Death to the Black Box: Winning in 2026 through personal agency, financial prudence and community
Time: Wednesday 13th May 09:30-10:00
Room: Te Aro
Track: Keynote
AI is here. Budgets are tighter. Expectations are higher. And increasingly, we’re all operating inside systems we don’t fully understand — or control.
In this keynote, Serge van Dam challenges the default path. As big tech continues to consolidate power, he makes the case for a different approach: one built on personal agency, disciplined spending, and strong communities.
From pushing back on vendor lock-in and rethinking how AI is adopted, to questioning waste and demanding better value for money, this talk is both practical and provocative. It also explores why the things that truly endure aren’t closed systems — but communities with shared ownership and intent.
This is a call to stop accepting the black box, take control of the decisions that matter, and build more resilient, accountable ways of working.
In this keynote, Serge van Dam challenges the default path. As big tech continues to consolidate power, he makes the case for a different approach: one built on personal agency, disciplined spending, and strong communities.
From pushing back on vendor lock-in and rethinking how AI is adopted, to questioning waste and demanding better value for money, this talk is both practical and provocative. It also explores why the things that truly endure aren’t closed systems — but communities with shared ownership and intent.
This is a call to stop accepting the black box, take control of the decisions that matter, and build more resilient, accountable ways of working.
Speakers
Serge van Dam
Serge van Dam is a New Zealand-based entrepreneur, investor, and technology leader with deep experience across startups, product, and venture. Known for his pragmatic and often provocative perspective, he focuses on how organisations can navigate rapid technological change — balancing innovation with ownership, financial discipline, and long-term value.