This panel discussion centers on the impact of AI on the software industry, particularly how AI-powered software is beginning to replace human labor in various sectors. The conversation traces the evolution of software from mainframe systems to cloud-based solutions, highlighting how the integration of AI is creating a fundamentally different market dynamic. Specific examples like Zendesk's per-seat pricing model and the potential for AI to automate tasks currently performed by compliance officers in banks are used to illustrate the disruptive potential and the need for companies to adapt their pricing and business models. The panelists discuss the challenges and opportunities for both established companies and startups in this new landscape, emphasizing the importance of defensibility through system integration and the emergence of new, AI-native systems of record. Ultimately, the discussion suggests that while AI will automate many tasks, the need for human connection and uniquely human skills will likely increase in value.
