AI, Innovation, and the Human Factor: Lessons From Milken Global Conference 2025
From AI in education to U.S.–India tech partnerships, my Milken Conference 2025 conversations reveal where AI is heading—and what we must get right.
This was my first time attending the Milken Global Conference. If you haven’t been, imagine a week where Alex Rodrigues, Jill Biden, Jensen HBuang, and Bill Ackman are all roaming the same hotel lobby—alongside countless people whose net worth you’d need a Bloomberg terminal to decipher. The Milken Conference is part thought-leadership forum, part global capital marketplace, and part Hollywood-adjacent spectacle.
But the highlight for me wasn’t a panel or a pitch deck. It was having a glass of wine with Nicholas Kristof, who told me, with his signature calm intensity, that he was trying to smuggle himself into Gaza to report from the ground. I, on the other hand, spend the three days interviewing attendees in the Worth Studio set up in the lobby,
To be fair, it was a grand lobby to work from. (The Beverly Hilton is best known for hosting the Golden Globes.) I had the chance to sit down with some of the brightest minds driving the next wave of AI and technological change. The coming decade will reshape everything from how we learn, to how we work, to how we govern—and the discussions at Milken this year made that clearer than ever.
Some of the highlights are below.
AI in Education: Human‑in‑the‑Loop Design and What’s Next for Learning
I spoke with Suzanne DiBianca of Salesforce about how emerging technologies can enhance—not replace—learning. Sahe said AI’s most significant potential lies in personalized scaffolding and adaptive content, but not at the expense of human connection.
As DiBianca put it during our discussion, “Human‑in‑the‑loop isn’t a feature — it’s a necessity.” That mindset—that human educators must remain central to AI-powered learning—was the panel’s consistent throughline.
John Chambers on U.S.–India Innovation & Leading Through Uncertainty
When I sat down with John Chambers, former CEO of Cisco and longtime champion of U.S.–India tech partnerships, he didn’t mince words about where the future is headed—or who will lead it. Chambers views India’s burgeoning innovation ecosystem as a global force in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud, and warned that companies can no longer afford to move cautiously.
“If you’re not embedding AI in your operations today,” Chambers told me, “you won’t be in business tomorrow.” It’s a stark message—and one that left no doubt about the urgency required to compete in this accelerating landscape.
Emily Musil on the Future of Work, AI & Global Impact
I had the chance to interview Emily Musil Church, futurist and director at the Milken Institute, about the impact of AI on the future of work. Our conversation covered a wide range of topics, from automation risks to the creative potential of human-machine collaboration.
“We have to be intentional,” Musil told me, “because AI should be a tool for agency, not inequality.” Her point: while AI will change the nature of work globally, it must be designed to empower—not displace—people, especially in underserved communities.
Vladimir Lukic on Seamless Tech & Smart Autonomy
In a conversation with Vladimir Lukic, Senior Partner at BCG, we explored the growing world of seamless tech and smart autonomy. From AI‑enabled transportation to ambient intelligent systems, Lukic painted a vision of the future where frictionless tech enhances daily life.
“The most advanced tech,” Lukic told me, “should be the least visible — but always accountable.” As we move toward more ubiquitous AI, that principle of transparency and governance will be essential to preserving public trust.
The Milken Conference is a unique space, bringing together policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, and technologists who strive to understand and shape the future simultaneously. This year, it was clear that AI is no longer a niche conversation or a tech vertical—it’s a horizontal force that will reshape industries and societies alike.
And all the folks who attend conferences like this know it. Even if no one is exactly sure how this will all work out.