Happy Friday Reader!

I'm finally home after an unforgettable wedding anniversary journey filled with love, laughter, and adventures in the snow. Coming back feels bittersweet, returning to our daily routines.

During my travels, I found myself in many conversations about my career and my passion for encouraging more women to explore AI. It surprised me how many people are still unfamiliar with technologies like ChatGPT – it's a reminder that there's so much potential for us to grow and learn together.

This year, I missed SXSW, a tech festival in Austin that I hold dear.

Despite this, I want to share how I stay connected and informed about the latest technology, even when I can't attend in person.

Let's delve into the heart of innovation together.

Time to Tune In ❤️

Each year, I eagerly anticipate SXSW in Austin. It's more than an event; it's a passion where I immerse myself in discussions about the future.

This year, though, I had to experience it from afar, and here's how I managed to stay in the loop:

• Stalking (in a non-creepy way) German LinkedIn friends who are living it up at SXSW and sharing their insights.
• Eyeballing the program, especially the AI track, and connecting online with speakers and attendees who have their fingers on the pulse of the future.
• And my guilty pleasure? Browsing through the book lineup. SXSW is a treasure trove of fresh-off-the-press tech reads, and it's like getting a sneak peek into the brainy trends shaping our world.

Ready to Gear Up 🧰

Oh, and Amy Webb? She's my annual tech oracle 🔮.

Her emerging tech report is my must-watch free YouTube recording.

Her work as a futurist and her role at the Future Today Institute offers a deep dive into the technological trends shaping our world.

This year, the 17th edition of the Tech Trends Report is something I looked forward to with great anticipation.

In just 60 minutes, she dives into AI (and yes, it's everywhere), the new era of connected ecosystem of things (hello, Apple Vision Pro), and the intriguing world of biotechnology.

If you thought AI was still a buzzword, Amy's session is a game-changer. Check it out for yourself.

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Put your Power Play on 🕹️

Here's the thing — for me, the debate isn't really about whether AI or emerging tech is good or evil.

It's all about what we do with it.

But then, there's this nagging question: why should a handful of white tech guys hold all the cards?

Amy throws this out there, calling out the tech "messiahs," honestly, I think it's time for a change.

I'm all in for championing a diverse future and sparking the fire in more women to become the changemakers we desperately need.

Ready to Accelerate 🚀

Why wouldn't we, as women, want to be involved in shaping this next generation of technology?

We know what it looks like when we aren't involved, so we must be involved.

All right, team, here's our game plan:

1. 📺 Watch Amy's talk on YouTube. It's thought-provoking and explains the importance of staying informed about these trends.
2. 🤓 Read the Executive summary of her 2024 tech trend report. Understanding the impact of AI and other technologies on our lives and industries is crucial.
3. 📣 Share the spark: Start conversations about these topics with your circle. Sharing knowledge is how we begin to make a difference.

Let's work together towards a more diverse and inclusive future in technology.

As a woman defining AI, Nichole Sterling wrote yesterday on LinkedIn: "Remember, you are powerful. You are concerned for the right reasons, and it's because of those reasons that you must get involved in shaping the future of technology for our daughters, nieces, sons, and grandchildren.

So, if you needed that additional kick in the pants - this is it. Let's get going."

❤️ from Venice Beach

Simone