Everyone is talking about Zero-Day AI, but 99% of founders are doing it wrong. I learned the hard way so you don't have to.
I’ve been in the Silicon Valley game for a while now. I’ve seen trends come and go. I’ve had two successful exits, RemoteTeam which was acquired by Gusto and MovieLaLa which was acquired by Gfycat. I’ve also angel invested in over 200 companies, including some of the biggest names in AI like Anthropic, OpenAI, Scale AI, and Hugging Face. So when I see a new trend emerging, I pay attention. And right now, the trend that has everyone buzzing is Zero-Day AI.
But here’s the thing: most people are getting it wrong. They’re so focused on the “zero-day” part that they’re forgetting about the “AI” part. They’re building solutions that are technically impressive but practically useless. They’re not solving real-world problems, and they’re not creating real value.
I’ve seen this movie before. It’s the same story with every new technology. Everyone gets excited about the possibilities, but they forget about the fundamentals. They forget that technology is just a tool. It’s a means to an end, not an end in itself.
What is Zero-Day AI?
Before we go any further, let’s define what we’re talking about. Zero-Day AI refers to AI systems that can identify and exploit vulnerabilities in software that are unknown to the vendor. In other words, these are AI systems that can find and use “zero-day” exploits.
This is a big deal. Zero-day exploits are the holy grail for hackers. They’re the most valuable and the most dangerous. And now, we have AI systems that can find them automatically. This has the potential to completely change the cybersecurity landscape.
But here’s the dark side of Zero-Day AI: it’s not just about finding vulnerabilities. It’s also about using them. And that’s where things get complicated.
The Dangers of Zero-Day AI
I’ve seen firsthand how dangerous zero-day exploits can be. When I was at MovieLaLa, we were targeted by a sophisticated phishing attack that used a zero-day exploit in a popular browser. The attackers were able to gain access to our internal network and steal sensitive data. It was a nightmare.
Now, imagine that same attack, but supercharged with AI. Imagine an AI system that can not only find zero-day exploits but also use them to launch automated, large-scale attacks. That’s the world we’re heading into. And it’s a scary one.
But the dangers of Zero-Day AI are not just external. They’re also internal. I’ve seen founders get so caught up in the hype of Zero-Day AI that they lose sight of their mission. They start building products that are more about showing off their technical skills than solving real problems. They become more interested in the “how” than the “what.”
This is a trap. It’s a trap that I’ve seen many founders fall into. And it’s a trap that you need to avoid.
How to Do Zero-Day AI Right
So, how do you do Zero-Day AI right? How do you build a successful company in this space without falling into the traps?
Here are a few things I’ve learned:
- Focus on the problem, not the technology. Don’t start with the technology and then look for a problem to solve. Start with a real-world problem and then figure out how technology can help you solve it.
- Build a strong team. You can’t do it alone. You need a team of smart, passionate people who are committed to your mission. And you need to give them the resources and the autonomy they need to succeed.
- Be patient. Building a successful company takes time. There will be ups and downs. There will be times when you want to give up. But if you’re passionate about what you’re doing, and if you have a strong team behind you, you’ll eventually succeed.
I know this all sounds like common sense. But you’d be surprised how many founders forget these basic principles. They get so caught up in the hype of the latest technology that they lose sight of what’s really important.
Don’t be one of those founders. If you’re going to get into the Zero-Day AI game, do it for the right reasons. Do it because you want to solve a real problem. Do it because you want to make a real impact. And do it with a team of people who share your vision and your values.
If you do that, you’ll not only build a successful company, but you’ll also make the world a better place. And that’s what really matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How has this view evolved over time?
My thinking on most topics has changed significantly over the years. Early in my career, I held many conventional views that experience proved wrong. I try to update my beliefs when the evidence changes.
Do all experts agree with this view?
No, and that's fine. The best ideas in business are often contrarian. I share my perspective based on my experience and data, but I encourage you to seek out opposing viewpoints and form your own conclusions.
What experience informs this perspective?
This perspective comes from over a decade of building companies in Silicon Valley, two successful exits (RemoteTeam to Gusto, MovieLaLa to Gfycat), and investing in 200+ startups including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Scale AI. I write about what I've lived.
What's the most common pushback you get on this?
People often push back by citing exceptions or edge cases. And they're usually right that exceptions exist. But building a strategy around exceptions rather than patterns is a losing game for most founders.