HumanX: A Conference Bridging AI and Human Connection
Las Vegas recently hosted HumanX, a new conference centered on artificial intelligence that attempted to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and the enduring human need for connection. Attendees, who paid between $995 and $3,995 for tickets, found themselves seeking more than just AI insights; they craved interaction.
The closing party at a crowded Las Vegas nightclub exemplified this, as Wyclef Jean, fresh from a performance, navigated through a sea of attendees. Conference-goers, despite the AI focus, sought out moments of human connection, from mingling with venture capitalists to meeting the rap legend.
The Appeal of In-Person Events
“It’s unlikely a Midwestern CTO at a manufacturing company is ever going to be sitting in a room with Vinod Khosla,” said Stefan Weitz, co-founder and CEO of HumanX, referring to the Khosla Ventures founder. “That’s really why you come to an in-person conference.”
Khosla and other prominent figures, including Hugging Face co-founder Thomas Wolf and OpenAI CTO Kevin Weil, participated in intimate Q&A sessions that were among HumanX’s most popular events. Lines of over 400 people frequently formed to attend.
Weitz explained, “To be in a room with Kevin [Weil] and when he can literally look in the eyes of people that are using his product every day and asking questions as a product person, that’s really powerful.”
Stefan Weitz, CEO and co-founder of HumanX.
Weitz, a former Microsoft senior director, partnered with event producer Jonathan Weiner to launch HumanX. They secured $6.2 million in venture funding from Primary Ventures, Foundation Capital, and FPV Ventures. “The food and beverage alone is multiple millions of dollars,” Weitz noted. “We knew we were going to lose money in year one.” The event is planned to move to San Francisco and double in size next year.
The Gamble on AI
Navigating the casino at the new Fontainebleau Las Vegas each morning, the conference felt like a metaphor for the current state of venture investing. Investors are betting substantial sums on AI companies, hoping for a payoff despite the frozen IPO market.
Jai Das, president and partner at Sapphire Ventures, was asked about gambling in the casino and revealed he doesn’t gamble, saying, “I gamble enough with my LPs money.”
Katelin Holloway, founding partner at 776, shared this sentiment, observing that “The valuations are so inflated it doesn’t make sense to go public.”
Attendees at the HumanX conference could visit a dog park.
Providing a break from the hectic conference, a speakeasy, massage booth, and a dog park were available near the main stage. Attendees could relax with the animals while listening to speakers.
Steffan Mos, a sales manager at Vectera, said, “It was a good break to disconnect from the craziness of the conference. It brings the human element to the HumanX conference.”
