AI Summary
Tom Eggemeier, CEO of Zendesk, collaborated with his son on an AI-driven app aimed at helping college athletics. The experience taught them both valuable lessons about AI development and leadership in technology.
- Tom Eggemeier, CEO of Zendesk, believes AI will be transformative, comparing its impact to that of the printing press and the internet. He has been discussing its importance with his children since 2023.
- Eggemeier's son, Will, a Boston College student, challenged his father to create a predictive analytics app called Underdog AI to assist college athletics in recruiting players from the NCAA transfer portal.
- The initial development was exciting, but they encountered issues with the AI's recruitment suggestions, highlighting the challenges of software development, including technical debt and security concerns.
- Will is unable to sell the app while still on the BC basketball team, so he is refining it until he graduates.
- Tom Eggemeier stated that the experience improved his leadership skills and changed his perspective on AI, emphasizing the importance of investing in employee training and practical applications of AI.
- He advises other CEOs to use AI technology personally, hire younger employees familiar with AI, and create projects that address real-world problems. He also encourages collaboration with family on such projects.
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