VCs discuss why most consumer AI startups still lack staying power; plus, Whole Foods to install smart food waste bins from Mill

Consumer generative AI applications currently occupy an "awkward teenage" middle ground, mirroring the early smartphone era when basic utilities preceded transformative platforms like Uber. Investors Chi-Hua Chien and Elizabeth Weil suggest that while specialized tools like AI financial advisors and ubiquitous tutors are imminent, the smartphone's lack of ambient awareness may necessitate new hardware—such as smart glasses or screenless devices—to unlock AI's full potential. Conversely, AI-driven social networks face skepticism for reducing human interaction to a "single-player game" lacking authentic connection. Beyond software, the tech industry is addressing sustainability through the startup Mill’s new partnership with Amazon. This initiative will deploy data-tracking waste bins across Whole Foods locations to dehydrate produce scraps and convert them into chicken feed for the grocery chain’s egg suppliers, directly tackling the 43 billion pounds of food wasted annually in U.S. retail stores.