Arsalan Tavakoli-shiraji on AI hype
From Databricks co-founder Arsalan Tavakoli speaks to the BBC · · Vandhna Bhan
“Yeah, I think I oftentimes get asked this question is you know AI transformative or is it overhyped? You know, and my answer to that question is yes on both counts frankly. So I do think AI is absolutely transformative. There's no question about that. I also think that in some places the cart's got ahead of the horse, right? Like everybody's like the answer to everything is, you know, AI. The answer to everything is AI. Right now you're starting to hear, you know, some of these cases, you know, frankly from our perspective where people said, I've invested a bunch in tokens and AI, it's really expensive. I don't know kind of what I'm going to get back from it right now. And you're seeing that kind of across the spectrum.”
On , Arsalan Tavakoli-shiraji, Cofounder at Databricks, spoke about AI hype during Databricks co-founder Arsalan Tavakoli speaks to the BBC on Vandhna Bhan.
About Arsalan Tavakoli-shiraji
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.