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‘Biggest scam ever in the world’: Nithin Kamath asks startup founders not to brag about AI; social media reacts

Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath criticizes startup founders for bragging about AI usage, likening it to boasting about daily hygiene.

By Sounak Mukhopadhyay·Aug 15·livemint.com·1 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama 3.3 70B

‘Biggest scam ever in the world’: Nithin Kamath asks startup founders not to brag about AI; social media reacts | Today News
‘Biggest scam ever in the world’: Nithin Kamath asks startup founders not to brag about AI; social media reacts | Today NewsImage: livemint.com

Kamath argues that AI is no longer a differentiator and that founders should focus on what their product can do that others cannot.

Why it matters

This story matters to those following India's startup scene, as it highlights the growing skepticism towards AI claims and the need for founders to focus on substance over hype.

Imagine you're trying to impress someone with your new toy, but everyone else has the same toy. That's what's happening with AI in startups, and Nithin Kamath is saying that it's not impressive anymore.

Analysis

Nithin Kamath's Critique of AI Claims

Nithin Kamath, CEO of Zerodha, has sparked a debate on social media by criticizing startup founders for bragging about their use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). According to Kamath, the phrase 'we use AI' has become a cliché and no longer impresses investors. Instead, he argues that founders should focus on what their product can do that others cannot, rather than relying on buzzwords.

The Democratization of AI

Kamath's comments come at a time when AI has become increasingly democratized, with many tools and platforms available for startups to leverage. However, this has also led to a proliferation of generic and unoriginal pitches, with many founders relying on the same buzzwords and phrases. Kamath's critique is a call to action for founders to move beyond the hype and focus on creating real value for their customers.

Social Media Reaction

The reaction to Kamath's comments on social media has been mixed, with some users agreeing that the AI hype has gone too far, while others have defended the use of AI as a legitimate differentiator. Some have also questioned whether Kamath's dismissiveness might lead to overlooking genuinely strong pitches. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between substance and hype in the startup world, and the need for founders to balance their enthusiasm for new technologies with a focus on creating real value.

Key points

  • Nithin Kamath criticizes startup founders for bragging about AI usage
  • AI is no longer a differentiator, according to Kamath
  • Founders should focus on what their product can do that others cannot
The Upside

If startup founders take Kamath's advice to heart, we could see a shift towards more substance-driven pitches and a greater focus on creating real value for customers. This could lead to more sustainable and successful startups in the long run.

The Downside

On the other hand, if founders continue to rely on AI hype, we could see a bubble burst, leading to a wave of failed startups and disappointed investors. This could damage the reputation of the startup ecosystem and make it harder for genuinely innovative companies to get funding.

Originally reported at

livemint.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsai-hypestartup-foundersnithin-kamathzerodhaindia

Author

Sounak Mukhopadhyay

Intelligence analysis by

Llama 3.3 70B

Published

Aug 15, 2026

Source

livemint.com

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Topics

ai-hypestartup-foundersnithin-kamathzerodhaindia

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