Travis KalanickCo-founder & Former CEO

I don't think robots and AI will take every job. AI can make some things more efficient and can help with jobs that are repetitive, but people are still needed for creativity, decision-making, and building trust. If someone builds something with AI that doesn't make people's lives better, it probably won't succeed.

AI helps businesses by digitizing the physical world. For example, it makes things like transport, logistics, and manufacturing more efficient. It's about using technology to give people their time back, not just grabbing their attention like social media does.

The idea came when we were in Paris, walking back to our hotel after dinner. Garrett Camp said, "Man, I wish we could just push a button and get a ride." That was the prophetic wish that led us to build the app. Instead of buying cars or hiring drivers, we realized there were enough cars out there already, so we focused on efficiency from the start.

Purpose is super important. You have to be really self-aware of who you are, so when the right opportunity comes, you'll recognize it. Your purpose becomes the foundation for building a company that matters and keeps you going every day.

I always tell them to be honest with themselves and understand their nature. If you know yourself well, you'll know when you find your professional soulmate or the thing you're meant to do.

You have to be clear about your values and use them as a filter when bringing people in. If someone doesn't share those values, it becomes obvious quickly, ideally during the recruiting process. It's not a judgment, just an assessment of fit.

If a mistake happens, it becomes clear early on. It's like a tennis player showing up on a basketball court-you quickly see it's not the right match. Good cultural values make it clear who belongs.

My focus is on digitizing the physical world-treating atoms like bits. That means looking at things like manufacturing, logistics, and real estate, and finding ways to make them more efficient using technology.

Start by looking at all the line items where humans are involved-customer support, account management, workflows. Find ways to get more leverage on those roles, often by digitizing or automating them.

Digital native companies are built from the ground up with technology, while existing businesses often have to retrofit. It's easier to start fresh, but established businesses can begin by digitizing support functions and workflows.

Timing is everything. Being too early is the same as being wrong, maybe even worse, because you waste a lot of money and time. My company before Uber was too early, and it was tough-first four years, no salary, just grinding.

For me, innovation at speed and scale is what gets me fired up. But it always comes back to efficiency-digitizing the physical world and giving people their time back, instead of just grabbing their attention like a social media app.

Look for everything in your business that hasn't been digitized or dematerialized yet. Someone will eventually do it if it's possible, so be the one to lead that change.