Ahead of his talk at World Summit AI USA 2025 (June 18–19, San Francisco), we caught up with Thorsten Zander, Founder and Chief Scientist of Zander Labs. A pioneer in neuroadaptive technology, Zander envisions a future where AI seamlessly integrates with human cognition, using real-time brain-computer interfaces to create intuitive, personalized digital experiences. In this interview, he shares breakthroughs in passive brain-computer interfaces, the potential of cognitive-aware AI across sectors, and why aligning technology with human mental states is essential for a truly human-compatible future.

What’s your most compelling dream scenario for AI — a breakthrough that would fundamentally improve life on a global scale?

Our ultimate aspiration is to develop AI systems that seamlessly integrate with human cognition, enabling technology to intuitively understand and adapt to our mental states in real time. By leveraging passive brain-computer interfaces (pBCIs), we aim to create a world where human-computer interaction is effortless and personalized, enhancing productivity, wellbeing, and overall quality of life.

Ahead of his talk at World Summit AI USA 2025 (June 18–19, San Francisco), we caught up with Vijay Karunamurthy, Field CTO at Scale AI. In this interview, Karunamurthy offers a refreshingly pragmatic view of AI's future—one where collaboration, conversation, and career-aligned learning take center stage. From building voice agents for TIME Magazine to designing AI tutors with purpose, he explores how AI can shift from static tools to dynamic partners that reshape how we learn, communicate, and engage with the world.

What’s your most compelling dream scenario for AI — a breakthrough that would fundamentally improve life on a global scale?

Fundamentally rethink how businesses collaborate.

Ahead of this talk at World Summit AI USA 2025 (June 18–19, San Francisco), we spoke with Joel Myhre—Humanitarian Innovator & Co-Chair of the UN Global Information Management Working Group for GIS, WHO EOC-NET. 

With decades of experience at the intersection of technology and humanitarian aid, Myhre champions the transformative role of AI in addressing global crises like climate change, conflict, and public health. In this conversation, he shares his vision for a more inclusive, transparent AI future, shaped by open data, global collaboration, and equity-first innovation.

What’s your most compelling dream scenario for AI — a breakthrough that would fundamentally improve life on a global scale?

For over two decades, I’ve worked with technology and humanitarian response and I’ve been fortunate to attend WSAI events for the past seven years, and as I look forward, this is a critical time where AI innovations can help meet the enormous challenges of climate change and Humanitarian Response! My dream scenario is Humanitarian AI with inclusive and equitable governance, transparency, and algorithmic audits, open data to enable local first responders, and engagement with academia, industry, governments, and the United Nations to leverage AI to streamline response efforts.

We spoke with Payal Arora, Founder of InclusiveAI Lab, digital anthropologist, and champion for equitable tech futures. In this conversation, she outlines her vision for an AI ecosystem that prioritizes public interest, empowers the Global South, and dismantles the entrenched Silicon Valley narrative of one-way innovation. Arora offers a compelling, human-centered perspective on how AI can help sustain humanity—rather than compete with it.

What’s your most compelling dream scenario for AI — a breakthrough that would fundamentally improve life on a global scale?

My dream scenario to create and sustain AI that is responsible and inclusive is to have an independent, global stakeholder invested non-profit entity that mainly focuses on upholding the CARE based principles and practices around AI to ensure it is public interest driven. This goes beyond the watchdog model where the focus is dominantly on auditing, monitoring, and public shaming. It is also about validating alternative models, initiatives, and building recognition and community around actors committed to these principles to showcase best practices. We need both carrot and stick to ensure we can translate good ideas into practice.

We sat down with Dr Raul V. Rodriguez, Vice President of Woxsen University, to discuss how he believes AI is transforming industries and elevating human potential.

What's the future of AI?

The future of AI is incredibly exciting and full of potential. We're likely to see AI integrated into every aspect of our lives, from healthcare to transportation, finance to entertainment. As AI continues to advance, we can expect to see breakthroughs in areas like natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics. However, it's crucial to develop AI responsibly, considering ethical implications and ensuring that it benefits humanity as a whole.

We sat down with Nicolo Nepote, Data Science & AI Senior Manager at Brembo, to talk about balancing the innovative potential of AI and responsibility.

What's the future of AI?

The future of AI is incredibly promising. We can expect AI to enhance personalization, advance healthcare, and increase the prevalence of autonomous systems. Ethical considerations and regulations will become more important. Additionally, AI will transform the job market, creating new opportunities and requiring new skills. Overall, AI will continue to make our daily lives more convenient and efficient.

We sat down with Anne McCormick, Digital Technology Policy Leader, Global Public Policy at EY, to talk about confidence and governance for the future of AI.


What's the future of AI?

The future of AI is full of potential but also uncertainty. This is not only because AI/GenAI and its applications are evolving fast, but also because AI’s future depends on how individuals and societies will choose to ‘govern’, as well as leverage, this powerful technology. What’s crucial for AI’s future is confidence: confidence in the technology itself, and societal confidence in the responsible way AI will be used.

We sat down with Sako Arts, CTO and Co-Founder at Fruitpunch AI, to talk about how he sees AI as a tool for climate action.


What's the future of AI?

While I'm not a strong believer that full-blown AGI is on the horizon we will see a continuation of AI taking over many white-collar jobs. Many, especially content-heavy, jobs will change significantly in that they will mostly be focused on using AI instead of creating the content manually, this will trigger a reduction in the required human capital overall. However, I expect other new jobs to appear, as we already see with prompt engineers and data labelers.

We sat down with Carlo Tortora Brayda, Co-Founder & Task Force Member, NAIC ISAO & Founder & Executive Chairman, Tortora Brayda Institute,  to talk about how he sees AI as a tool for climate action.


What's the future of AI?

AI for Good is my vision of the future of AI. I am forging forward with revolutionary technologies that will level the playing field and radically improve the economies of lesser developed countries.

We sat down with Michael Borrelli  to talk about how he sees AI as a tool for climate action.


What's the future of AI?

Trustworthy AI innovations underpinned by robust regulation.