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

As the world of technology continues to evolve, AI is playing an increasingly important role in shaping the future of various industries. From Expedia to Burger King, companies are leveraging AI to improve their products and services. According to Xavi Amatriain, Expedia Group's first chief AI and data officer, evals are the new PRD, which is a significant shift in how companies approach product development.

Expedia's AI Strategy

Xavi Amatriain's statement at the VB Transform 2026 conference highlights the importance of evals in product development. By encoding what a product should do through evals, companies can ensure that their products meet the required standards. This approach also involves red teaming evals and other security requirements, which are essential for developing robust products.

As reported by VentureBeat, Amatriain emphasized the significance of AI-assisted or AI-generated code in the future of product development. This approach will enable companies to develop products more efficiently and effectively. With the increasing use of AI in various industries, it is essential for companies to adapt to this new reality and leverage AI to improve their products and services.

The use of evals in product development is a relatively new concept, and it will be interesting to see how companies adopt this approach in the future. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see more companies leveraging evals to improve their products and services. According to VentureBeat, this approach has the potential to revolutionize the way companies develop products, and it will be exciting to see the impact it has on the industry.

Atlassian's Approach to AI Adoption

Atlassian's research shows that organizations should approach AI adoption at the team level, rather than the individual level, to achieve true ROI. This approach is based on the idea that AI should be used to enhance team collaboration, rather than just individual productivity. As reported by VentureBeat, Dr. Molly Sands, head of the Teamwork Lab at Atlassian, emphasized the importance of this approach during a fireside chat at VB Transform 2026.

According to Sands, most companies are approaching AI adoption backwards by optimizing how individuals use AI instead of how teams work together. This approach can lead to inefficient use of AI and limited ROI. By focusing on team-level AI adoption, companies can unlock the full potential of AI and achieve significant benefits.

The context behind this approach is that AI is not just a tool for individual productivity, but rather a technology that can enhance team collaboration and improve overall performance. As companies continue to adopt AI, it is essential to consider the team-level approach to maximize the benefits of this technology. VentureBeat reports that Atlassian's research has shown that this approach can lead to significant improvements in team productivity and overall ROI.

Burger King's Response to the GLP-1 Trend

Burger King President has stated that the GLP-1 trend will have a profound impact on fast food restaurants. According to Entrepreneur, Wall Street thinks that GLP-1s could cost the industry up to $55 billion a year. In response to this trend, Burger King is taking proactive steps to adapt to the changing landscape.

The GLP-1 trend refers to the growing demand for food products that are low in calories and high in protein. This trend is driven by the increasing awareness of health and wellness among consumers. As reported by Entrepreneur, Burger King is not waiting to find out the impact of this trend and is instead taking proactive steps to adapt to the changing landscape.

The context behind this trend is that consumers are becoming more health-conscious and are looking for food options that are low in calories and high in protein. This trend is driven by the growing awareness of health and wellness, and it is expected to continue in the future. According to Entrepreneur, Burger King's response to this trend is a significant development in the fast food industry, and it will be interesting to see how other companies respond to this trend.

Bluecore Energy's Funding Round

Bluecore Energy has raised $10 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Slauson & Co. According to TechCrunch, this funding round will be used to build portable nuclear reactors on barges. This development is significant, as it highlights the growing interest in maritime nuclear energy.

The context behind this development is that maritime nuclear energy is a growing field, and companies are looking for innovative solutions to meet the increasing demand for energy. According to TechCrunch, Bluecore Energy's approach to building portable nuclear reactors on barges is a unique solution that has the potential to revolutionize the maritime energy industry.

The bottom line

In conclusion, the stories highlighted above demonstrate the significant impact of AI on various industries. From Expedia to Burger King, companies are leveraging AI to improve their products and services. The use of evals in product development, team-level AI adoption, and the response to the GLP-1 trend are all significant developments that highlight the importance of AI in the modern business landscape.

• Companies should leverage evals to improve their product development processes.
• Team-level AI adoption is essential to achieve true ROI.
• The GLP-1 trend will have a profound impact on the fast food industry.
• Maritime nuclear energy is a growing field, and companies are looking for innovative solutions to meet the increasing demand for energy.