Our CEO, Vadim Peskov, recently chatted with Charles Cormier on the CEO Wisdom Podcast about where AI is headed, the power of open-source models, and how automation is reshaping business. Charles is a visionary entrepreneur, biohacker, AI podcaster, and 50X Founder, so the conversation was packed with insights about the fast-moving world of AI.
With over 17 years in software development, Vadim has been at the forefront of AI-driven transformation. As the CEO and co-founder of Diffco, an award-winning software development company, he has helped numerous startups and enterprises build cutting-edge AI-powered solutions. Beyond leading Diffco, Vadim also advises multiple tech startups, guiding them through the complexities of AI adoption and product development.
AI Is Moving Faster Than Ever
“Every day in AI is the most exciting day yet,” Vadim said. Just a few years ago, transformer models were a niche topic—now they’re everywhere. With things evolving at lightning speed, businesses need to stay flexible and find ways to make AI work for them.
DeepSeek R1: Overhyped or a Game-Changer?
A big topic in the discussion was DeepSeek R1. While the chatbot itself has its flaws, the real magic is in its open-source model. “It’s not about the chatbot—it’s about having control. You can run it on your own infrastructure, keep your data private, and cut costs,” Vadim explained. Instead of relying on expensive proprietary AI solutions, businesses now have a powerful alternative.
AI Agents: The Future of Work?
AI isn’t here to replace humans (yet), but it’s already proving to be a game-changing assistant. Vadim talked about AI agents and their role in automation:
“We’re heading toward a world where AI can act like an entry-level employee—handling research, automating workflows, and making businesses more efficient.”
Should Startups Build Their Own AI Models?
For startups, one of the big questions is whether to build a proprietary AI model or use an existing one. Vadim’s take? It depends.
“If privacy and control are key, open-source is a great option. But in many cases, mixing open and proprietary models can be the smartest approach,” he shared. Models like Llama or DeepSeek let startups tap into high-quality AI without the massive costs.
The Real AI Challenge: Infrastructure
AI isn’t just about data and algorithms—it’s also about the power behind it. Vadim pointed out a key challenge:
“The real resource here isn’t just data—it’s electricity.”
With AI requiring huge amounts of computational power, companies will need to think about sustainable energy solutions. That’s why OpenAI and other big players are already investing in energy efficiency and alternative power sources.
Key Takeaways
AI is a tool, not the end goal. The real winners will be the businesses that learn how to use AI effectively—whether through open-source models, smart automation, or strategic model choices.
Want to hear more from Vadim? Connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Stay tuned for more insights as we keep exploring the ever-changing world of AI!
