A Tale of Two Cities: Pittsburgh and San Jose. Steel industry meltdown versus AI rise and new jobs in the Valley.

The promise as I wrote in my latest book: Silicon Heartland, from Rust Belt to Tech Belt.

This couldn't be more apparent than on the front-page of the San Jose Mercury News, January 21, 2024 issue.

Spotted at my local newsstand in the Bay Area.

ASK A VC SHOW

Alireza Masrour

Plug and Play Ventures

January 17

From Plug and Play in Silicon Valley, this VC shared how he sources deals across AI, web3, fintech and other disruptive fields and helps them scale up. Since 2008, Alireza has led more than 200 venture investments at PNP, a well-oiled startup machine.

Asia Society Panel: Examining US-China Relations

Panelists Gary Rieschel, Elizabeth Economy and Daniel Russell pinpointed a new era of managed competition and de-risking (no longer decoupling) in the "very fragile" US-China relationship.

The Black Box of information about China was highlighted as a risk for business. A panel led by Jim McGregor underscored how much China's economy has changed post-Covid with many expats gone, slowed growth, and ruling by fear.

To be seen: how a Trump or Biden administration will change the US-China dynamic.

A field to watch: Chinese EVs become dominant worldwide.

A conclusion: the US needs to rebuild its own economy.

Snapped Microsoft's Satya Nadella roaming the startup floor at CES 2024 and pausing at the Hong Kong booth to chat with

co-founder Dr. Steve Kong of AI-Guided.

This young entrepreneur is now fielding VC inquires in the Valley about how much money he's looking to raise for his startup, which uses AI to guide the visually impaired.

Silicon Dragon Global at CES 2024

Our 6th Annual Event

Where VCs & Founders Met in Vegas

January 10

AI was everywhere at CES this year!

Our VC speakers Nan Zhou of Qualcomm Ventures, Jay Eum of GFT Ventures underscored the high valuations for AI startups while other experts compared the frenzy to the dotcom boom. and questioned whether it will last. Also on the agenda: value of open source AI, privacy and copyright issues over data, and the continued tug between the US and China over tech power.

China was back at CES.

Check out this flying car from Xpeng, a Chinese maker of connected electric vehicles. It was a hit at the show.

See more event photos

and full program.