Guidance For AI Startups In 2026

Guidance For AI Startups In 2026 distills lessons from the Imagination in Action event, where a panel of leaders discussed building AI ventures responsibly. Panelists including Jonathan Tushman of Hi Marley, Jordan Hayashi of Bizen, and Cecilia Liu of Intuitive Motion described practical deployment considerations. Hayashi emphasized meeting customers where they are and on-site data capture to ensure AI is usable in daily workflows. Liu argued that AI should address real-world tasks, not just art, highlighting end-to-end AI-enabled robots tackling dirty work. Tushman warned about compliance, noting SOC standards and the implications of insurer audits on deploying nondeterministic AI systems. The discussion stressed practical adoption, sector-focused pilots, and regulatory risk management as AI startups scale.