AI Leadership - Alex Lieberman, Tenex

Key Concepts

• AI Engineer Code Summit 2025: A conference focused on the practical application of Artificial Intelligence.
• 10x.co: An AI transformation firm assisting businesses with AI integration.
• AI Transformation: The process of incorporating AI technologies into existing business operations.
• Frontier of AI: The cutting edge of AI research and development.
• Mid-Market & Enterprise Companies: Businesses of medium to large size, representing the target clientele of 10x.co.

Welcome and Conference Overview

The AI Engineer Code Summit 2025 officially commenced with a welcome address by Alex Lieberman, co-founder of Morning Brew and 10x.co, who is serving as the Master of Ceremonies (MC) for the event. Lieberman initiated the session with a quick audience poll, noting a significant representation from New York, San Francisco, and Austin, with attendees traveling from as far as New Zealand and Ecuador.

He explained his transition from the newsletter industry (Morning Brew) to the AI space, driven by a desire to contribute to a field with significant potential and collaborate with leading experts. He articulated this motivation through a question he posed to himself: “What space do I want to spend my time in for the next 20 years where I can build something consequential and spend my time with some of the smartest people I've ever met?” The answer, he stated, was to be “as close to the frontier of AI as humanly possible.”

10x.co and the Focus on AI Transformation

Lieberman detailed the founding of 10x.co, an AI transformation firm dedicated to assisting mid-market and enterprise companies in integrating AI into their business models. He emphasized his unique position within the company as the sole non-technical member, highlighting his preference for this dynamic. This suggests a business model focused on bridging the gap between technical AI development and practical business application.

Industry Context and Conference Scope

Lieberman characterized the current year as a “banner year” for the AI industry, framing the summit as an opportunity to reflect on past progress and gain a “tactical view of where we are headed.” The conference agenda is designed to encompass a broad spectrum of perspectives, including insights from AI research labs, Unicorn AI startups (privately held startup companies valued at over $1 billion), academic institutions, management consulting firms, and Fortune 500 brands. This indicates a holistic approach to understanding the AI landscape, covering both theoretical advancements and real-world implementations.

Sponsor Acknowledgement

Lieberman dedicated a portion of the opening remarks to acknowledge the sponsors who facilitated the event. Google DeepMind was recognized as the presenting sponsor, followed by Anthropic as the platinum sponsor. Additional applause was given to the gold and silver sponsors, with attendees encouraged to connect with them at the expo area.

Call to Action

The address concluded with an enthusiastic call to action, encouraging attendees to actively participate in the summit: “Are you guys ready to do the damn thing? Let's do it.” This sets a tone of energy and collaboration for the event.

Synthesis

The opening remarks established the AI Engineer Code Summit 2025 as a pivotal event for professionals in the AI field. The focus is on practical application, bridging the gap between research and business implementation, and fostering collaboration across diverse sectors. Alex Lieberman’s personal journey and the founding of 10x.co underscore the growing demand for AI transformation services and the importance of understanding the business implications of this rapidly evolving technology. The broad range of speakers and sponsors signals a comprehensive exploration of the AI landscape, from foundational research to commercial deployment.