-Dominating Monster' 15:00 - The Sushi Boat VC Problem

18:07 - Treating LPs Differently

21:40 - Marc and Ben's Working Relationship

23:30 - Updating a16z’s Media Strategy for the Social Era

27:20 - History of the Decentralized Media Environment

30:36 - Decline of Corporate Brands and Going Direct

36:06 - Naming the Firm

40:13 - Building the a16z 'Cinematic Universe' of Talent

42:16 - Creating a Federated Model

51:02 - Deciding to Market the Firm

53:26 - Recruiting General Partners

56:33 - Evolution to Full-Stack Companies

01:03:53 - The Barbell Theory: The Death of Mid-Sized VCs

01:11:50 - Why Venture Capital Should Stay Overfunded

01:19:50 - When a16z Knew It Could Be Top Tier

01:25:58 - Venture Capital is an Art, Not a Science

Resources:

Marc on X: https://twitter.com/pmarca

Marc’s Substack: https://pmarca.substack.com/

Ben on X: https://twitter.com/bhorowitz

Erik on X: https://x.com/eriktorenberg

Erik's Substack: https://eriktorenberg.substack.com/

Taken from the AI + a16z podcast, Arcjet CEO David Mytton sits down with a16z partner Joel de la Garza to discuss the increasing complexity of managing who can access websites, and other web apps, and what they can do there. A primary challenge is determining whether automated traffic is coming from bad actors and troublesome bots, or perhaps AI agents trying to buy a product on behalf of a real customer.Joel and David dive into the challenge of analyzing every request without adding latency, and how faster inference at the edge opens up new possibilities for fraud prevention, content filtering, and even ad tech.Topics include:

• Why traditional threat analysis won’t work for the AI-powered web
• The need for full-context security checks
• How to perform sub-second, cost-effective inference
• The wide range of potential actors and actions behind any given visit

As David puts it, lower inference costs are key to letting apps act on the full context window — everything you know about the user, the session, and your application.

Follow everyone on social media:

David Mytton

Joel de la Garza

Check out everything a16z is doing with artificial intelligence here, including articles, projects, and more podcasts.

Stay Updated:

Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg

Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

What if now is the best time in decades to start a company?

In this episode, taken from Speedrun, a16z’s accelerator for early-stage founders, Marc Andreessen joins games General Partner Jonathan Lai to make the case that we’re entering a once-in-a-generation window for innovation. From the rise of AI to the cultural and policy shifts reshaping the global economy, Marc explains why the next four years present a rare opportunity for builders to seize the moment.

Along the way, they discuss market timing, platform shifts, and what sets successful founders apart - including lessons from Steve Jobs, insights into AI’s impact on storytelling and games, and why being “too early” can feel just like being wrong.

Timecodes

0:00 Lessons from Steve Jobs on Leadership & Innovation

2:27 The AI Boom: How It’s Changing Everything

5:52 Market Timing: The #1 Factor in Startup Success

8:13 Why the Next 4 Years Are Critical for Tech

11:30 AI & The Future of Gaming, Storytelling & Virtual Worlds

14:28 Why Some Startups Fail While Others Explode

17:11 The Role of Founders in the AI Era

Resources:

Find Marc on X: https://x.com/pmarca

Find Jonathan on X: https://x.com/Tocelot

Stay Updated:

Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg

Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

Why does seriousness feel radical today? a16z General Partner Katherine Boyle joins The LaBossiere Podcast to explore what it means to build for the national interest—and why that starts with purpose.

Katherine, part of the American Dynamism team at a16z, shares how we got to a place where public service became uncool, how tech can help rebuild trust in government, and why suffering, friction, and responsibility are essential ingredients for growth. From the collapse of civic duty to the rise of meme-driven politics, they dig into the cultural forces shaping America—and the opportunity to reclaim a sense of mission.

They also discuss why Silicon Valley is more idea than place, what journalists and investors have in common, and why being laughed at might be the clearest sign you’re on the right path.

Timecodes:

0:00 - Intro

4:48 The Decline in Public Service

7:47 Making Government Cool Again

10:07 Silicon Valley’s Aversion to National Security

13:15 Positive Sum vs Zero Sum Cultures

16:27 China, Authoritarianism, and Doing Hard Things

19:27 What Makes America Special?

23:03 Silicon Valley and the “Real Economy”

26:28 Investing in Mature Markets

29:08 Vanna White and The Wheel of Fortune

30:27 Journalism and Loneliness

32:52 - Time and Suffering

38:10 - Seriousness and Purpose

41:11 - Is Culture Downstream of Technology?

42:48 - Propaganda and Coolness as a Strategic Asset

44:40 - Florida, Texas, and Regulatory Arbitrage

47:51 - DC, Silicon Valley, and Florida

50:20 - What Should More People Be Thinking About

Resources:

Find Katherine on X: https://x.com/KTmBoyle

Find Alex on X: https://x.com/adlabossiere

Listen to more from The LaBossiere Podcast:

YouTube: ⁠https://bit.ly/3QDLQFt⁠

Apple: ⁠https://apple.co/478Be6M⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://spoti.fi/3sfiFiE⁠

Stay Updated:

Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z

Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg

Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.