Latest Interviews

What will people wear in the future?

Dr Amanda Parkes, Francesca Muston

The fashion industry is undergoing a radical transformation as biofabrication and textile computing replace traditional manufacturing with sustainable, lab-grown materials and embedded electronic sensors. Companies like Bolt Threads and Mayant are leading this shift by producing alternatives to animal-derived fabrics and interactive garments capable of transmitting real-time biological data. Simultaneously, the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning has elevated fashion forecasting from an art to a data-driven science, prompting venture capital firms to invest heavily in startups that merge these technologies with innovative business models.

What's Next for Education Startups

D'Arcy Coolican, Li Jin, Frank Chen, Lee Jin

The higher education sector is undergoing a structural unbundling that separates skills training, credential signaling, and networking, driven by a student shift toward employment-focused ROI and the rise of specialized startups. New business models such as Income Share Agreements and micro-credentialing are challenging traditional tuition systems, placing vulnerable tier-two universities at risk while elite institutions leverage strong brand moats for defense. This transformation is further fueled by regulatory constraints that favor established accreditors and a global move toward continuous upskilling that disrupts the linear path from college to career.

Artificial Intelligence, Real Impact

Ralph Simon, Ayesha Khanna, Virginie Maisonneuve, Humera Malik, Nadia Thalmann, Vikesh

A panel convened by McKinsey and industry leaders projects that artificial intelligence will inject $13 trillion into the global economy by 2030 while driving massive infrastructure expansion and transforming key sectors like healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. The discussion highlighted divergent regional trajectories where developed nations capture the bulk of value, yet emphasized urgent adoption strategies in China and emerging markets through specialized education mandates and IoT integration. Despite concerns regarding algorithmic bias and the current limitations of narrow AI, the consensus forecasts a near-term future where government subsidies and competitive pressure force the comprehensive operational integration of AI across all major organizations.

CryptoCurrently: How Virtual Currencies Went from Mania to Mainstream

Laura Deal Lacey, Andrew Peaple, Bill Barhydt, Ron Cao, Karen Chen, Sam Englebardt, Jeffrey Lin, Dorji Sun

Experts including Bill Barheit, Sam Engelbart, and Karen Chen project that the cryptocurrency market will mature from speculative retail activity into a $500 billion to $1 trillion asset class driven by institutional equity investment and regulated infrastructure over the next three to four years. The panel forecasts a strategic pivot toward utility-based applications, such as tokenized real-world assets and security tokens, while advocating for regulatory frameworks that focus on intermediaries rather than the underlying "ones and zeros." Success in this evolving landscape depends on the convergence of technological scaling via Proof-of-Work or Proof-of-Stake protocols, the adoption of custodial standards by traditional banks, and a regional shift toward governance-heavy business models in both global and Asian markets.

Vinod Khosla : How to Build the Future

Vinod Khosla, Sam Altman

Venture capitalist Vinod Khosla asserts that building a billion-dollar company requires a founder to shift from static planning to an adaptive mindset that prioritizes the "kitchen cabinet" and high-caliber talent over short-term revenue stability. He advises allocating at least 30% of equity to attract elite "athletes" with first-principles thinking while rigorously selecting investors who have survived near-bankruptcy to avoid the 90% of advisors who add negative value. Looking forward, this approach aims to reinvent global infrastructure by targeting 100% to 1,000% improvements in sectors like food, construction, and transportation to replicate top-tier living standards for the entire world.

Investing for the Long-Term

Ian Martin, Sophia Cheng, Azmil Zahruddin Raja Abdul Aziz, Michael Rolland, Tom Tull

Representatives from Texas ERS, OMERS, Kazana National Fund, and Cathay Financial convened to discuss capital management strategies for institutional pools exceeding $700 billion in combined assets. The panelists detailed shifts toward alternative asset allocation and direct private investments to counter demographic aging, low-interest rate environments, and rising market valuations. Key discussions highlighted the tension between strict ESG governance and financial performance, alongside the necessity of avoiding crowded markets through bilateral deal relationships and active risk management.

Hacking Health: The Future of Humankind

Jeannette Ickovics, Jeremy Cao, Julien de Salaberry, Christopher Hall, Joseph Wong, Lihan Zhou, Chris Hall, Lee Han, Julian DeSalveri, Ritesh Maishuri, Laura Entwistle, Mark Blythery, Dan Galpin

Industry leaders from organizations including Fitbit, BGI, and Meraxis convened to analyze the projected $18 trillion global health spending landscape, with a specific focus on Asia's unique demographic challenges and rapid digital health growth. The event highlighted how strategic innovations in genomics, AI-driven wearables, and early cancer detection are driving a critical shift from curative to preventative care models while navigating complex regulatory environments across diverse Asian markets. Participants emphasized that future success depends on integrating high-tech solutions with empathetic delivery, securing investment through intellectual property and execution speed, and addressing ethical gaps in genetic privacy and mental health.

Media and Trust: A Global Concern

Heng Wing Chan, Stephen Salyer, Gerard Baker, Warren Fernandez, Victor Mallet, Maria A. Ressa, Doug Mellinger, Paul Grunewald

Four global journalists analyze the collapse of traditional media trust, attributing the crisis to the weaponization of social media algorithms, the concentration of ad revenue within tech giants, and a lack of ideological diversity within newsrooms. The panel highlights specific regional threats, from state-backed disinformation campaigns in the Philippines and Hong Kong to the revenue model failures that undermine investigative reporting in Singapore. Participants conclude that restoring public confidence requires platform accountability, deeper community engagement, and a renewed commitment to holding power to account despite the current fragmented information landscape.

Investing for Immortality

Ben Clark, Elizabeth Gustilo, Drue Kataoka, Pearl Lam, Helen Lee Warren

A panel of industry leaders analyzed the surge in Asian wealth since 2014, which has elevated the region's collector base to surpass Western counterparts while driving a shift toward Western "blue chip" acquisitions and private museum expansion. The discussion highlighted a dual evolution in the ecosystem, where second-generation collectors prioritize provenance and direct patronage models alongside the integration of AI, blockchain, and virtual reality to redefine authentication and access. Ultimately, experts emphasized the necessity of balancing traditional institutional roles with digital innovation to ensure market resilience and the long-term "immortality" of artworks within a rapidly changing technological landscape.

Smarter Cities for a Smarter World

Jonathan Woetzel, Hugh Andrew, Nayef Khalid Al Khalifa, Robert Rosenstein, Lauren Sorkin

A recent McKinsey Global Institute analysis reveals that while most global cities currently operate at only 70% maturity regarding smart technology, successful implementation demands a shift from rigid zoning to outcome-based regulation and robust public-private partnerships. Key drivers for this evolution include treating digital infrastructure as a utility, prioritizing human capital through inclusive social policies, and restructuring real estate models to accommodate e-commerce and automated logistics. Ultimately, sustainable urban development relies on strong civic leadership defining long-term visions while ensuring equitable access and clear ROI metrics across diverse markets from North Asia to the Middle East.

A World in Transition: What Matters For Asia

Michael Klowden, Haslinda Amin, Heenam Choi, Ravi Menon, Ning Tang

The Milken Institute's fifth Asia Summit convened over 1,000 global leaders in Singapore to analyze the Asia-Pacific region's economic resilience amidst US-China trade tensions and technological disruption. Key speakers highlighted that while external financial tightening poses risks, Asian emerging markets remain structurally sound due to sounder macro fundamentals and a shifting middle class driving demand for healthcare and senior housing. The event concluded that the region's long-term growth trajectory depends on maintaining open trading systems, advancing FinTech regulation, and managing demographic transitions toward aging societies.

What will be the biggest stories of 2019? | Part Two

In 2019, global advancements will see augmented reality headsets deployed in major surgical centers like St. Mary's to enhance precision, while Japan launches the Rugby World Cup to stimulate tourism and enacts legislation to admit 345,000 foreign workers amidst demographic decline. Simultaneously, the United States faces heightened political friction as Democrats assume House control to subpoena President Trump, and the European Union navigates a contentious parliamentary election that threatens to deepen fragmentation between populist and established factions. These domestic and international shifts coincide with a renewed surge in space exploration, marked by private and national lunar missions aiming to utilize frozen resources and achieve greater demographic diversity in orbit.

a16z Podcast | Talent, Tech Trends, and Culture -- with Ben, Marc, and Tyler Cowen

Tyler Cowen, Marc Andreessen, Ben Horowitz

Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz detail the founding history of their firm, Andreessen Horowitz, which challenges conventional venture capital wisdom by prioritizing long-term partnerships with extreme founders rather than professional management teams. The partners analyze emerging technological shifts, arguing that blockchain serves as a new trust-based computing platform while predicting a future where retail becomes experiential and wearables enable predictive healthcare. Additionally, they propose integrating Hollywood's emotional talent identification with Silicon Valley's systems thinking through their Cultural Leadership Fund, asserting that the next frontier of innovation lies in automating the selection and funding of high-stakes initiatives.

a16z Podcast | How the Internet Happened

Brian McCullough, Chris Dixon

Brian McCullough's *How the Internet Happened* traces the industry's evolution from the 1993 Netscape launch to the 2007 iPhone, analyzing pivotal shifts like the decentralization of the web and eBay's establishment of trust through reputation systems. The narrative highlights how early failures like Webvan and Napster were often victims of timing rather than flawed concepts, while Google's dominance stemmed from refining pay-per-click advertising against the prevailing "portal" model. McCullough concludes that the current stagnation in innovation results from a reliance on massive scale strategies, suggesting that genuine breakthroughs will likely emerge from the periphery where hobbyists operate on long-term horizons rather than within established corporate cycles.

a16z Podcast | The Infrastructure of Total Health

Bernard J. Tyson, Ben Horowitz

Kaiser Permanente distinguishes itself through a fully integrated, capitated model that serves 12.3 million members by prioritizing prevention and cost efficiency over volume-based revenue. Under the leadership of former CEO Bernard J. Tyson, the organization leverages longitudinal data and unified technology to shift the healthcare paradigm from reactive "sick care" toward proactive management of social determinants and behavioral health. By treating hospitals as expense centers and integrating mental health specialists into primary care, Kaiser aims to minimize lifetime costs while influencing national policy to address systemic gaps in elderly care and mental health infrastructure.