AI Era Demands a Founder’s Mindset from Everyone

In a thought-provoking fireside chat hosted at FlytBase, Silicon Valley-based investor Soumitra Sharma offered an incisive look into the evolving tech landscape shaped by artificial intelligence (AI), its impact on talent, and the complex dynamics unfolding across startups and large technology incumbents.

Characterizing the present as a period of “uneasy optimism,” Sharma spoke candidly about the duality of excitement and apprehension surrounding AI’s rapid rise. While the technology promises unprecedented transformation across sectors, its sheer pace has unsettled markets, boardrooms, and professionals alike.

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Three Key Stakeholders in AI’s Ascent

Sharma categorized the current ecosystem into three primary groups navigating the AI wave: big tech companies, startups, and tech professionals. Interestingly, he noted that many of today’s industry leaders—unlike their corporate predecessors during past revolutions like the internet boom—are still founder-led and thus more agile in adapting to disruption.

“In the past, corporate inertia slowed innovation. Today’s leaders—still founders—can act swiftly. This is a marked difference,” Sharma noted, comparing the current shift to previous waves in mobile and internet eras.

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Startups Reignite the Spark

Startups, according to Sharma, are experiencing a resurgence of excitement not unlike the early days of mobile and cloud. However, the ecosystem is still searching for clarity on who the real winners will be and how value will be distributed. “There’s enthusiasm, but also hesitation. We’re still figuring out the rules of this new game,” he observed.

Tech Talent at a Crossroads

Perhaps the most vulnerable group, Sharma argued, is the talent pool—ranging from fresh graduates to mid-career professionals. He highlighted the uncertainty in job markets, with many roles undergoing drastic change due to automation and the need for reskilling. Entry-level hiring has also become ambiguous, adding to the challenges for younger professionals.

A Founder’s Mindset: The New Imperative

Sharma emphasized that in this volatile climate, adopting a founder’s mindset is essential—not just for entrepreneurs, but for all knowledge professionals. He advocated for a multidisciplinary approach that blends product thinking, strategic awareness, and personal branding. “Being functional is no longer enough. Professionals need to be outcome-driven and adaptable,” he said.

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He further pointed out that in an era where AI democratizes information, it is deep domain expertise and unique insight that will differentiate professionals and companies. “It’s not about what you know anymore, but how deeply and uniquely you understand the problem you’re solving.”

Final Reflections: A Changing World, A New Playbook

Sharma concluded by urging individuals and organizations to build cultures that prioritize reskilling, innovation, and collaboration. He called for community-driven knowledge exchange and encouraged professionals to treat AI not just as a tool, but as a transformative force that demands reinvention across all dimensions of work.