Recap of AAMA Future of AI Summit 2026
Recap of the AAMA 'Future of AI Summit' 2026
Connecting Innovation, Investment, and Opportunities Across the Pacific
Exploring the future of artificial intelligence, navigating global challenges, and building connections across the U.S. and Asia-Pacific.
San Francisco | October 14, 2026
The AAMA Future of AI Summit 2026 brought together an outstanding community of technology innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders for an afternoon of thought-provoking discussions, practical insights, and meaningful networking.
Hosted at Cooley LLP in San Francisco, the Summit welcomed more than 120 participants, both in person and virtually, to explore one of the most consequential transformations of our time: the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and the opportunities it creates across industries and global markets.
With a particular focus on the U.S. and Asia-Pacific, the Summit examined where AI is headed, how businesses can capitalize on emerging opportunities, and what it takes to navigate an increasingly complex technology and geopolitical landscape.
A Look Into the Future of AI: Fireside Chat with Jeff Herbst
The Summit opened with a thought-provoking fireside chat featuring Jeff Herbst, Managing Partner at GFT Ventures and former NVIDIA executive, who helped establish NVIDIA's Inception and venture investment initiatives.
Drawing on his extensive experience at the intersection of technology innovation, entrepreneurship, and venture capital, Jeff brought a valuable perspective to the future of AI and its transformative potential.
The discussion set the stage for the afternoon by exploring fundamental questions facing business leaders and society: Where are we in the AI revolution? What opportunities lie ahead? How should we balance rapid innovation with emerging risks? And how can we prepare our businesses and future generations for a world increasingly shaped by AI?
These questions provided a compelling foundation for the panel discussions that followed.
Where Will the Next Big AI Opportunities Emerge?
The first panel explored the expanding landscape of AI business opportunities, from foundational technologies and intelligent software to AI-powered robotics and industry-specific applications.
Panelists representing a diverse range of technology companies and industries brought perspectives on the opportunities emerging across the AI ecosystem.
Key areas of discussion included:
- Core AI innovation: Advances in AI capabilities and the technologies enabling new generations of intelligent products and services.
- Robotics and Physical AI: The growing potential for AI to move beyond digital applications into the physical world, transforming automation, manufacturing, and human-machine interaction.
- Industry Transformation: Opportunities for AI to reshape established industries, including financial services, healthcare, and enterprise operations.
- Commercialization and Scale: The challenges of translating technological breakthroughs into practical, sustainable businesses.
A central theme was the breadth of opportunities emerging across the AI value chain. While foundational AI models continue to attract significant attention, opportunities also exist in applying AI to solve meaningful business problems and transform industry workflows.
Agentic AI Without Borders: Navigating Trust, Security, and Strategy
As AI systems become increasingly autonomous and interconnected, organizations face a new set of challenges involving trust, security, compliance, and governance.
The Summit's second panel explored these issues through the lens of agentic AI and the realities of operating across global markets.
The discussion brought together perspectives from corporate executives, cybersecurity leadership, and investment banking, with particular attention to the complexities of the U.S. and Asia-Pacific markets.
Among the important considerations were:
- Trust and Security: Building confidence in increasingly autonomous AI systems while managing new cybersecurity and operational risks.
- Governance and Compliance: Adapting organizational policies and risk-management frameworks as AI capabilities and regulations evolve.
- A Bifurcated Technology World: Navigating different regulatory environments, geopolitical considerations, and technology ecosystems across the U.S. and Asia.
- Cross-Border Strategy: Identifying opportunities for collaboration and business expansion while recognizing the constraints of operating in multiple markets.
For business leaders, the discussion underscored that successful AI adoption requires more than technological capabilities. Trust, resilience, governance, and strategic awareness are increasingly important considerations in building sustainable AI businesses.
Investing in the Future: Pan-Pacific AI Opportunities
The final panel shifted the conversation to capital, investment trends, and the opportunities for building and scaling AI companies across the Pacific.
Featuring perspectives from investors active in AI, financial services, hardware, robotics, and asset management, the discussion highlighted the broad range of sectors attracting investment interest.
The panel explored the evolving investment landscape, including opportunities in emerging AI technologies, the growing importance of industry-specific applications, and the strategic considerations facing entrepreneurs seeking to raise capital and expand internationally.
The conversation also reinforced the importance of connecting innovation, capital, and market access—an area where AAMA's longstanding relationships across Silicon Valley and Asia-Pacific can create meaningful value for its community.
More Than a Conference: Building Connections Across the Pacific
Beyond the presentations and panel discussions, the Summit provided an important opportunity for participants to connect, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations.
With more than 120 participants joining in person and virtually, the event brought together a diverse community spanning technology startups, established enterprises, venture capital, financial institutions, and professional services.
The networking reception following the Summit offered additional opportunities for attendees and speakers to continue conversations, strengthen relationships, and explore new business possibilities.
This spirit of connection is at the heart of AAMA's mission: bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to foster innovation, collaboration, and business opportunities across the Pacific.
Thank You to Our Community and Partners
The success of the AAMA Future of AI Summit was made possible through the contributions of our distinguished speakers, moderators, attendees, volunteers, and organizing team.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Cooley LLP, our generous host, and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, our event sponsor, for their support and partnership.
We also thank the AAMA Board, our dedicated event organizers, and everyone who contributed their time and expertise to making the Summit a success.
Looking Ahead: Continuing the Conversation
Artificial intelligence is evolving rapidly, creating extraordinary opportunities while raising important questions about business transformation, investment, trust, and global collaboration.
The AAMA Future of AI Summit demonstrated the value of bringing together diverse perspectives to explore these challenges and opportunities.
As AAMA continues its tradition of connecting Silicon Valley with the Asia-Pacific technology ecosystem, we look forward to creating more opportunities for our community to learn, connect, collaborate, and grow.
Whether you are an entrepreneur, investor, corporate leader, or technology professional, we invite you to join us at future AAMA events and be part of the conversations shaping tomorrow's opportunities.
Stay connected with AAMA: www.aamasv.com