Arsalan Tavakoli-shiraji

Cofounder, Databricks

Search every verified Arsalan Tavakoli-shiraji interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a December 2025 BBC interview, Databricks co-founder Arsalan Tavakoli stated that the company's IPO is a matter of "when, not if," but said the company is "not really in a rush." He noted that Databricks does not face challenges with public awareness, access to capital, or employee liquidity, and that the company's focus remains on serving customers. Tavakoli described AI as "both transformative and overhyped," saying he agrees with both characterizations. He warned that the market is beginning to overheat, with some believing "the answer to everything is AI." Despite broader tech layoffs, Tavakoli said Databricks continues to hire at a "healthy clip," citing strong customer demand and the belief that AI will increase productivity. He characterized Anthropic and OpenAI as partners rather than competitors, arguing that enterprises need the right model for each use case rather than the most powerful one.