Qurious Bytes: Nitin Gupta on Rebuilding AI-Native or Facing the AI Tsunami

In this special conversation hosted by Amit Choudhary (CEO and Founder of Enqurious), we sit down with Nitin Gupta, who is the Founder and CEO of FlytBase, who brings a deep understanding of how AI is not just transforming tools — it's reshaping how businesses think, work, and grow. From redefining productivity to reimagining how teams collaborate, Nitin shares thought-provoking insights on what it truly means to be AI-native.

Let’s dive into the full conversation, guided by the key questions discussed during the podcast.

Question: What does being AI-native really mean?

To me, being AI-native goes beyond using a few AI-powered tools here and there. It’s a fundamental shift in how we design systems and think about work.

It means AI is not an add-on — it's deeply embedded into the core of how decisions are made. Instead of relying on people to manually push every button, AI-native systems use automation, learn from patterns, and bring in human input only where it’s truly needed.

Think about the mobile-first transformation. Businesses that built for mobile from the ground up thrived — others who just adapted old systems struggled. That’s what being AI-native is today. It’s not just about technology; it’s about mindset and architecture.

Question: How is AI impacting team productivity?

Productivity today isn’t about hours worked — it’s about outcomes. AI radically changes that equation.

For example, producing a podcast used to mean multiple people: one to edit, another to transcribe, someone for thumbnails, someone else for copywriting. Now, with the right AI tools, one person can do all of that — and do it faster.

That doesn’t mean people are being replaced. It means we’re redistributing value. Instead of spending time on repetitive tasks, teams can focus on creativity, strategy, and conversations that actually move the needle.

Question: Are we at a tipping point where AI needs to be embedded into everything?

Yes, absolutely. We’re at an inflection point where businesses that don’t embed AI risk becoming irrelevant — not just inefficient.

Embedding AI doesn’t mean you have to rebuild your entire business overnight. It means taking small, meaningful steps: maybe it’s smarter tagging in your CRM, or better routing in customer service, or AI-assisted content creation.

But the point is — you have to start thinking from the inside out. You can’t just slap AI on top of existing processes and expect magic. The real change comes when you reimagine your systems with AI at the core.

Question: Why does everything begin with the mindset shift?

Because technology will always evolve — but your mindset determines whether you keep up.

The old question was: “Can I use AI to do this task?” But the better question is: “How would I solve this if AI was my default?”

That shift opens up space for creativity and experimentation. When teams assume AI is part of the workflow, they stop thinking in limitations and start imagining new possibilities. That’s where real transformation happens.

Question: What is the right AI adoption strategy for teams today?

There’s no one-size-fits-all playbook, but here’s what works: start with your internal bottlenecks.

Ask:

• “Is this task repetitive?”

• “Can AI do this faster or better?”

• “Would automating this create more space for creative or strategic work?”

Don’t go top-down with AI. Let it grow from real needs. Start lean. Pilot small. Learn fast. That’s how you build AI-native habits — not by forcing tools, but by solving real problems.

Question: How should early teams think about building an AI-native organization?

If you’re just starting out, this is your superpower. You don’t have legacy systems or old habits. You can build fresh.

My advice? Don’t create systems you’ll need to fix later. Build with AI in mind from day one.

That means:

• Clean, well-tagged data

• A culture of experimentation

• Teams that collaborate across functions

• Hiring and training people with AI readiness

You don’t need to be perfect — but you do need to build for the future you want to grow into.

Question: Is AI going to replace humans or assist them?

Let’s be honest — AI won’t replace humans. But humans who use AI will replace those who don’t.

This isn’t about fear. It’s about partnership. AI is a powerful amplifier. It frees us from mundane tasks so we can focus on judgment, storytelling, empathy, trust — the things only humans can do well.

The future isn’t AI versus us. It’s AI with us.

Question: What are some examples of AI-native tools you personally use or recommend?

Here are a few tools I keep in my own stack:

• Descript: Makes podcast and video editing feel like editing a Word doc.

• Gamma: Lets me create presentation decks in minutes.

• ChatGPT / Claude / Notion AI: For brainstorming, writing, research, and even organizing my to-dos.

• AI video editors and thumbnail generators: They save so much time during post-production.

My tools keep evolving. But the goal is always the same: reduce grunt work, increase creative flow.

Question: Do we need to unlearn old behaviors to adapt to AI?

Definitely. One of the biggest hurdles is unlearning.

Most people are still wired to think in sequences: “I do A → B happens → I review C.” But with AI, those steps collapse.

You don’t need three tools and four approvals. The system can self-correct, learn, and improve on its own. It’s uncomfortable at first — especially for people used to linear processes — but it’s also incredibly freeing once you embrace it.

Question: What advice would you give to someone just starting with AI?

Start small. Start today. And don’t worry about looking silly.

The biggest thing that holds people back is fear. Fear of not understanding. Fear of messing up.

But like with the internet or social media — the only way to learn is to do. Even automating just one task can give you massive leverage.

My mantra? “Find something boring. Automate that. Then look for the next.” That’s how you build momentum.

3 key takeaways from the discussion

1. Think AI-First, Not AI-Later
   To be truly AI-native, businesses need to embed AI into their processes, not just layer it on top. The mindset shift is more important than the tech itself.

2. AI Frees Up Human Potential
   AI doesn’t replace people — it liberates them. By automating the mundane, teams can focus on what truly matters: creativity, strategy, and human connection.

3. Start with Curiosity, Not Complexity
   You don’t need to understand everything to begin. Just start. Ask better questions. Try small tools. The magic is in experimenting and learning as you go.

This blog is inspired by a deep-dive conversation with Nitin on our latest podcast — where we explore how AI is reshaping the way we work, think, and build. You can watch the full episode here.

From practical tools to philosophical shifts, it’s a must-watch for anyone navigating the AI era.