The AI behind your favorite AI tools. That's AssemblyAI.
In this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena Dunay sits down with Meg Colón, VP of People at AssemblyAI, to talk about what it looks like to build a high-trust, remote-first culture at one of the most quietly powerful companies in the AI space.
Meg shares how AssemblyAI went from founding in 2017 to powering the voice AI models behind tools like Granola, why they ditched the agenda at their company off-sites, and how a team of 72 people is able to move faster and give more ownership than companies ten times their size.
They also get into the hard stuff, from reversing a sales motion that wasn't working to opening up every Slack channel and meeting in the name of radical transparency.
What you'll learn:
- What AssemblyAI does and why you've probably already used their technology
- How they run agenda-less off-sites and why it works
- Why trust and autonomy aren't just values on a wall at AssemblyAI
- How they use AI tools internally, including letting every employee expense them freely
- What it takes to stand out as a candidate and land a role on this team
AssemblyAI highlights:
- Founded: 2017
- Team Size: 72 employees
- Offices: New York City and San Francisco (coming soon)
- Work Model: Remote-first, distributed globally
- Culture: High-trust, fast-moving, transparent, ownership-driven
Unique Perks & Programs:
- 100% benefits coverage in the US
- 4% 401k match
- Equity with refreshes and performance-based right-sizing
- Office setup stipend
- Internet reimbursement
- AI tool stipend (no approval needed to try new tools)
- Frequent company and team off-sites
- Internal mobility and growth opportunities from day one
To learn more about AssemblyAI:
Careers Page (They're hiring!)