On the 31st episode of Enterprise Software Innovators, hosts Evan Reiser (Abnormal Security) and Saam Motamedi (Greylock Partners) talk with Pranab Sinha, CIO of Matterport. Matterport is a next-generation virtual modeling tool that uses 3D-scanning technology and machine learning to create immersive digital replicas of physical spaces. In this conversation, Pranab shares how Matterport uses the latest AI capabilities to enhance their products, the importance of a cohesive AI data strategy, and upcoming AI use cases he's most excited about. 

Matterport, a pioneering force in virtual modeling, is on a mission to digitize physical spaces using cutting-edge technologies like 3D scanning and machine learning. Pranab discusses the company's evolution and expansion journey. From initially focusing on residential real estate to branching out into commercial spaces, construction, insurance, and manufacturing, Matterport's digital twin technology, powered by the advanced Cortex AI engine, stands at the forefront of digitizing and connecting physical spaces. Pranab's insights show how AI is not just a technological feature but an integral part of Matterport's core strategy. "Our next generation of products is going to be phenomenal. We recently announced our beta product, [with] generative AI technology to do even more around reimagining spaces. The uses of Matterport technology are extensive from our perspective as consumers; we look at it from the residential real estate lens. But you start getting into manufacturing and industrial manufacturing, the factory floors, and you have a digital twin that over time you connect with your IoT and devices and, and your control systems are connected." By combining physical and digital realms seamlessly, the company has created a library with over 10 million spaces and digitized more than 30 billion square feet. The focus of this direction emphasizes how AI is driving insights into properties and physical spaces, with an emphasis on maintaining photorealistic and dimensionally accurate digital twins.

Pranab delves into Matterport's evolution, from its early days as a hardware-centric company to embracing a device-agnostic approach. He sheds light on the critical role of a robust data fabric infrastructure, ensuring data security, privacy, and ethical use in an era where vast amounts of physical space are digitized. This shift in the company's focus emphasizes how Matterport's commitment to innovation extends beyond technology to encompass responsible and secure data practices. The shift towards a device-agnostic model also highlights the company's adaptability to changing technologies and user needs. By using a smartphone to capture a physical space, Matterport is making strides in accessibility and usability, reflecting the company's commitment to continuous improvement. The importance of democratizing data and ensuring the creation of a reliable digital twin of physical spaces emerges as a critical theme. "One of the big things we pride ourselves on is the data we get and how we train our models. Trust is a big thing. Data security is the biggest thing. And so when you put your physical space on our digital twin platform, we want to ensure you have absolute confidence in your data security and privacy and that we are not taking your data and trying to train our models. So we have a data fabric infrastructure that ensures that all those relevant things we are doing today are front and center and get even more relevant as we get into the JNI product."

Matterport has already begun showcasing how generative AI technology is set to reimagine spaces and transform entire industries. The potential applications are wide-ranging, from redefining warehouses to optimizing factory floors. Generative AI is positioned as a revolutionary force that transcends traditional boundaries between physical and digital realms. Pranab's insights into generative AI provide a glimpse into the future of technology, where machines understand, replicate, and innovate. The ability to envision spaces, create floor plans, and optimize environments based on captured physical space represents a paradigm shift in how we interact with our surroundings. "AI takes our product to the next level. It lets you reimagine space. It gives you dimensions and the floor plan from the physical space in one shot. You're a warehouse operator, and you have a bunch of customers that put their product. You want to showcase a certain piece of the warehouse to a new prospect coming in. Instead of trying to physically move all that, could you reimagine that space? 'Hey, these guys are going to be selling electronic components, and this is how it should be. This is the lighting requirement. This is the temperature requirement.' All that reimagining happening based on that physical space that you are captured once is going to be the future." The conversation sparks curiosity about the limitless possibilities that generative AI holds for industries and society at large.

These insights from Pranab offer a comprehensive exploration of the transformative power of AI, not just in the tech realm but in reshaping how we perceive and interact with the physical world. The conversation serves as a beacon for tech enthusiasts, urging them to embrace the AI revolution and stay ahead of the curve. Matterport's journey, underpinned by a culture of innovation, serves as an inspiration for companies navigating the complex landscape of AI and emerging technologies. The future unfolds with the promise of AI not just as a technological evolution but as a catalyst for broader transformation, inviting us to navigate this evolving landscape with a keen awareness of its profound impact.

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Listen to Pranab's episode here and read the transcript here.