Five Types of AI Cultures

I had the honor of being the closing speaker at TED AI in San Francisco to over 1000 attendees (I’ll let you know when the video is live), where I spoke about the thriving AI community in the SF Bay and how it has built two unique AI cultures that are driving massive industry growth.

Here’s the framework I shared:

The Five AI Cultures:

• 1) AI Resisters: those who don’t want AI and may even try to slow or stop it.

• 2) AI Followers: waiting for best practices and proven ROI before adopting, often in regulated industries.

• 3) AI Forward: a term used by CEOs of non-tech companies. They’re integrating AI with humans, using this term to avoid scaring employees.

And here in the SF Bay Area, two bold new cultures have emerged:

• 4) AI First often larger tech firms like Salesforce and Box, leading with AI.

• 5) AI Natives: small, young startups built with AI since inception.

So what do these two last cultures (AI First and AI Natives) do differently?

Here’s the secret, The AI First Method:

1. First, research if an AI tool already exists and adopt it.

2. If it doesn’t exist, build it, even if you’re not technical, vibe code it.

3. If, and only if, that doesn’t work, hire a human.

Yes, this means the SF Bay area tech companies will be very lean and productive. They will hire fewer human, allow for attrition and reduce backfilling.

Evaluate your organization’s culture. There’s often a difference from what the CEO believes they are, vs what the rank and file human employees will say they are, be sure to document this gulf.

Where are you now, and which culture do you plan to become?

I love speaking to audience as a professional speaker (bio), I’ll speak on the new business models required in the age of AI, internal culture changes, and will bring examples, data, and insights. please recommend me for your next conference or internal AI event.