“What Sam Altman is paying for is what AI cannot yet give — humanity, taste, and curation. Finally, that is an all-singing, all-dancing proof that designers should have a seat at the table.”
Today’s episode is with Ian Wharton — Designer+Founder, CEO of Aide Health.
We covered a lot of ground:
The OpenAI x Jony Ive deal — and what it signals about design’s value in an AI-led world
Why designer-founders are uniquely positioned to tackle big societal challenges
The unglamorous but essential truth about luck, rejection, and resilience in any founder journey
How multidisciplinary thinking (not narrow specialization) is shaping the next generation of teams
Why writing remains a transformative tool for designers to sharpen thinking and amplify impact
We also got into Ian’s personal story:
What prompted to start Aide Health
How the idea was validated within healthcare’s complex landscape
Why choosing the right co-founder isn’t just about skills — it’s about trust, chemistry, and shared resilience
If you’re curious about where design is heading, what it really takes to build something meaningful, or why more designers should step into founder roles — this one’s for you.
Ian Wharton:
Website: www.ianwharton.com
Course: www.ianwharton.com/sell-the-idea
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ianjwharton/
Substack: www.substack.com/@ianwharton
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