AI Disruptors: How the Next Generation of Business is Being Built

At DigitalOcean's Deploy 2026 conference, a panel of AI startup founders discussed the challenges and insights gained from scaling agentic products, emphasizing that the core value lies beyond simply accessing powerful AI models. The founders, including Angela Hoover of Andi AI, Alex Mashrabov of Higgsfield AI, Hovsep Seraydarian of LawVo, and Peter Elias of Probably, highlighted the importance of integrating human expertise with AI to enhance reliability, the necessity of robust measurement infrastructure, and the strategic selection of models based on cost, latency, intelligence, and capacity. They argued that true differentiation in the AI market stems from solving real-world problems, ensuring product reliability, and leveraging unique data insights. Despite the potential for AI systems to operate autonomously, human oversight remains crucial to maintain accuracy and prevent costly errors, as demonstrated by LawVo's reliance on human lawyers to verify AI-generated legal advice. The panelists concluded that understanding customer needs and ensuring product-market fit are essential for transitioning AI from a mere demo to a viable product, with the execution and continuous improvement of these systems serving as the ultimate competitive edge.