Mark Heynen isn’t here to hype Artificial Intelligence. He’s here to ground it. Ahead of World Summit AI USA 2025 (June 18–19, San Francisco), the Knapsack co-founder opens up about the real risks of power concentration, the promise of privacy-first tools and why the future may depend less on regulation—and more on responsible founders.

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

I dream of having it do my dishes and laundry. Simple, but telling -- it could then really save us all from life's drudgery.

Before taking the stage at World Summit AI USA 2025 (June 18–19, San Francisco), Bernardo Flores shares why bridging academia and industry is critical now. From student-led tools for mental health to sustainable tech with IBM, he’s focused on using Artificial Intelligence to empower—not replace—human potential.

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

A dream scenario for me would be seeing AI applications and systems being used for social good. To empower individuals not just knowledge wise, but to allow them to find ways to solve or mitigate issues within their communities, in a way that it can be beneficial for all. For instance, something that gives me great hope is when my students, for their master project, want to focus on building multi-agentic AI systems for healthcare (e.g. mental health, wellbeing, ...), education (e.g. pre-school learning companions) and other causes that show the commitment that future work forces have to use AI for a greater good.

Ahead of his talk at World Summit AI USA 2025 (June 18–19, San Francisco), we caught up with Robert Petrosino, Strategic Engagement Advisor: AI, FBI. From bedtime storytelling to medical decision-making, Petrosino envisions a future where AI is a deeply personal support system woven into our daily lives. In this conversation, he reflects on his work bringing agent-based systems to the private sector, the overlooked role of chip manufacturing and energy in achieving AGI, and why 2028 may mark a turning point in our relationship with intelligent machines.

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

Personalized support system for the hardest decision in our lives from entertainment choices to medical recommendations.

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.