AI Software Beats Robots for Service Automation Right Now
Netic CEO Melisa Tokmak argues AI software, not robotics, is the near-term play for service automation in 'old school' industries. Robots face decades of real-world hurdles.
Building an Autonomous Enterprise for Real-World Services with Netic Founder Melisa Tokmak
With Elad Gil, Melisa Tokmak · Sunday, August 2, 2026
Melisa Tokmak, founder and CEO of Netic, discusses how her company builds AI to autonomously run real-world service businesses like HVAC and pet care. She explains Netic's unique approach, differentiating it from both AI roll-ups and generalist AI labs, and shares her insights on the rapid AI adoption in 'old school' industries and her vision for the positive impact of AI, particularly in education.
Key takeaways
- Netic founder Melisa Tokmak pushes back on the hype: AI software, not robotics, is the immediate future for automating real-world service businesses like HVAC and pet care. Robotics, she says, is a "chapter in the future" that's still decades away from practicality in these sectors. Read more →
- AI's most profound opportunity lies in democratizing access to learning, making “everything you want to learn… in your pocket” and significantly boosting personal agency. Read more →
- Melisa Tokmak's company, Netic, doesn't just sell AI tools to businesses; it builds AI that runs core, revenue-generating operations for large, essential service businesses like HVAC and plumbing. Read more →
- Generalist AI labs like OpenAI and Anthropic are often partners, not competitors, for businesses aiming to automate specific services. Read more →
5 articles from this episode
Netic CEO: AI Wins by Boosting Agency, Not Just Efficiency
Melisa Tokmak argues AI's true power is democratizing education and solving 'worst day' problems. Forget job fears; build AI that gives people agency.
Netic CEO Melisa Tokmak's Hiring: Find Builders, Not Exit-Seekers
Netic CEO Melisa Tokmak details her hiring framework to find founders, not fliers. She screens for continuous agency—a deep, lifelong drive to build.
Netic's AI: 70% of Service Customers Go AI-First
Netic founder Melisa Tokmak reveals how AI now handles 70% of customer interactions for 'old school' service businesses like HVAC. The playbook for true automation.
Netic CEO: Why Generalist AI Labs Miss the Enterprise 'Lost Mile'
Melisa Tokmak, Netic's CEO, argues that generalist AI labs like OpenAI overlook critical enterprise needs. Learn why vertical AI wins the last mile.
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