The Death of Data Gatekeeping: AI Makes Everyone An Analyst | Hex Cofounder
Most companies still rely on dashboards to understand their data, even though AI now offers new ways to ask questions and explore information. Barry McCardel, CEO of Hex and former engineer at Palantir, joins a16z General Partner Sarah Wang to discuss how agent workflows, conversational interfaces, and context-aware models are reshaping analysis. Barry also explains how Hex aims to make everyone a data person by unifying analysis and AI in one workflow, and he reflects on his post about getting rid of their AI product team and the process behind Hex’s funny launch videos.Timecodes: 0:00 – The problem with dashboards1:20 – The evolution of data teams and AI’s role2:05 – Democratizing data: challenges and opportunities3:45 – The rise of agentive workflows9:48 – Threads and the changing UI of data analysis13:16 – Building AI agents: lessons from the notebook agent16:12 – Model capabilities and the future of AI in data19:10 – The importance of context and trust in data analysis24:34 – Semantic models and context engineering29:27 – Data team roles in the age of AI31:52 – Accuracy, trust, and evaluating AI systems37:43 – Building Hex: embracing AI as core, not an add-on48:48 – Pricing, value capture, and the future of SaaS55:55 – The modern data stack and industry consolidation1:04:26 – Acquisitions and owning the data insight layer1:06:46 – Lessons from Palantir: forward-deployed engineering1:13:11 – Commitment engineering and customer collaboration1:17:25 – Brand, launch videos, and having fun in SaaSResources:Follow Barry McCardel on X: https://x.com/barraldFollow Sarah Wang on X: https://x.com/sarahdingwang Stay Updated:If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends!Find a16z on X: https://x.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zListen to the a16z Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYXListen to the a16z Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease 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 http://a16z.com/disclosures.
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