Society is polarizing into two dominant modes. One end is hyper-technology and AI. The other is a massive resurgence of analog, old-school activities like festivals, door-knocking, and in-person connection. This creates a huge opportunity for high-touch, human-centric businesses to thrive.
Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel calls his focus on live events "the opposite of an AI bet." The logic is that as AI makes digital content abundant, the scarcity and value of real-world, in-person human experiences will skyrocket. This is a powerful counter-narrative that leverages the AI trend to its advantage.
As online spaces are degraded by bots, the value of real-world community and live events is skyrocketing. Disney appointing its head of parks as its next leader signals a strategic corporate shift, prioritizing tangible, human-centric connection as the most defensible and valuable asset in an increasingly artificial world.
As screens fill with increasingly "artificial" AI-generated content, Brian Chesky believes people will crave genuine, real-world interactions more than ever. This counter-trend, evidenced by the rising popularity of concerts and travel, creates a huge tailwind for businesses that facilitate offline connection.
As AI drives the marginal cost of digital content to zero, unique, in-person events become increasingly valuable. This is a strategic bet on the enduring human need for social connection and status, which cannot be digitally replicated. Value shifts from the digital to the physical.
While competitors focus on scalable AI and digital products, a significant, less-crowded opportunity exists in high-touch, in-person (IRL) experiences. This "anti-trend" approach creates a strong competitive moat and appeals to audiences fatigued by digital overload.
As AI makes digital content increasingly artificial and indistinguishable from reality, the value of authentic, in-person human connection will skyrocket. The most powerful counter-position to the AI trend isn't less technology, but rather using technology to facilitate more tangible, "real" world interactions.
In a world saturated with AI, authentic human connection and community will become even more crucial. Shared, in-person experiences, like watching a football game with friends, offer a level of fulfillment that technology cannot replicate, making community a key area of future value.
As AI makes information universally accessible, traditional status markers like 'knowledge' will devalue. The new status will be derived from the ability to convene and lead large, in-person communities. Influence will be measured by one's capacity to facilitate real-world human connection and experiences, fighting digital isolation.
Brian Chesky posits that as the digital world becomes increasingly artificial, the value of authentic, in-person experiences will skyrocket. The true counter-position to the AI trend isn't different tech, but the "real world." This creates a massive opportunity for businesses focused on tangible human connection.
Instead of investing in AI, which he admits he doesn't fully understand, Emanuel is betting on its societal consequence: more leisure time. His thesis is that as automation creates 3-day work weeks, the demand for live, communal experiences will skyrocket, making live events the ultimate growth market.