Stop using AI: Nithin Kamath to founders

Zerodha's founder Nithin Kamath has advised startup founders against making artificial intelligence (AI) the main focus in their investor pitch decks. In a recent post on X, Kamath criticized the increasing number of startups that start their pitch decks with claims about using AI, stating that it has become too common in the industry.

He argued that AI has now reached a point where it is considered a "table stakes" requirement, and founders should show what sets their product apart from others instead of using AI as a selling point. Kamath explained that mentioning AI does not automatically make a startup stand out or warrant funding, as investors still need to see the problem being solved and the value the product provides.

He also warned that starting a pitch deck with AI could make investors lose interest, as most serious venture capitalists (VCs) would likely ignore such presentations. Additionally, Kamath highlighted that the ease of creating professional-looking pitch decks using generative AI has led to an increase in similar presentations, making it harder for startups to differentiate themselves.