Databricks CEO says SaaS isn’t dead, but AI will soon make it irrelevant

Core Insights - Databricks has achieved a revenue run rate of $5.4 billion, reflecting a 65% year-over-year growth, with over $1.4 billion coming from AI products [2] - The company aims to differentiate itself from traditional SaaS labels, as it is primarily valued in private markets as an AI company [3] - Databricks has successfully closed a $5 billion funding round at a valuation of $134 billion and secured a $2 billion loan facility [3] AI Product Impact - The LLM user interface named Genie is significantly driving the usage of Databricks' data warehouse, allowing users to interact with data using natural language [4] - Genie simplifies data queries that previously required technical expertise, contributing to the company's growth in usage [5] SaaS Industry Dynamics - The perceived threat of AI to SaaS is not about replacing existing systems of record but rather transforming user interfaces to be more accessible [6][7] - Ghodsi emphasizes that the challenge for SaaS businesses lies in the potential invisibility of their products as interfaces become more user-friendly, which could diminish the need for specialized knowledge [8]