Tiffany Luck, a partner at NEA, is navigating the shift from AI hype to real return on investment. She highlights how companies are now re-evaluating their AI strategies after initial enthusiasm gave way to financial strain. The transition from tokenmaxxing—where AI usage was pushed to extremes—to a focus on measurable returns is reshaping how enterprises approach AI adoption. Luck, who previously helped companies embrace e-commerce, now sees similar potential in AI for creating meaningful consumer experiences.
Luck and Rebecca Bellan discuss how startups are emerging to help enterprises track AI spend and improve ROI. She notes that companies are adopting a more flexible approach, mixing and matching AI models rather than committing to a single provider. Forward-deployed engineers are also becoming a key factor in AI adoption, though Luck warns they may act as a 'Trojan horse' if not managed properly. She emphasizes that value is being created across the AI stack, not just at the model level.
The conversation follows a broader trend of AI IPOs this year, which Luck views as a sign of continued interest in the space. However, she stresses the importance of aligning AI investments with tangible outcomes. The shift from hype to practical ROI is a defining challenge for companies in the AI sector.
Source: techcrunch
