Silicon Valley Study Trip Report: Insights into Gen AI, Web3 & RPA

This report summarizes my 5-day study trip to Silicon Valley. The trip was attended by over 20 professionals interested in Generative AI, Web3, and Robotic Process Automation (RPA). It is organized by the Singapore Management University (SMU) Academy under the course – “Internationalisation Series: Business Startups, Web 3.0 and Tech Companies in Silicon Valley, San Francisco. “  The program offered valuable insights, connections, and a deep dive into the heart of technological innovation – Silicon Valley. 

Day 1 (22 July 2024) – Palo Alto: Immersion in Innovation and Venture Capital

The trip commenced with a visit to Francis Ford Coppola’s venture, a great ice-breaker among the participants over fine wine and lunch. This relaxed setting allowed the group to bond while experiencing the intersection of traditional industries like winemaking with modern entrepreneurship.

The afternoon was dedicated to a business meeting and networking session at Yes Ventures. It is a VC firm specializing in cutting-edge technologies. This gave participants extensive networking opportunities and invaluable insights into how VCs evaluate AI and Web3 startups and their critical role in nurturing groundbreaking technologies.

Then, the day ends with a welcome dinner featuring special guests Kenneth, CEO of Mito Health (YC’24), and Winston, MD of LG Innovation San Jose. Both Singaporean executives shared their experiences building and leading tech companies in Silicon Valley. During the dinner, they offered a relatable perspective for our participants.

Day 2 (23 July 2024) – Palo Alto: AI Applications and Japanese Innovation

The morning began with a visit to Valuenex, a company at the forefront of AI-driven market intelligence. Their presentation showcased practical applications of Gen AI in business strategy and decision-making processes. It demonstrates the transformative power of AI in corporate environments in creating different radars for different diagnostic and predictive analytics models.

Then, the afternoon was split between the Japan Innovation Campus and FlowToys. At the Japan Innovation Campus, participants gained insights into how 3 Japanese companies are adapting to and adopting Gen AI and RPA technologies. Lunch was great, especially with authentic Japanese food. 

FlowToys also gave participants a tour of its startup. It focuses on low-tech, high-human-touch products. The company started by making innovative props for performers. Now, it makes theatrical entertainment mainstream through its e-commerce store.

Finally, the day ends with cultural visits to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge from one viewpoint. Though it was foggy as usual, participants were given enough time to walk up to 200 meters onto the bridge for great photography. 

Dinner was at Half Moon Bay, where almost all participants sat indoors due to the chilly weather. 

Day 3 (24 July 2024) – Palo Alto to San Francisco: From History to Future

The group started the day at the Computer History Museum. This was the place where we gained perspective on the evolution of technology from early computing to modern AI. 

This historical context enhanced their understanding of Computer Hardware and software development innovations. We also saw the prototype of WayMo, a driverless hailing service that started in 2014.  

We visited the Google Vistor Experience and the  Apple Cupertino Visitor Center early afternoon to buy Apple merchandise. A simple Tee-Short costs USD40. 

The afternoon at HanaHaus provided a networking opportunity with local entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts. The experience allowed us for exchanging ideas on the latest Gen AI and RPA trends.

The day concluded with optional events focused on Web3 and FlowToys, offering deeper dives into these specific areas of interest.

Day 4 (25 July 2024) – San Francisco: Diverse Applications of AI and Networking

The day began with a visit to the Marine Mammal Center. It was a wonderful place with a hospital to rescue sea lions and seals from gunshot wounds, sea pollutants, and natural causes. It is also heartwarming to know that even in a place like Silicon Valley, there are organizations that are committed to maintaining the wildlife ecosystem. They use extensive human care and low-tech tracking systems.

After that, an observation session at Luum Lash was very insightful. It is a beauty and fashion startup that builds a machine costing USD1,500,000 to plant fake eyelashes with amazing precision. The process will take 1 hour 30 min, including preparation. Then, one of our participants volunteered to be the subject, she ended up looking much more attractive than when the trip first began!

We packed the afternoon with an orientation tour. We started with a visit to Plug & Play, a leading startup accelerator. Then, we attended the Plug and Play AI Meetup and a Startup Grind event. There participants can witnessed 3 pitches from startups leveraging AI, Web3, and RPA in novel ways.

The day ended with a visit to a incubator where we learn about the difference between Large Language Models (LLMS) and AI Agent.

Day 5 (26 July 2024) – San Francisco: Innovation in Entertainment and Final Insights

We began the day by visiting the Walt Disney Family Museum. We explored how the man Walt Disney himself began his journey in 1923 with a passion for drawing, building a team, getting more contracts. He also uprooted to San Francisco, and eventually creating Disneyland to where it is now. Although he lived a short 65 years, he was at least 100 years ahead of his time for innovation and entertainment value creation. 

The trip concluded with a meeting with an AI startup. The meeting provided a final dose of inspiration and insights into the practical applications of Gen AI in business, such as collaborating with your work team to make LLMs more authentic and accurate.  

Key Takeaways

The pervasiveness of AI: The trip demonstrated that Generative AI is transforming industries across the board, from entertainment to conservation. In fact, this was evident in various visits, such as Valuenex. It showcased AI-driven market intelligence and its applications in business strategy. Furthermore, The visit to Luum Lash, a beauty startup using advanced technology for eyelash application. It also illustrated AI’s reach into unexpected sectors. Even in wildlife conservation, as seen at the Marine Mammal Center, technology plays a role in tracking and caring for animals.

Web3’s Growing Influence: Interactions with Web3 enthusiasts and entrepreneurs revealed a vibrant ecosystem poised to reshape internet interactions and digital ownership. This was particularly highlighted during the optional Web3 events and the Startup Grind event. There, participants could witness pitches from startups leveraging Web3 technologies in novel ways.

RPA’s Silent Revolution: RPA is quietly transforming businesses and enhancing efficiency across various sectors. We observed this during visits to Japanese companies at the Japan Innovation Campus.Again participants gained insights into how these firms are adopting RPA technologies to streamline their operations.

Silicon Valley Ecosystem: The trip highlighted Silicon Valley’s unique innovation ecosystem, characterized by openness to new ideas, risk-taking, and collaboration. This was exemplified by visits to venture capital firms like Yes Ventures, accelerators like Plug & Play, and networking events like the AI Meetup. Our visits to high-tech startups and traditional businesses like FlowToys illustrated the ecosystem’s diversity.

Networking Opportunities: The program provided numerous chances to connect with local entrepreneurs, VCs, and industry leaders, fostering potential future collaborations. Key networking events included the session at Yes Ventures, dinner with Singaporean executives Kenneth (CEO of Mito Health) and Winston (MD of LG Innovation San Jose), and various meetups and gatherings throughout the trip.

Cross-Industry Innovation: Visits to diverse companies showed how AI, Web3, and RPA are applied across different sectors. Now we can see them from traditional entertainment to niche industries. In fact, the range of sites we visited, including the Walt Disney Family Museum, showcased innovation in entertainment. Additionally, from Valuenex demonstrating AI in market intelligence, to FlowToys representing a low-tech, high-human-touch approach to e-commerce.

This Silicon Valley study trip provided participants with a comprehensive view of the current state and future potential of Gen AI, Web3, and RPA. The diverse program, combining company visits, networking events, and cultural experiences, offered valuable insights and connections. This experience will undoubtedly influence the professional journeys of all attendees.

A Final Word of Gratitude

I extend my deepest appreciation to Ivan Chang, whose leadership was instrumental in making our trip a resounding success. Ivan wore multiple hats throughout our journey, serving as our primary guide and an invaluable technology scout. His extensive network and deep connections in Silicon Valley opened doors to unique opportunities and insights. It indeed greatly enriched our experience.

It’s worth noting that Ivan’s professional background adds an intriguing dimension to his expertise. Currently employed by Disney for their upcoming Cruiseline venture, Ivan brings a blend of innovation and entertainment industry knowledge to our tech-focused excursion. In fact, it is set to launch in the third quarter of 2025. This unique perspective allowed us to explore the intersection of technology and user experience in ways we might not have considered otherwise.

I must also express my heartfelt thanks to Sandy and Sherlyn from the SMU Academy. Their contributions far exceeded the realm of typical administrative support. With meticulous attention to detail, they ensured that our group adhered to our demanding schedule. It help us keep on track and maximizing our learning opportunities.

Their role in coaching the end-of-course assessment was particularly noteworthy. Sandy and Sheryln provided valuable guidance and support, helping participants navigate the evaluation process confidently and clearly.

The fact that this marks the third iteration of the course allowed Sandy and Sherlyn to bring a wealth of experience to bear. They shared critical insights from previous runs, anticipating potential challenges and highlighting opportunities for enhanced learning. This institutional knowledge proved invaluable in refining and optimizing our experience.

In summation, the combined efforts of Ivan, Sandy, and Sheryln created a synergy that elevated this course beyond a mere educational experience. Their dedication, expertise, and passion transformed our journey into an unforgettable adventure of learning and discovery.