Qualtrics CEO Zig Serafin: The optimism around AI is contagious, and not just hype

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Diane Brady is an award-winning business

Good morning from Park City, Utah, where we are on Day 2 of Fortune Brainstorm Tech, led

As

Qualtrics CEO Zig Serafin and I cohosted such a dinner on Sunday night for 15 CEOs at a stunning outdoor location on Gracie’s Farm, a horse-rescue sanctuary in Wanship, Utah. This is one of several Fortune CEO Initiative dinners that we host around the country and—I hope—we will take to other parts of the world. Enterprise Mobility CEO Chrissy Taylor hosted a recent dinner at her home in St. Louis and QXO chairperson Brad Jacobs will host one in Greenwich, Connecticut, next month.

It was a diverse group of leaders from around the country. While the conversation itself was off the record, I asked Serafin to share some takeaways from the evening. Here are some highlights he shared with me:

The optimism around AI was contagious, and it’s not just hype. It’s about taking a pragmatic approach to solving real problems, one at a time. While many investments aren’t yet yielding results, in the places where AI is working, it’s helping organizations better connect with people. That’s an incredible opportunity.

Trust is the new currency of innovation, especially with AI. Its adoption will only succeed if it deepens trust with both customers and employees. This means using data responsibly and building deeper connections—something that’s more important than ever as consumers deal with higher prices and a new economic reality. This is also where AI’s greatest potential lies:

Even amid global shifts like tariffs and changing trade dynamics, there’s a powerful optimism. Leaders at the table saw a new era of globalization where countries are collaborating on innovation and new investment opportunities are emerging.

Serafin shared another takeaway that really resonates with me: how important it is to be deliberate about how we spend our time … on what is deeply purposeful, meaningful, and what ultimately fuels the soul.I sense a growing desire among leaders I meet to connect as human beings and tackle challenges that matter. If you’re interested in joining these conversations or want to learn more about the CEO Initiative, reach out to my colleague Sarah Worob at sarah.worob.com. I’ll have more insights from Brainstorm Tech tomorrow.Contact CEO Daily via Diane Brady at diane.brady.com

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