Coffee with a Founder Podcast: Edward Tian of GPTZero

26- Aug-2025

On today’s episode, Beck Bamberger sits down with Edward Tian, Co-Founder and CEO of GPTZero. Edward shares the raw, behind-the-scenes realities of building a mission-driven company born from a thesis project at Princeton.

Edward opens up about preserving critical thinking, combating “brain rot,” and why founders should always build for writers.

show notes:

01:48 - The mission behind GPTZero

03:04 - Combating brain rot with AI tools

05:31 - Supporting both students and professionals

09:43 - From journalism to entrepreneurship

16:45 - Building for writers and journalists

Read More About The Episode:

01:48 - The mission behind GPTZero
Edward Tian shares the early days of GPTZero, tracing its roots back to a Princeton thesis project. He explains the startup’s larger mission: preserving critical thinking and information quality in the age of generative AI.

03:04 - Combating brain rot with AI tools
Edward discusses the dangers of “brain rot” from overrelying on AI for content creation, referencing academic studies, and explains how GPTZero designs tools to encourage active thinking and keep writers engaged.

05:31 - Supporting both students and professionals
The conversation explores GPTZero’s dual focus: helping educators prevent academic shortcuts while serving professionals, such as journalists, copywriters, and government officials, who use AI as a creative and analytical assistant.

09:43 - From journalism to entrepreneurship
Edward reflects on his journey from aspiring journalist and academic to tech founder, emphasizing how his background shapes GPTZero’s focus on authenticity, disinformation detection, and mission-driven culture.

16:45 - Building for writers and journalists
Edward shares his “hot take” that tech founders should prioritize building products for writers and journalists, highlighting the foundational role of writing in communication and the influence journalists have on tech adoption.