Pinecone CEO Edo Liberty Highlights Search as the Next AI Frontier at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Key Points
- Edo Liberty, Pinecone CEO, spoke at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco.
- He emphasized that smarter search, not larger models, will drive the next AI wave.
- Retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG) and purpose‑built infrastructure are key focus areas.
- Vector databases and high‑performance infrastructure enable fast, accurate data retrieval.
- Liberty’s background includes building Amazon’s AI backbone.
- Pinecone serves hundreds of thousands of developers and enterprise teams with next‑gen search.
- Disrupt 2025 attracted over 10,000 startup and VC leaders.
- Passes offered a savings of up to $668, with the discount ending after September 26.
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco, Pinecone founder and CEO Edo Liberty explained why the next wave of AI‑native applications will be driven by smarter search rather than larger models. He emphasized retrieval‑augmented generation, purpose‑built infrastructure, and the role of vector databases in unlocking AI potential. Liberty, who helped build Amazon’s AI backbone, described how Pinecone is scaling next‑gen search for hundreds of thousands of developers and enterprise teams, positioning search as the central differentiator for future AI workflows.
Setting the Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 took place at Moscone West in San Francisco from October 27 to October 29, drawing more than 10,000 startup and venture‑capital leaders. Among the marquee events was an AI Stage fireside chat featuring Pinecone founder and CEO Edo Liberty.
Why Search, Not Bigger Models, Is the Future
Liberty argued that the next big breakthrough in artificial intelligence will start with search. He noted that as AI becomes embedded in every workflow, the real differentiator is not merely the algorithm but the ability to access and use the right data at the right time. In his view, retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG) and purpose‑built infrastructure represent the next frontier, with search at the core.
Technology Foundations: Vector Databases and High‑Performance Infrastructure
The discussion highlighted how vector databases and high‑performance infrastructure are unlocking the full potential of AI‑native apps. By enabling fast, accurate retrieval of relevant information, these technologies allow developers to build smarter, more scalable applications across industries.
Liberty’s Background and Pinecone’s Mission
Before founding Pinecone, Liberty helped build the backbone of AI at Amazon. Today, Pinecone is scaling next‑generation search for hundreds of thousands of developers and enterprise teams, providing the infrastructure needed for RAG‑driven solutions.
Call to Action for Attendees
Liberty encouraged participants to explore Pinecone’s platform as a roadmap for where the AI ecosystem is heading. He also mentioned that passes to Disrupt 2025 were available with a savings of up to $668, with the discount ending after September 26.