How a Non-Technical Founder Built an AI Startup

After 15 years in tech—working with top startups and engineers—I finally built an app. And I did it in a weekend, without writing a single line of code. _MuseKat_ is an AI-powered storytelling app that transforms museum visits into playful, interactive experiences for kids and parents. This talk unpacks how I leveraged AI-native tools, rapid iteration, and strategic prompting to go from idea to launch. More importantly, it explores what this shift means for non-technical builders, the evolving definition of an "AI engineer," and how anyone—yes, even you—can build in the age of AI.

More on the Speaker:

Bethany Crystal is a seasoned leader at the intersection of technology, education, and community-building, with 15+ years of experience spanning startups, venture capital, and nonprofits. She has led initiatives at Union Square Ventures, Tech:NYC, and Uniswap Foundation, building scalable grant programs and launching AI-integrated learning projects. Today she sits on the board of Hiro, a Bitcoin developer tools company, and Comp Sci High, a charter high school in the South Bronx. As the founder and CEO of MuseKat, she is reimagining how families experience museums through AI-driven, immersive storytelling.

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The NYU Entrepreneurial Institute provides reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Requests for accommodations for events and services should be submitted at least two weeks before the date of the accommodation need. Please email zgb215@nyu.edu for assistance.

NOTE: THIS EVENT IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT NYU STUDENTS, FACULTY, & STAFF. EACH ATTENDEE WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIGN IN WITH THEIR NYU ID CARD