to be published by penguin random house ON
MAY 19th 2026

The Sentient Startup

The Sentient Startup explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence as a true co-founder in modern startups. Inspired by Sam Altman’s 2023 prediction of AI enabling one-person billion-dollar companies, this book examines how AI’s rapid advancements could empower a solo entrepreneur to rival large, well-funded firms.

“In The Sentient Startup, Arnaud Frade brilliantly captures the seismic impact AI is having not just on corporations, but even more so on the next generation of entrepreneurs. I fully agree with the author—AI isn’t just another tool; it’s a fundamental shift that’s redefining how ventures are imagined, built, and scaled. If intelligence is no longer human-exclusive, what truly sets a founder apart?”

Advanced Praise

Senior Managing Director

Accenture

About the author

Arnaud Frade is a global business executive with experience leading a variety of teams and business units for financial and professional services firms, including American Express, WPP, Omnicom, Accenture and Nielsen, across Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East & Africa. He has been formally advising startups in Asia since 2013.

Arnaud has been involved with topics related to Artificial Intelligence since 2016, then focusing on its impact on Marketing. The Sentient Startup is Arnaud's first book.

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SYNOPSIS

The Sentient Startup argues that AI is not just an efficiency tool but a fundamental shift in how startups can operate. By integrating machine intelligence into the very DNA of a company, founders can create “sentient” businesses, organisations that continuously learn, adapt, and optimise based on real-time data. These startups leverage AI for strategic decision-making, product evolution, marketing, and operations at a scale and speed beyond human capability.

However, The Sentient Startup does not ignore the challenges. It warns against blind reliance on AI, highlighting risks such as bias, privacy concerns, and over-dependence on data-driven metrics. Ethical considerations and human oversight remain crucial to ensuring AI-driven businesses are not just intelligent but also responsible.

Ultimately, The Sentient Startup provides a framework for entrepreneurs, investors, and tech leaders to harness AI’s power effectively. It offers practical insights into building AI-native businesses that balance automation with human creativity, redefining the future of entrepreneurship.