In this episode, we talk with Shawn Jaques, Head of Product Marketing at Feedly, where he leads the company's efforts in developing AI-driven market and security intelligence tools. With over 30 years of experience in product marketing, business development, and strategy at companies like IBM, GitHub, and Tricentis, Shawn has a unique perspective on the evolution of technology and the challenges of scaling businesses in competitive industries.

Shawn explains how Feedly has transformed from a widely-used news aggregation app to a sophisticated AI-powered platform that helps businesses make sense of complex data streams. Whether it’s tracking market trends, competitive analysis, or providing advanced threat intelligence, Feedly's AI capabilities filter and surface only the most relevant data from a vast array of open-source information. Shawn provides insight into how the platform's customizable AI models help companies gain valuable intelligence, giving them a competitive edge in their industry.

We also explore the critical role AI plays in modern business decision-making. Shawn shares how Feedly integrates machine learning to help clients cut through the noise of endless data, whether for market analysis or security threat monitoring. He dives into the importance of customer feedback and how Feedly collaborates with users during the beta stages to ensure product-market fit, optimizing tools before launching them to the broader market. This constant feedback loop allows Feedly to maintain a customer-centric approach while staying agile in an ever-evolving tech landscape.

In this conversation, Shawn discusses the challenges of differentiating AI products in a crowded market. As AI technology advances at a rapid pace, keeping up with innovation while delivering unique, reliable solutions remains a key focus for Feedly. He also shares some personal concerns about the future of open-source data and its potential implications for smaller companies as AI continues to evolve.

As the episode wraps up, Shawn shares his advice for entrepreneurs and businesses navigating growth challenges. His approach focuses on embracing challenges head-on, breaking down problems into manageable parts, and pushing past fear to achieve success.

To connect with Shawn, you can find him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnjaques/ or email him at shawn@feedly.com. For marketing and AI services, visit https://nextgengrowth.com.