Evals are the new PRD, Expedia’s AI chief tells VB Transform 2026

As the world of artificial intelligence continues to evolve, companies are finding new ways to implement and utilize AI to improve their products and services. Expedia Group's chief AI and data officer, Xavi Amatriain, recently spoke about the importance of evals in product development. Atlassian is also making waves with its research on team-level AI adoption.

Expedia's AI Strategy

Xavi Amatriain, Expedia Group's first chief AI and data officer, told the VB Transform 2026 audience that evals are the new PRD, according to VentureBeat. This means that companies should focus on encoding what they want their products to do through evals, which include red teaming evals and other security requirements. By doing so, companies can embed these requirements into their product design documents before even starting to code.

Amatriain also discussed the future of AI-assisted or AI-generated code, stating that it will change the way companies approach product development. As reported by VentureBeat, he believes that this will be the future of coding, with all thinking going into the evals and product design documents before coding begins.

This approach to product development is a significant shift from traditional methods, where coding is often the first step. By focusing on evals and product design, companies can create more efficient and effective products. As noted by VentureBeat, this approach also highlights the importance of security requirements in product development.

For companies looking to implement this approach, it's essential to understand the role of evals in product development. According to VentureBeat, evals are a critical component of the product development process, and companies should prioritize them when creating new products. By doing so, companies can create products that meet their desired outcomes and are more efficient and effective.

Atlassian's Research on Team-Level AI Adoption

Atlassian's research shows that companies should approach AI adoption at the team level, rather than the individual level, to achieve true ROI, as reported by VentureBeat. Dr. Molly Sands, head of the Teamwork Lab at Atlassian, discussed this approach during a fireside chat at VB Transform 2026. She stated that most companies are approaching AI adoption backwards by optimizing how individuals use AI instead of how teams work together.

Sands leads a team of behavioral scientists and psychologists who study how AI is reshaping the way people work together. According to VentureBeat, her team uses these findings to help organizations redesign how work gets done. By focusing on team-level AI adoption, companies can create more effective and efficient workflows.

This approach to AI adoption is critical for companies looking to get the most out of their AI investments. As noted by VentureBeat, companies that focus on individual-level AI adoption often see limited returns on their investments. By contrast, companies that approach AI adoption at the team level can see significant improvements in productivity and efficiency.

For companies looking to implement this approach, it's essential to understand the importance of teamwork in AI adoption. According to VentureBeat, companies should prioritize team-level AI adoption to achieve true ROI. By doing so, companies can create more effective and efficient workflows and get the most out of their AI investments.

Threads Rolls Out Parental Supervision Tools

Threads, a social media platform, has rolled out new parental supervision tools, as reported by TechCrunch. These tools allow parents and guardians to view their teen's time spent on Threads, set daily time limits, adjust sleep mode, and manage their privacy settings. This move is a significant step forward for online safety and parental control.

As noted by TechCrunch, these tools are designed to give parents more control over their child's online activities. By providing these tools, Threads is taking a proactive approach to online safety and parental control. This move is likely to be welcomed by parents and guardians who are concerned about their child's online activities.

For companies looking to implement similar tools, it's essential to understand the importance of online safety and parental control. According to TechCrunch, companies should prioritize online safety and provide parents and guardians with the tools they need to control their child's online activities.

Contextually, online safety and parental control are critical issues in today's digital landscape. As more children spend time online, it's essential for companies to provide parents and guardians with the tools they need to control their child's online activities. By doing so, companies can help create a safer online environment for children.

Instagram's New Audio Replacement Tool

Instagram has introduced a new tool that allows users to swap out the music in their old posts, as reported by TechCrunch. This tool, called Replace Audio, allows users to update the music on their post at any time while keeping the post's existing likes, comments, shares, and reach intact. This move is a significant step forward for user flexibility and creativity.

As noted by TechCrunch, this tool is designed to give users more control over their content. By providing this tool, Instagram is taking a proactive approach to user flexibility and creativity. This move is likely to be welcomed by users who want to update their old posts with new music.

For companies looking to implement similar tools, it's essential to understand the importance of user flexibility and creativity. According to TechCrunch, companies should prioritize user flexibility and provide users with the tools they need to control their content.

Contextually, user flexibility and creativity are critical issues in today's digital landscape. As more users create and share content online, it's essential for companies to provide users with the tools they need to control their content. By doing so, companies can help create a more flexible and creative online environment.

Google's New Gemini Models

Google has released three new Gemini models, including the Gemini 3.6 Flash, 3.5 Flash-Lite, and Flash Cyber, as reported by TechCrunch. However, the continued absence of the Gemini 3.5 Pro raises fresh questions about Google's AI strategy. This move is a significant step forward for Google's AI offerings, but the lack of a Pro model is notable.

As noted by TechCrunch, the new Gemini models are designed to improve Google's AI capabilities. By releasing these models, Google is taking a proactive approach to AI innovation. However, the lack of a Pro model is likely to be seen as a disappointment by some users.

For companies looking to implement similar AI strategies, it's essential to understand the importance of AI innovation. According to TechCrunch, companies should prioritize AI innovation and provide users with the tools they need to control their AI experiences.

Contextually, AI innovation is a critical issue in today's digital landscape. As more companies invest in AI, it's essential for companies to prioritize AI innovation and provide users with the tools they need to control their AI experiences. By doing so, companies can help create a more innovative and effective AI environment.

The bottom line

In conclusion, the world of AI is constantly evolving, and companies are finding new ways to implement and utilize AI to improve their products and services. From Expedia's focus on evals to Atlassian's research on team-level AI adoption, it's clear that AI is playing a critical role in shaping the future of industries. As companies continue to innovate and invest in AI, it's essential to prioritize online safety, user flexibility, and AI innovation.

• Companies should focus on evals in product development to create more efficient and effective products.
• Companies should approach AI adoption at the team level, rather than the individual level, to achieve true ROI.
• Companies should prioritize online safety and provide parents and guardians with the tools they need to control their child's online activities.
• Companies should prioritize user flexibility and provide users with the tools they need to control their content.
• Companies should prioritize AI innovation and provide users with the tools they need to control their AI experiences.