In this episode of the Peaking Podcast, Sneha Kumari, co-founder of Merlin AI, shares her journey from being an engineer in supply chain and construction to launching an AI-powered enterprise software tailored for the construction industry. She discusses the challenges faced in traditional software, the importance of understanding industry needs, and the impact of Y Combinator on her entrepreneurial journey. Sneha emphasizes the need for AI adoption in legacy industries, the empowerment of women in construction, and the shared responsibility of tech builders to facilitate change.

Takeaways

• Sneha Kumari is the co-founder of Merlin AI, focusing on construction technology.
• Her background includes extensive experience in supply chain and construction.
• Merlin AI aims to address inefficiencies in the construction industry with AI-powered solutions.
• The importance of understanding industry-specific needs when developing software.
• Y Combinator played a significant role in refining their vision and approach.
• AI has been around for a long time but is now more accessible.
• Customer feedback is crucial for product development and improvement.
• Women in construction need more empowerment and representation.
• The construction industry is not averse to technology but requires better implementation.
• Tech builders share the responsibility for change management in legacy industries.

Sound bites

“AI has really existed for a long time.”
“It’s a journey you’re learning.”
“Life is totally 180 degrees changed.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sneha Kumari and Merlin AI
02:58 The Journey into Supply Chain and Construction
05:47 Inception of Merlin AI: Addressing Industry Needs
08:41 Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship
12:00 The Impact of Y Combinator on Merlin AI
20:20 Navigating Challenges and Lessons Learned
23:31 AI Adoption in Legacy Industries
27:09 Empowering Women in Construction
30:08 Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook

Explore more at https://www.merlinai.co/