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VC predicts the consumer AI products OpenAI ‘won’t want to kill’

January 7, 2026
Rebecca Bellan, Theresa Loconsolo
TechCrunch
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**Exploring the Future of Consumer AI Products** In a world where technology changes fast, it’s exciting to think about the future of consumer AI. This article dives into insights from Vanessa Larco, a key player in the venture capital scene. With years of experience investing in consumer and prosumer markets, she's got a strong sense of what to expect in the coming years. **A Shift in Online Experiences** Larco predicts that by 2026, we will see a big change in how people spend their time online. Imagine having AI tools that work like personal assistants. These tools won’t just respond to commands but will understand your needs and preferences. This “concierge-like” service means that your online experience could become much smoother and more tailored to you. **What This Means for Consumers** For everyday users, this shift is valuable. It suggests that AI will help us navigate our digital lives more easily. Whether it’s making decisions about purchases or finding new content to enjoy, AI could enhance our online interactions. Larco’s vision highlights how technology has the potential to improve our daily lives in

Vanessa Larco, partner at Premise and former partner at NEA, thinks 2026 will finally be the year of consumer AI.  Larco, who’s been investing in consumer and prosumer for years, thinks we’re about to see a shift in how consumers spend time online, with AI powering “concierge-like” services. The question is, will legacy consumer products […]

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