Adopt AI or face extinction: Big ideas from 7 tech leaders (on Future of AI)
We’re not just running out of data; we’re running out of unique insights
Adopt AI or face extinction. In a world run on intelligence, ignorance is no longer bliss.
AI is reshaping industries, economies, and societies at a pace never seen before. Leaders from diverse fields recently gathered to discuss AI's role in our future. These represent a great mix of researchers to founders, technologists:
Shou Chew, CEO, TikTok
Jack Hidary, CEO, SandboxAQ
Benjamin Horowitz, Co-Founder & General Partner, Andreessen Horowitz
Travis Kalanick, CEO, CSS/Cloud Kitchens
Ruth Porat, President & CIO, Alphabet & Google
Jay Puri, EVP, Worldwide Field Operations, Nvidia
Eric Schmidt, Former CEO & Chairman, Google
Here are the big ideas from these leaders as shared in a recent interview.
Travis Kalanick: Founder of Uber and CEO of CloudKitchens,
"Adopt AI or face extinction. In a world run on intelligence, ignorance is no longer bliss."
Travis Kalanick, founder of Uber and CEO of CloudKitchens, paints a compelling picture of AI-driven transformation in business. According to him, AI is reshaping the economy by creating disproportionate advantages for large companies with established business models.
At CloudKitchens, he has implemented robotics to streamline food preparation, with machines taking on tasks previously managed by humans. Kalanick believes AI will “supercharge” operational efficiency, particularly for big companies that already have strong workflows in place.
His advice for disruptors? Build with speed and scale in mind, anchored in cultural values he champions: truth, trust, and passion.
Peter Diamandis: AI-Driven Health and Preventive Care
"We’re not just running out of data; we’re running out of unique insights. Proprietary data will be the new currency."
Peter Diamandis, founder of Fountain Life and co-author of Life Force, envisions AI as a powerful tool for early disease detection and longevity. Fountain Life is using advanced diagnostics—AI-powered MRIs, blood tests, and more—to catch diseases in their earliest stages, aiming to extend healthy lifespan. For Diamandis, it’s about proactive health, catching issues before they become critical.
He emphasizes the need for proprietary data as AI matures, seeing it as an essential component in delivering health insights that are precise, personal, and preventive.
Jack Hidary: The Power of Quantitative AI in Scientific Progress
"Quantitative AI is our new superpower, transforming theoretical equations into world-changing solutions."
As CEO of Sandbox AQ, Jack Hidary introduced the concept of AQ—an intersection of AI and quantum computing. Hidary highlights how AI models trained on scientific principles, rather than general internet data, are creating new solutions in biopharma, materials science, and energy. These “quantitative AI” models leverage specialized data, providing groundbreaking insights at a speed and scale previously unimaginable.
Sandbox AQ is already applying this technology to drug discovery and chemical engineering, proving the value of these “quantitative large models” in addressing real-world challenges.
Eric Schmidt: Former CEO and chairman of Google and Alphabet
"We as humans are not ready for the arrival of AGI; we're just not ready."
Eric Schmidt, former CEO and chairman of Google and Alphabet, takes a more cautious stance on the future of AI, specifically Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Schmidt predicts that AGI could reach expert-level competence across fields within six to eight years. However, he warns that humanity is ill-prepared for such an advancement, noting that AGI’s capabilities in areas like cybersecurity and biosecurity could create significant risks.
Schmidt stresses the need for responsible governance and oversight as AGI advances, to manage the technology's immense power and potential threats.
Ruth Porat: AI for Good vs. Financial Gain – A False Choice
"The time is now. You have to radically reimagine what’s possible."
Ruth Porat, CFO and CIO of Alphabet and Google, advocates a balanced approach to AI, stressing that financial gain and social good are not mutually exclusive. She believes AI can solve pressing societal issues, from education to healthcare, while also driving economic growth.
Porat cites Google’s language translation tools as an example, which are providing accessible education in underserved areas by delivering content in native languages.
Her message to business leaders? The future is unfolding quickly, and companies must embrace the transformative potential of AI with urgency and responsibility.
Ben Horowitz: Investment Opportunities Across the AI Value Chain
"Big companies can optimize with AI faster than small companies can innovate."
As co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, Ben Horowitz sees an unprecedented opportunity in AI, with market potential spanning hardware, foundation models, and applications. He discusses the competitive dynamics between startups and large companies, noting that AI gives established companies a powerful edge in optimizing their operations. For startups, it’s a race to innovate faster than large corporations can adapt with AI.
Horowitz also highlights the rapid growth potential of AI products, sharing the example of a dev tools company that scaled to $40M in revenue within three months. In his view, it’s both the best private equity opportunity and a challenge for new entrants.
Shou Zi Chew: AI for Creativity and Content Safety on TikTok
"Education, reimagined: AI turns language barriers and teacher shortages into relics of the past."
Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok, underscores AI’s role in the creative economy, particularly in enabling more people to express themselves visually. TikTok’s AI-driven recommendation algorithm helps users discover content while supporting creators in translating their ideas into engaging videos. Chew highlights TikTok’s measures to ensure safe and responsible use of AI, including content moderation and labeling AI-generated videos to maintain transparency.
In Chew’s view, the future of creativity is deeply intertwined with AI, making it easier for everyone to share their ideas globally.
Jay Puri, EVP, Worldwide Field Operations, Nvidia
AI Factories and the Digital-Physical Convergence
"An AI factory transforms raw data into monetizable intelligence at scale."
Jay Puri, EVP, Worldwide Field Operations, Nvidia introduces the concept of an “AI factory” as essential infrastructure for companies and countries. These digital factories convert raw data into scalable AI outputs, which drive economic growth.
He emphasizes the importance of accelerated computing platforms—beyond just GPUs—that support the complex needs of deep learning and AI applications. He envisions a future where digital and physical realities merge, with digital simulations driving real-world decisions in areas like manufacturing and robotics.
For Nvidia, building AI factories is the foundation for staying competitive in an AI-driven world.
Each of these leaders brings a unique perspective on the role of AI in reshaping business, society, and the global economy. From automation and healthcare to creative expression and AGI, their insights underline both the transformative power of AI and the responsibility required to harness it for good.