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Jason Droege

1 episode

Episodes

Scale AI CEO on Meta's $14B deal, scaling Uber Eats to $80B, & what frontier labs are building next

Oct 9, 20251h 24m

Guest: Jason Droege - CEO of Scale AI. Jason is known for launching and leading Uber Eats, which grew into a multi-billion dollar business. He recently took over as CEO of Scale AI after a significant investment from Meta. Key Takeaways: Adapt to Market Needs: Scale AI has shifted from generalist data labeling to expert-driven data labeling, reflecting the evolving needs of AI models. This includes using professionals like PhDs for complex tasks. Survival as Strategy: Jason emphasizes that "not losing is a precursor to winning," highlighting the importance of survival and adaptability in business, especially during hype cycles. Independent Thinking: Successful entrepreneurship requires unique insights and a deep understanding of customer incentives, not just following market trends. High Bar for New Ventures: When evaluating new business ideas, focus on high gross margins and sustainable competitive advantages to ensure long-term viability. AI's Future: The trend is moving from AI models knowing things to doing things, with a focus on creating environments where AI can learn to perform tasks autonomously. Topics Covered: AI data labeling, expert networks, business strategy, Uber Eats growth, AI model training, entrepreneurship, customer insights, gross margins, AI's future capabilities.

Notable Quotes

โ€œIn business and in startups, everything's negotiable.โ€

Negotiation in startups

โ€œSurviving is a precursor to thriving.โ€

Entrepreneurial journey

โ€œYou can keep going and the world's going to keep spinning.โ€

Persistence