🚃 Cables, Code, and Caution: Reflections from World Summit AI San Francisco

Attending World Summit AI in San Francisco was a full-spectrum experience—one that stretched from hopeful breakthroughs to sobering realities. Across two days of talks, panels, and conversations, a powerful paradox kept surfacing: we are on the edge of unprecedented innovation, but our humanity remains irreplaceable.

Here are some of my biggest takeaways from the event:

⚠️ The Bad and the Ugly First

Let’s not sugarcoat it. Many industry leaders are still laser-focused on efficiency at any cost—making teams leaner, faster, and more productive with fewer people. While that might excite investors, it raises red flags for anyone thinking long-term about equity, employment, and sustainable growth.

Even more unsettling were the recurring dystopian narratives—ones that painted AI as a looming threat to the human workforce. And of course, the phrase “AI won’t replace you. The person who knows how to use AI will.” made far too many appearances. While catchy, it's also reductive and, frankly, overused.

✨ The Good: The New Gold Rush

That said, the event wasn’t without hope—far from it. There was a palpable excitement among founders, solopreneurs, and creators. For them, AI isn’t a threat—it’s a tool of empowerment. We’re in what many are calling the “new gold rush era”—where access to AI can level the playing field, spark ideas, and unlock entirely new forms of value.

But let’s be clear: AI is just a tool. Like a hammer, it can build homes or do harm. It all comes down to how we use it. Use it wisely.

🤯 Day 2: The Privilege of Pessimism

Day 2 opened with a quote that stopped me in my tracks:

“Pessimism is a privilege for those who can afford to despair.”

That hit home. Because while some people fear AI’s disruption, others see it as a lifeline—a way to access education, healthcare, or opportunity they’ve never had. For underserved communities, AI isn’t a threat—it’s a promise.

🚋 Cable Cars and Code: A Paradox in Motion

On the morning of Day 2, I took a 150-year-old cable car from Nob Hill to the summit. Not an Uber. Not a Waymo. And it was packed.

That choice might seem ironic on the way to an AI summit—but it proved a powerful point: even in a hyper-automated world, people crave experiences. The joy, the conversation, the novelty of riding a clattering, historic cable car through the streets of San Francisco was something no algorithm can replicate.

As our lives become more digital, I believe we’ll crave tactile, spontaneous, human experiences even more. Real moments. Shared laughter. Eye contact. The more we optimize, the more we’ll search for what feels authentic.

🧠 Final Reflection

The AI conversation isn’t just about tools or technology—it’s about values, access, and balance. As we rush forward with automation, we must also invest in the deeply human things that make life rich and meaningful.

Whether it’s a codebase or a cable car, the future we build should reflect not just what we can do with AI—but what we choose to preserve.

What do you think?
How do you see AI shaping (or clashing with) our desire for authentic experiences?
Let’s keep the conversation going. 👇