Ep 143: JD Ross on the New Invention Era & Building with AI in 2026 - Joe Lonsdale: American Optimist Recap

Podcast: Joe Lonsdale: American Optimist

Published: 2026-02-27

Duration: 36 min

Summary

JD Ross discusses the transformative impact of AI on entrepreneurship and how it is ushering in a new era of invention. He emphasizes the rapid pace of change in technology and the opportunities it creates for builders and innovators.

What Happened

In this episode, Joe Lonsdale sits down with JD Ross, a serial entrepreneur and founder of the fast-growing AI company With Coverage. JD shares insights about the current landscape of technology, highlighting that we're in an 'invention era' where the capabilities of AI are evolving at an unprecedented pace. He notes that the transformation in how companies are built is so significant that none of their full-time engineers write code in the traditional sense anymore; instead, they rely on advanced tools like Codex and Cloud Code, which streamline the development process by integrating AI into every aspect of their work.

JD reflects on his own journey from starting a trucking business in college to founding Opendoor and now With Coverage. He attributes his entrepreneurial spirit to his upbringing, where the mindset was always geared towards problem-solving and innovation. He believes that this current moment holds incredible potential for entrepreneurs, as AI allows for the creation of new industries and careers that were unimaginable just a few years ago. The conversation delves into the importance of providing exceptional service, particularly in industries that have traditionally relied on human expertise, like real estate and insurance.

Key Insights