From Back Office to Shop Floor: How Worlds Is Redefining Physical AI | Founder Friday

What does it actually look like when AI moves out of the back office and into the physical operations of the world's largest industrial companies? In this episode of Founder Friday, ShiSh Shridhar, Director of Retail & CPG at Microsoft for Startups, sits down with Dave Copps, founder of Worlds, to explore exactly that. Dave shares how Worlds built a platform that connects to existing cameras and sensors to turn real-world environments into live spatial data — and then layers AI agents and automated workflows on top to solve problems in health and safety, security, and productivity. From the "100% Rule" to deploying agents at a major engine manufacturer in under two weeks, the conversation covers what physical AI really looks like in practice, why the LLM + physical AI combination is becoming a new kind of interface, and what's coming in 2026 and beyond. Dave also shares hard-won startup advice for founders navigating fast-moving markets, and reflects on how the Microsoft for Startups Pegasus Program helped Worlds accelerate trust, enterprise access, and scale. Learn more about Microsoft for Startups: https://msft.it/6049Qf9mU