At the 8th Future Investment Initiative (FII) Conference, Peter Diamandis assembled a powerhouse panel to discuss AI's transformative potential across industries and geographies. In the “Third Board of Changemakers: AI” session, leaders from some of the world’s most influential tech companies shared insights into AI’s implications for business, society, and our collective future. Panelists included Shou Chew (CEO of TikTok), Jack Hidary (CEO of SandboxAQ), Benjamin Horowitz (Co-Founder of Andreessen Horowitz), Travis Kalanick (CEO of CloudKitchens), Ruth Porat (President and CIO of Alphabet & Google), Jay Puri (EVP, Worldwide Field Operations at Nvidia), and Eric Schmidt (Former CEO & Chairman of Google). Together, they tackled pressing topics ranging from AI-driven growth to the ethical considerations of artificial general intelligence (AGI).
The panel began by exploring how companies and nations can strategically leverage AI for prosperity. Jay Puri of Nvidia noted that AI's power lies in its capacity to create intelligence, fundamentally transforming economies. The ability to build “AI factories” that efficiently process data into actionable insights, he suggested, would be a core factor for competitive advantage.
Travis Kalanick of CloudKitchens illustrated this potential, highlighting AI’s practical applications in the food industry. His company employs AI-driven robotics to streamline food production, allowing kitchens to operate with minimal human oversight. Such innovations are predicted to reshape traditional business models, favoring larger enterprises with established infrastructures to deploy these advanced solutions.
Jack Hidary, CEO of SandboxAQ, emphasized the importance of quantitative AI—AI based on equations and proprietary, non-internet-derived data. He explained that AI models powered by quantitative data could catalyze breakthroughs in biopharma, materials science, and other fields, where accurate molecular modeling and chemical equations are essential. This shift marks a new era where proprietary data will provide a significant edge, especially as companies strive to create AI solutions tailored to unique industries.
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt weighed in on the path to AGI, describing how near-future systems might soon exhibit savant-like capabilities in specialized domains, such as science, medicine, and engineering. These systems could evolve to improve their own code recursively, potentially reaching 80-90% expertise levels across multiple disciplines by the early 2030s. However, he cautioned that society is unprepared for such advancements and the ethical and safety challenges that come with them.
Ruth Porat, President and CIO of Alphabet & Google, challenged the binary framing of “AI for good” versus profit. According to Porat, responsible AI development is essential to unlock the full potential of AI’s economic and social benefits. She emphasized the need for balanced investment in safety and regulation, urging companies to engage proactively with regulators and prioritize ethical safeguards.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew underscored AI’s potential to democratize creativity by enabling users, regardless of technical skill, to produce high-quality content. TikTok’s recommendation algorithms leverage machine learning to fuel creativity, while new tools allow creators to translate their ideas into engaging content more easily. This, Chew argued, could have far-reaching effects on the creative economy and beyond.
Ruth Porat further elaborated on AI’s impact on education. She shared a vision where AI can provide quality education in underserved regions, highlighting a recent initiative in West Africa that uses AI to deliver educational content in native languages. Such advancements could empower millions by making knowledge more accessible.
Benjamin Horowitz, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, spoke on the investment landscape, noting that while every segment of AI is promising, challenges vary by layer—from infrastructure to applications. He warned of bottlenecks in data, power, and cooling that could impede scaling if not addressed. Horowitz also highlighted the rapid pace at which companies can capture markets with AI-enabled tools, citing a case where a developer tool achieved $40 million in revenue in just three months.
Jay Puri of Nvidia discussed the role of GPUs in powering the AI revolution. While Nvidia’s GPUs have become synonymous with AI advancements, Puri clarified that Nvidia’s value extends beyond individual chips to a full accelerated computing platform. This platform’s forward and backward compatibility, he noted, ensures that industries reliant on Nvidia’s technology can continue innovating without worrying about hardware obsolescence.
The panelists converged on a common theme: AI will be integral to future economic and social transformation, demanding unprecedented collaboration across sectors. The future will likely see AI as an essential teammate, guiding creativity, optimizing businesses, and reimagining education. But with these advances come challenges—regulation, ethical AI use, and the potential threats posed by AGI. As AI evolves at breakneck speed, the world must prepare not just for its benefits but for its responsibilities.
