Why the next AI frontier is phone calls, with Beside CEO Maxime Germain

The ACCESS Podcast covers the week's biggest moves in AI, tech, and media. This week, we dive into the industry shake-up: OpenAI is reportedly at a "Code Red" over Google's Gemini gains, while Apple and Meta are battling fiercely for top AI talent. We also touch on Netflix bidding for Warner Brothers as Paramount watches. Then, we sit down with special guest Maxime Germain, Founder and CEO of Beside. Beside is the AI receptionist answering millions of calls for over 20,000 businesses. Maxime shares the story of Beside, which spent 18 months in stealth under the name M1 and has already reached $4 million in Annual Recurring Revenue. We discuss: How Beside handles 2.5 million phone calls per month. Building an AI startup in Europe versus the US. Why they chose to build an "AI Receptionist" instead of another "meeting" app, focusing on the "real economy". Their long-term plan to become a full mobile carrier with SIM-level integration. Thoughts on AI memory and why everyone says their moats are disappearing daily. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices