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Reid Hoffman: Behind the scenes of a revolution driven by artificial intelligence
AI according to Reid Hoffman: audacity, pragmatism and vision
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It is in the cozy atmosphere of the Collège des Bernardins, in the heart of the Latin Quarter of Paris, that Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and co-founder in 2022 of the startup Inflection AI ; VC at Greylock Partners and key figure in Silicon Valley, shared his vision of the future of artificial intelligence at the end of last week, as part of the 21e edition of the Entretiens debates, liberal think tank.
The subdued atmosphere contrasts with the tumult of his agenda. Arriving a few hours earlier, the billionaire and investor sits next to the CEO of Mistral AI Arthur Mensch and Maurice Lévy, honorary president of Publicis, CEO of Solocal, founder and director of YourArt, an online sales platform for contemporary art in 2023, which will acquire Artmajeur, one of its competitors.
Visibly tired, but still alert, Hoffman speaks with communicative energy, mixing personal anecdotes and strategic perspectives.
Its message is clear: artificial intelligence, far from being an apocalyptic threat, represents a unique opportunity to reshape our societies, provided we approach it with boldness and pragmatism.
An entrepreneur shaped by failure
“ American, I fail fast. » These words, spoken with a smirk, sum up a philosophy that has shaped the career of Reid Hoffman. For him, failure is a step, not an obstacle. This typically American approach contrasts sharply with European culture, where the fear of error often inhibits innovation. “ In Europe, we are sometimes too afraid of breaking something, of taking risks. In the United States, failure is seen as a tool to learn and move forward faster “, he explains.
Hoffman illustrates his point with a telling example: the launch of ChatGPT by OpenAI in 2022. “ The technology was far from perfect in its early days. But this choice to deploy quickly made it possible to iterate, improve, and above all capture the public’s imagination. In Europe, this approach would probably have been stifled by regulations and endless debates. »
This frantic, almost instinctive pace is an integral part of the American technological ecosystem. But Hoffman, far from advocating the absence of a framework, emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between speed and responsibility. “ Innovation is like driving a fast car. You need a competent driver and working brakes, but you can’t go 10 km/h if everyone is going at 200. »
AI: a new industrial revolution
Sitting on the side of the stage, near Maurice Lévy, Reid Hoffman leans slightly forward, as if to capture the attention of each spectator on the multiple screens broadcasting the trio’s exchange. His eyes light up when he discusses the potential of artificial intelligence. For him, AI is not just a technology ; it’s a real industrial revolution.
“ Imagine a world where every person has access to a cognitive assistant capable of multiplying their research and analysis capabilities. It’s not science fiction, it’s already a reality he says, referring to generative models like GPT. According to him, AI could transform entire sectors, from health to education to finance.
But he warns: this revolution requires a complete overhaul of corporate structures. “ If you are in retail, think about how AI can transform your customer relationships. If you are in banking, ask yourself how these technologies can redefine your services. What is certain is that no one can afford to stay still. »
Hoffman emphasizes the need for businesses to take a proactive approach. “ You have to experiment, build prototypes, test them quickly, and above all accept being wrong. It is in mistakes that the best ideas are born. »
Double-edged regulation
The exchange naturally slides towards the hot topic of standardization. Reid Hoffman, while recognizing the importance of protecting citizens, warns against the excessive accumulation of rules in Europe. “ Regulations, when they are too numerous or too rigid, become a brake on innovation. And this is particularly dangerous in a field like AI, where time is against us. »
Hoffman cites the example of the United States, where regulations are often less onerous, allowing companies to quickly test solutions. “ This does not mean that there is no need for a framework. But we must first understand the real opportunities and risks before legislating. Innovation doesn’t wait. »
The room, attentive, seems divided. Some nod, others murmur. But Hoffman’s message is unequivocal: regulation must be a tool to guide innovation, not a straitjacket that stifles it.
Open source: a risky bet, but necessary
Addressed by Arthur Mensch, Reid Hoffman addresses the complex theme of open source models in artificial intelligence. He recognizes their potential to democratize access to powerful tools, but also highlights the risks they pose. “ Making models accessible allows entrepreneurs from all over the world to build innovative solutions. But this also opens the door to malicious uses. »
This dilemma, according to him, should not paralyze the industry. “ You have to find a balance. Open source is an opportunity to accelerate the development of AI, but it requires enlightened governance and international collaboration. »
A future to reinvent
As the early evening draws to a close, Reid Hoffman concludes on an inspiring note, true to his pragmatic optimism. For him, artificial intelligence is not a threat to fear, but an opportunity. “ If we are afraid, we risk missing out on the greatest transformation of our time. AI can not only improve our lives, but also solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges. »
He discusses scenarios where AI helps diagnose complex diseases, improves education in the most isolated regions, or even optimizes the management of energy resources. But to do this, you have to dare, experiment, and above all, collaborate. “ What matters is not just what AI can do, but what we decide to do with it. »
Reid Hoffman, already expected in London for a series of meetings, greets the audience with a smile. Paris will meet him again next February, during the Summit for Action on AI.
