In a captivating evening at the Sydney Goldstein Theater, two Bay Area powerhouses – Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman – shared profound insights into leadership, innovation, and the transformative potential of San Francisco.

The conversation delved deep into the essence of success, with both leaders highlighting the critical role of exceptional talent. Kerr unabashedly credited the Warriors’ dynasty to Steph Curry, stating, “When I say Steph Curry, I don’t mean it as a joke. We are successful because of Steph Curry”. Similarly, Altman emphasized the groundbreaking contributions of lesser-known researchers like Alec Radford, who was instrumental in developing GPT technologies.

Beyond individual achievements, the discussion explored the weighty responsibilities that come with significant influence. Altman candidly acknowledged the double-edged nature of artificial intelligence, recognizing its potential to both cure diseases and potentially create catastrophic risks like novel pandemics.

Kerr, known for his vocal stance on social issues, underscored the importance of using platforms to address critical challenges like gun violence. His commitment to speaking out reflects a broader ethos of using leadership roles for meaningful societal impact.

As the evening concluded, both leaders shared an optimistic vision for San Francisco’s future. “There’s so much potential here because of the people here… because of the innovation,” Kerr remarked, capturing the city’s enduring spirit of creativity and possibility.

Their conversation was more than a mere discussion – it was a testament to San Francisco’s unique ecosystem that continues to breed groundbreaking innovation and leadership across diverse fields.