One could argue that the model for the news business is broken. So can AI help fix it? This week on Generative Now, Lightspeed Partner and host Michael Mignano talks to Sara Beykpour, CEO and Co-founder of Particle. Particle is an AI-driven news platform designed to help people learn exactly what they want to know about what's going on in the world in the most efficient way possible. Michael and Sara talk about the central product role she played for groundbreaking products like Twitter, Vine, Secret, and Periscope, as well as why she started Particle and how AI could help make new business models work for publishers.

Sara has been on the forefront of creating novel media platforms throughout her entire career. She has built and launched three apps that set the stage for today’s multimedia social landscape online: Vine, Secret, and Periscope. She previously worked as Twitter’s Senior Director of Product Management, leading Twitter Blue, Twitter Video, and conversations.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Sara Beykpour

(00:58) Sara's Journey Through Silicon Valley's Startups

(02:43) The Early Days at Twitter and the Birth of Vine

(06:42) Vine's Impact, Decline, and Shutdown

(12:21) From Vine to Secret (Anonymous Social Media)

(14:45) The Periscope Era: Live Streaming's Rise

(21:47) Exploring the Evolution of Social Media and News Consumption

(22:26) The Impact of Twitter on News and Journalism

(27:57) Challenges and Innovations in News Consumption

(32:14) The Rise of Generative AI and Its Effects on News Publishing

(33:26) Leveraging AI in Particle for a New News Experience

(46:15) Exploring New Business Models for Journalism with AI

(49:28) Opportunities With Particle

Stay in touch:

www.lsvp.com
X: https://twitter.com/lightspeedvp
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightspeed-venture-partners/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightspeedventurepartners/
Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: generativenow.co
Email: generativenow@lsvp.com

The content here does not constitute tax, legal, business or investment advice or an offer to provide such advice, should not be construed as advocating the purchase or sale of any security or investment or a recommendation of any company, and is not an offer, or solicitation of an offer, for the purchase or sale of any security or investment product. For more details please see lsvp.com/legal.

Current Affairs News Briefing ❧ January 21, 2026

Current Affairs

Nike releases MLK Day shoe tied to motel color

The AI-powered Podcast Player