LA Tech Week 2025

It rained Tuesday during LA Tech Week. I actually used an umbrella in Los Angeles. Even with a packed calendar, I couldn’t make it to everything. Reminds me of how tech feels in general; we can’t keep up with everything on our own.

Most events were in Santa Monica, but Hollywood felt present throughout the week. Remember the guild strike? That was mostly about AI & IP. a16z hosted a documentary screening at United Talent Agency in Beverly Hills. I’ve never experienced sound like in that private theater.

Tech needs culture and culture needs tech. It’s about relevancy. 

Professional creatives need to stay technically relevant to access better opportunities when automation optimizes for efficiency. If software can replace storytelling, creatives’ edge is when they direct culture and attention.

Silicon Valley startups need to stay culturally relevant to increase their rate of growth when attention is a constantly moving target. If creatives can direct culture, then software’s edge is when its efficiency translates to better opportunities.

Culture drives attention; tech drives opportunity.

The question now is whether tech can run enough AI and ML that creative humans are no longer necessary to drive culture. Silicon Valley thinks Hollywood needs Silicon Valley, and Hollywood thinks Silicon Valley needs Hollywood.

Maybe a tech brand that’s not leading the AI race will partner with indie artists. This wouldn’t help them eat the world, but it could cut out a niche for them. 

Something like A24 + Common Tools + Story could be the indie trifecta: independent storytellers, coordinating together for increased distribution, using AI tools, with privacy and an LLM that only uses consented IP,  and enforcing licensing and royalties via a transparent blockchain. I’d buy speculative tokens and membership NFTs for that!