By Michael Goldberg, VP of Strategic Partnerships, Harvey Nash I recently returned from Web Summit Rio, and I haven’t stopped thinking about the experience—not just because the setting was spectacular (and it absolutely was), but because of the unique global perspective it offered on where the tech world is heading. Conferences like this often serve as a barometer for industry sentiment, but this one felt different. There was a clarity to the conversations, a sharpened focus on real challenges, and a collective sense that AI is no longer something we’re preparing for—it’s something we’re actively building into everything we do. Across panels, hallway conversations, and even the Tech Talks podcast we recorded live at the event, one theme kept coming up: The technology is here. The tools are evolving fast. But are we, as people and organizations, evolving with them? It’s easy to get caught up in the buzz—prompt engineering, generative design, smart copilots—but the deeper conversations happening in Rio were about capability. Not just what AI can do, but how we prepare our teams, leaders, and systems to thrive in a new reality. One stat from IBM really stuck with me: By 2030, 39% of today’s job skills will be obsolete. That’s not some distant-future scenario. It reframes AI not as a tech problem—but as a talent and training challenge that’s already here. A Global Moment, Not a Local Trend What made Web Summit Rio stand out was the shared urgency and honesty around transformation. Whether I was speaking with founders, enterprise leaders, or creators, everyone seemed to agree: AI isn’t a single project or platform—it’s a shift in how we build, lead, and grow. And that shift is global. From Brazil’s booming digital economy to the rise of decentralized platforms, it’s clear that innovation is no longer centralized in traditional hubs. Emerging markets are becoming proving grounds. Creators are evolving into infrastructure. And the AI conversation is moving beyond hype into application. From the Floor: Tech Talks Live at Rio We captured many of these insights in a special roundtable episode of Tech Talks, hosted by David Savage and recorded live on-site. The panel included Nicole Ingra, Benjamin Buthmann, and Rob Pegoraro, offering diverse perspectives on what’s changing in the global tech landscape. Here are a few standout themes from that conversation: AI Maturity Over HypeLess flash, more substance. Panels focused on real use cases—translation, transcription, creative tools—not theoretical futures. Creators Are the New InfrastructureThey’re no longer marketing add-ons. Creators are helping shape product strategy and customer engagement from the ground up. Brazil Is Leading, Not FollowingFor many global firms, Brazil is now their second-largest or fastest-growing market. It’s not a trend—it’s a strategy. Hard Conversations Still MissingWhile tech innovation was on full display, many keynotes sidestepped discussions around instability, regulation, and ethical risk. Decentralized Platforms Gaining GroundAlternatives like BlueSky are attracting attention with a focus on community, transparency, and digital trust. Listen to all the podcasts from the week: We have speakers from Justina Nixon- Saintil, IBM | David Shim, Read AI | Alexey Boas, ThoughtWorks | Rachel Tilghman, Braze | Melissa Jackson Parsey, R/GA | Lisa Smith, JKR | Emmanuel Straschnov, Bubble | What It All Means The most important takeaway from Web Summit Rio? The future of work isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. If 39% of our current skills are nearing expiration, it’s time to ask bold questions: Are we hiring for potential, not just past experience? Are we prioritizing continuous learning, not one-time training? Are we helping our teams grow with the technology—not behind it? The organizations that answer “yes” to those questions will be the ones that move from disruption to momentum. Let’s Keep the Conversation Going If you're thinking about how to invest in tech talent, scale AI initiatives, or reshape your skills strategy—I’d love to connect. Feel free to reach out or connect with Michael on LinkedIn. Let’s talk about what it means to build teams, not just tech.