What if social media interactions were exclusively powered by AI? This week on Something New, Steph and Leeor talk with Michael Sayman, a social media prodigy and founder of Social AI, an innovative platform where AI personalities engage users in place of traditional social connections. Michael, who started his career at Facebook as a teenager, shares how his journey through the tech industry shaped his thinking and led him to reimagine what social networks could be.

In this episode, Michael discusses his early days developing apps and meeting Mark Zuckerberg, his insights on the vulnerabilities of tech giants like Meta, and his motivation for launching Social AI. He explains how Social AI aims to redefine the concept of social interactions by using AI to create dynamic, engaging conversations without human users. Michael also explores the role of iteration in product development and how AI might transform our interactions online by offering a new, personalized way to “talk” with the internet itself. Steph and Leeor also discuss an unexpected discovery on Twitter—a mysterious account under the name “Arfhur Rock”, which has been anonymously revealing insider information about private funding rounds and company metrics before they’re public. The account, which resembles past VC anonymous accounts like “Genuine Info,” has already gained a cult following for its accurate predictions and details, leaving Steph and Leeor wondering about the identity and motivations of the person behind it. This discovery sets the stage for a lively conversation with their guest, Michael Sayman, on innovation and transparency in tech.

Key Discussion Points:

Michael’s Journey into Tech: How a teenage Michael caught the attention of Facebook, beginning a career that included roles at Google, Roblox, Twitter, and more.
Insights on Social Media’s Evolution: Michael’s perspective on how social platforms must innovate without the safety net of hardware, and how Meta’s product challenges influenced his approach.
The Concept of Social AI: Social AI’s unique model of using AI personalities to simulate social engagement, expanding the role of social media beyond person-to-person interactions.
Building Through Iteration: Why experimenting with rapid iterations is central to creating meaningful social products.
AI and Social Interaction: Michael’s vision of how AI can enhance the social experience, allowing users to interact directly with vast online data in engaging, customizable ways.

Guest Info: Michael Sayman is a tech entrepreneur and the founder of Social AI, a groundbreaking social network that combines AI technology with social media to create a novel user experience. Michael started developing apps as a young teen, which led to an early career at Facebook and roles in other top tech companies. Through Social AI, he is pioneering a new kind of digital interaction, inviting users to explore conversations in a world populated by AI.

Follow Leeor on Twitter at @lmushin and Steph on Twitter at [@stephmui]. Discover more episodes at SomethingNewPod.com.