The Long Play: AI and the Culture of Hard Work in San Francisco

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Key Takeaways

1The Long Play event brought together 150 experts in San Francisco to explore the impact of AI across various sectors, from healthcare to media.

2Dan Rogers from Asana uses AI as a daily tool, emphasizing the importance of focusing on high-potential companies rather than specific roles.

3Carina Hong from Axiom Math claims that the most advanced AI will be the one that can verify its own results, but remains skeptical about its ability to manage critical systems without human oversight.

💡Why it matters — AI is transforming industries, but human expertise and judgment remain crucial for navigating this rapid evolution.

The Long Play Event: A Dive into the Impact of AI

On Tuesday evening, at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, Business Insider hosted The Long Play, an event that brought together around 150 professionals and leaders from various sectors to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence. Among the attendees were influential figures such as Dan Rogers, CEO of Asana, and Damian Vaughn, a former NFL player turned executive coach. The goal was to understand how careerists and companies can thrive in the age of AI.

Crucial Questions About AI

The discussions addressed essential questions: Will AI replace Hollywood creatives or healthcare clinicians? Who will be rendered obsolete first by AI: coders or mathematicians? The societal implications of a world where human longevity increases due to technology were also examined. Carina Hong from Axiom Math, Jason Blum from Blumhouse Productions, Joanna Strober from Midi Health, and entrepreneur Bryan Johnson shared their perspectives on these topics.

A recurring theme during the event was that the tech world and modern culture reward speed, scale, and certainty. However, the speakers demonstrated that there is still room for boundaries, skepticism, and long-term human judgment.

Dan Rogers and Everyday AI

Dan Rogers described AI as a "daily companion," integrated into Asana's workflow to summarize information, consolidate ideas, and conduct competitive research. He emphasized the importance of focusing on companies with high breakthrough potential in a rapidly evolving tech landscape, rather than fixating on specific roles. Rogers referenced a well-known mantra from Silicon Valley: joining a "rocket ship." Outside of work, Rogers stressed the importance of consistency in physical exercise, which he considers non-negotiable, practicing a mix of cardio, weight training, and yoga.

AI and Self-Verification of Results

Carina Hong, founder of Axiom Math and a Rhodes Scholar, discussed the impact of language models (LLMs) on front-end software engineers. She noted that while these models have been revolutionary, AI is not yet ready to handle systems where safety is paramount without human intervention. Hong asserted that the most powerful AI will be the one capable of verifying its own output, but she remains cautious about its reliability in critical contexts.

Human Judgment in the Age of AI

Some founders present at the event emphasized that human judgment has become even more valuable in the age of AI. Talha Khan, CEO of Seda, stated that "taste" is a skill that AI has made more important. Carmen Li, CEO of Silicon Data, explained that she uses her judgment to distinguish between flattering AI and one that provides an accurate response.

AI in the Healthcare Sector

Joanna Strober, CEO of Midi Health, expressed reservations about using generic chatbots to answer patients' health questions. She envisions a future where patients can rely on specialized AI for certain pressing health inquiries, but she bets that this will not replace a human anytime soon.

Hollywood and AI: A Complex Relationship

Jason Blum, whose production company Blumhouse Productions is behind some of the most popular horror franchises and films, shared his views on AI in cinema. He does not believe that AI will enhance films, although he has experimented with the technology. Blum announced a partnership with Meta in 2024 to produce AI-generated short films and virtual reality experiences.

The Hard Work Culture Questioned

Bryan Johnson, a longevity entrepreneur, expressed his desire to see the hard work culture come to an end. He emphasized that we have not created a culture of health, which harms everyone. His message was clear: it is essential to have relationships, disconnect from our phones, and prioritize sleep.

Uncertainty About the Future

CEOs are often expected to make institutional forecasts, but it seems they are now regarded as oracles of the future, especially during the AI boom. Bryan Johnson stated that technology has allowed us to advance in our work and health, but it does not make us better at predicting the future. According to him, no one has anything intelligent to say about what lies ahead.