While acknowledging AI's potential, he emphasized the gradual integration of AI into everyday life

Since Dev Ittycheria assumed leadership at MongoDB, the $26 billion database giant, in September 2014, the company has undergone remarkable transformations. Ittycheria's tenure saw MongoDB's transition to the cloud, an IPO, expansion of its customer base from a few hundred to nearly 50,000, and the launch of a venture capital arm. In a recent interview with TechCrunch at MongoDB's new London office, Ittycheria reflected on the company's journey and the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI).

"When I joined the company, it wasn't clear if people would trust us to be a truly mission-critical technology," Ittycheria recalled, noting MongoDB's revenue growth from $30 million to close to $2 billion. However, MongoDB faced challenges, including a security breach five months ago that momentarily threatened its reputation.

Amidst these developments, Ittycheria addressed the hype surrounding AI, cautioning against inflated expectations. While acknowledging AI's potential, he emphasized the gradual integration of AI into everyday life. He likened the current stage of AI development to the early days of the App Store, with "simple apps" dominating the landscape. MongoDB itself is exploring AI applications, such as internal chatbots for customer service powered by MongoDB's vector search technology. Looking ahead, Ittycheria envisioned sophisticated AI applications leveraging real-time data for timely decision-making, particularly in areas like financial markets.

As the AI revolution unfolds, Ittycheria emphasized MongoDB's role in enabling businesses to build applications harnessing the power of AI technologies. While the journey towards widespread AI adoption may be gradual, Ittycheria remains optimistic about the transformative potential of AI in the future.