NEWS YOU CAN’T MISS

Can a Chatbot Outsell Your Best Sales Rep?

Companies using AI in customer service see a 37% drop in first response times compared to those without automation. Faster replies mean happier customers, but speed alone isn’t enough—people also want conversations that feel personal.

That’s where Palona AI comes in. Created by former Google and Meta executives, the company just raised $10M to develop human-like agents that are more reliable, emotionally attuned, and brand-aware.

What makes Palona different?

• Personalized Conversations: Whether a customer is frustrated, curious, or just browsing, Palona’s AI adapts in real time to match their needs.

• Sales-Driven AI Agents: More than just support, Palona’s chatbots can recommend products, upsell, and drive conversions—all while staying on-brand.

• Omnichannel Support: Whether through text, voice, website chat, or Instagram DMs, Palona’s AI meets customers wherever they prefer to interact.

Why it matters: Most people don’t want to feel like they’re talking to a machine. A chatbot that understands tone, intent, and emotional cues creates a far better experience—leading to more trust, engagement, and ultimately, more sales.

It’s already being used by real brands:

• Wyze Labs built an AI agent that mimics the company’s personality, making shopping smoother and more engaging.

• Mindzero’s AI assistant, Jen, handles even sensitive questions with warmth and understanding.

• Pizza My Heart brought its brand mascot “Jimmy the Surfer” to life, turning a static character into an interactive experience.

I’ve always believed that AI support shouldn’t be about just speed, it should make customers feel understood and engaged. When people enjoy interacting with a chatbot, they stay longer, trust more, and ultimately buy more.

WOMAN IN TECH

Elizabeth Stone, Chief Technology Officer at Netflix

Celebrating this week's Woman in Tech 🥳: Meet Elizabeth Stone, Chief Technology Officer at Netflix, where she leads a global team of 3,000 people overseeing the company's tech strategy.

Stone earned her BS in Economics from MIT and PhD in Economics from Stanford University, making her the first-ever economist to become CTO of a Fortune 500 company.

Her career trajectory:

• 2003: Started her career with economist roles at Merrill Lynch and Analysis Group.

• 2016: Took over as COO at Nuna, a health tech company providing data solutions to hospitals. Stone guided the delivery of Nuna’s first database of Medicaid claims. 

• 2018: Became VP of Science at Lyft, leading the company’s 200+ person Science team and using data to drive business decision. 

• 2020: Joined Netflix, where she is now serving as CTO.

At Netflix, Stone has played a key role in shaping how we watch and discover content. Under her leadership, Netflix has expanded beyond streaming shows and movies—adding AI-driven recommendations, mobile games, and even live events.

If you remember the buzz around Netflix’s first-ever live NFL broadcast in December 2024, Stone and her team helped bring it to the screens.

My fave quote from her: “We don't want to be fearful of placing big bets. We want to be constantly pushing ourselves to be more innovative. And we want to use data to really try to make the best decisions we can.”

Can AI Keep Kids Out of Adult Spaces?

Back in the day, sneaking into an R-rated movie meant standing on your toes and hoping the ticket guy didn’t ask questions. Now? AI might be the one checking IDs.

Instagram is rolling out an AI-powered age checker that scans faces and estimates age, accurate to within months. No documents, no quizzes—just a quick scan to decide if someone is actually old enough for the platform. It’s already being used by TikTok, PlayStation, and even supermarket self-checkouts to keep kids out of age-restricted spaces.

Supporters say it’s a much-needed upgrade to online safety. But others wonder, can AI really tell the difference between a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old? Let’s be real… teens always find a way to outsmart the system. What do you think?