Brainstorming $10M AI Business Ideas w/ the Airtable Founder - My First Million Recap

Podcast: My First Million

Published: 2025-07-11

Duration: 45 minutes

Guests: Howie Liu

Summary

Howie Liu, founder of Airtable, shares seven AI business ideas he would pursue if he were starting over, ranging from AI-powered live shopping avatars to uncensored AI search engines. The conversation explores how AI can transform industries and create billion-dollar opportunities.

What Happened

Howie Liu, the founder of Airtable, joins Sam Parr to brainstorm $10M AI business ideas that could scale to larger opportunities. Liu begins with the concept of AI-powered live shopping avatars, inspired by successful models in Asia, and highlights platforms like TikTok and Whatnot. He shares how avatars could simulate one-on-one interactions with influencers to drive ecommerce sales, mentioning HeyGen as an example of avatar technology already in use for personalized videos.

Next, Liu discusses AI personalized news aggregators. He envisions a system that automatically curates and summarizes content based on individual interests, creating an interactive experience akin to speaking with a knowledgeable friend. He draws parallels to his previous company, The Hustle, which manually personalized newsletters, and suggests AI could scale and improve this model.

The duo explores the idea of AI personal finance advisors, where avatars provide strategic financial planning tailored to individuals. Liu contrasts this with traditional wealth advisors, explaining how AI could democratize high-level financial advice and make it accessible to users of tools like Kubera or Addepar.

Liu then describes a PE model using AI to automate traditional businesses, such as property management firms. He shares an example from Germany where AI is used to streamline operations without cutting jobs, increasing margins significantly. This approach, he argues, could transform labor-intensive industries.

The conversation shifts to productivity tools like cursor for email, where Liu suggests blending AI into existing workflows rather than replacing them. He imagines email clients that not only categorize messages but also perform research across accounts and provide actionable recommendations, citing startups like Chief.so as examples of where this innovation could go.

Liu raises the possibility of AI-native consumer social apps, where entire networks or chat groups feature AI avatars. He compares this potential to previous technological shifts like the transition from linear TV to internet platforms, emphasizing the unpredictability of consumer behaviors in an AI-driven era.

Finally, Liu touches on uncensored AI search, referencing Grok by Elon Musk as an example of pushing boundaries in AI interactions. He argues that removing safety features could lead to more engaging and personalized AI experiences, though it raises ethical questions about censorship and cultural norms.

Key Insights

• AI-powered live shopping avatars, inspired by TikTok and Whatnot, could mimic one-on-one influencer interactions to drive ecommerce sales. Companies like HeyGen are already using avatar tech for personalized videos, hinting at a scalable future for this approach.
• AI personal finance advisors could make high-level financial planning accessible to the masses. Unlike traditional wealth advisors, tools like Kubera or Addepar could integrate AI to provide tailored strategies for users at a fraction of the cost.
• In Germany, AI is being used to automate property management firms, increasing margins without cutting jobs. This model suggests AI could transform labor-intensive industries by streamlining operations while preserving employment.
• Uncensored AI search, like Elon Musk's Grok, proposes a controversial trade-off: more engaging and personalized results at the cost of removing safety features. This approach raises ethical questions about where to draw the line in AI interactions.

Key Questions Answered

What AI business ideas did Howie Liu share on My First Million?

Howie Liu outlined seven AI business ideas, including live shopping avatars, personalized news aggregators, personal finance advisors, a PE model for business automation, and AI-native social apps. He emphasized their scalability and potential to disrupt industries.

How does Kubera integrate with AI for personal finance?

Kubera aggregates financial accounts and connects with AI tools like ChatGPT to offer personalized financial advice. Users can export data in JSON format and ask AI questions about budgeting, investments, and future planning.

What is Grok, Elon Musk's uncensored AI search engine?

Grok is an AI product by Elon Musk that removes traditional safety features to allow more explicit and personalized interactions. Liu highlights Grok as an example of pushing boundaries in AI communication.