David Solomon & Ben Horowitz on Building Organizational Resilience & Navigating Macro Uncertainty
February 2, 2026
AI Summary
5 min read🎙️ The Voices & The Context
- The Format: Moderated panel discussion in a podcast style, blending interviews with casual banter among industry titans.
- The Key Players:
- David Solomon: CEO of Goldman Sachs, sharing 25+ years of firm evolution, strategy, and macro insights; a Wall Street legend steering a 160-year-old powerhouse.
- Ben Horowitz: Co-founder of a16z (Andreessen Horowitz), recounting VC firm growth from post-crisis startup to top-tier player; tech visionary influenced by Andy Grove.
- David Haber: a16z General Partner and moderator, drawing parallels between Goldman and a16z while injecting history and humor.
- The Vibe: Optimistic and educational with sharp wit—professional deep dives into finance/tech laced with self-deprecating jokes and "water cooler" zingers on AI magic and bad funding decisions.
🗝️ Key Themes & Topics
The episode explores how legacy institutions adapt to AI-driven disruption, amid booming markets and policy battles. Main topics: firm evolution, macro tailwinds, AI's competitive shakeup, and tech policy advocacy.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:00) **🎙️ Introduction: David Solomon & Ben Horowitz**
- 2 (03:27) **Goldman Sachs Evolution & Future Focus**
- 3 (10:00) **a16z Evolution & Ambitions**
- 4 (16:11) **Macro Environment Outlook**
- 5 (20:00) **M&A and IPO Expectations**
- 6 (22:29) **AI Reshaping Tech Competition**
- 7 (23:51) **Policy Priorities: Crypto & AI**
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Show Notes
a16z general partner David Haber spoke with Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon and a16z cofounder Ben Horowitz on the current macro environment, enterprise AI adoption, and crypto and AI policy. Solomon describes what he calls the "sweetest spot" he's seen in 40 years and explains Goldman's "One GS 3.0" initiative to reimagine core processes with AI. Horowitz discusses why "leads aren't what they once were" in AI and how a16z grew from a startup VC to capturing 18% of all US venture capital.
Resources:
Follow David Solomon on X: https://twitter.com/DavidSolomon
Follow Ben Horowitz on X: https://twitter.com/bhorowitz
Follow David Haber on X: https://twitter.com/dhaber
Timestamps:
00:00 — Introduction
02:09 — Goldman's Evolution from Partnership to Public Company
08:54 — How a16z Went from Top Tier to 18% of All US Venture Capital
15:33 — "As Sweet a Spot" as Solomon Has Seen in 40 Years
19:00 — M&A Outlook: "Whatever the Question Is, the Answer Is Maybe"
21:33 — Why Leads Aren't What They Once Were in AI
23:03 — Crypto Policy: The Genius Act and Clarity Act
25:24 — AI Policy: "Don't Regulate Math"
28:03 — One GS 3.0: Reimagining Processes with AI
32:54 — Will AI Agents Change Investing?
34:00 — Favorite DJ
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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.
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