The Future Runs on Open

AI is advancing faster than any technology in history, but whether it expands human agency or concentrates power will depend on one choice: open or closed. In this session, Manik Surtani makes the case that the future of AI must be built openly, collaboratively, and for the world. Drawing on his experience architecting distributed systems and leading open-technology initiatives at Block, Manik will argue that we are at a critical inflection point and that openness is the only path to innovation, security, and a future where AI serves everyone, not just a few.