A look at some themes at this year's Hill and Valley Forum: embracing government-led industrial policy to onshore manufacturing, AI's unpopularity, and more
Plus, Kleiner's big fundraise & a reckoning for social media … The Main Item
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Hill and Valley Forum: Tech Warms to Industrial Policy, Cools on AI
This year's Hill and Valley Forum revealed tech's shifting stance on government incentives and growing AI skepticism.
The Hill and Valley Forum surfaced some striking themes this year. Chief among them: the tech industry is increasingly embracing government-led industrial policy aimed at onshoring manufacturing. That's a notable shift for an industry that historically resisted heavy government involvement.
AI's unpopularity also emerged as a key talking point. Despite billions pouring into the space, sentiment around artificial intelligence appears to be souring — at least among forum attendees tracking the political landscape.
Meanwhile, Kleiner Perkins landed a major fundraise, signaling continued VC confidence even as broader narratives shift. And social media faces what's being described as a reckoning, though specifics remain to be seen.
The forum increasingly serves as a barometer for where tech and Washington intersect. This year's message: government money is welcome, and AI hype is wearing thin.