Ashton Kutcher sees AI shaping every business

At TechCrunch Disrupt 2024, Ashton Kutcher, co-founder of Sound Ventures, shared his belief that every company will eventually incorporate AI, though he doubts there will be a single “winner” in the space. Kutcher emphasised the transformative potential of foundational AI models, which he views as essential to future innovation across industries. “There will not be a company in the world that is not, in some way, using AI,” he noted, adding that foundational companies in AI could become some of the most valuable in history.

Kutcher, alongside Sound co-founders Guy Oseary and Effie Epstein, explained that Sound Ventures is betting heavily on AI, with a $265 million fund backing major AI firms like OpenAI and Anthropic. Kutcher also shared that OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, supported Sound’s multi-company AI investments, with the firm carefully maintaining confidentiality across its portfolio.

While some are apprehensive about AI’s rapid growth, Kutcher compared the technology’s potential impact to transformative past innovations like personal computers and cars. Advising founders, he highlighted the importance of strong teams over polished pitch decks, noting that real value lies in people, market insight, and breakthrough ideas.