Silicon Valley in person – between vision, daring and change
In September, I spent ten days in the San Francisco Bay Area with my daughter Antonia. We wanted to experience the region that has transformed our work and daily lives for decades. Our study trip included visits to technology companies and universities, as well as urban neighborhoods, nature, and everyday experiences.
Looking back, one question has preoccupied me most: How do people recognize the potential of a new technology early on? And how do they develop something world-changing from it? These questions kept cropping up in Silicon Valley, in the museum, on campus, and while out and about in San Francisco.
The Computer History Museum brings the big picture together
My extensive visit to the Computer History Museum in Mountain View was one of the highlights of my trip. Early computers like the IBM 1401 and the PDP-1 made the beginnings tangible. I've witnessed the rise of computing firsthand for more than four decades, and I've also played a part in shaping this development in my professional life. At the museum, my own memories and the technological milestones came together to form a comprehensive picture.
What impressed me most were the people behind these machines. Outstanding engineers recognized potential long before a broad market emerged. Entrepreneurs had to make decisions with uncertain outcomes. Sometimes they staked the future of their company on a new technology. All or nothing. This combination of foresight and daring fascinated me.
In retrospect, successful developments often seem inevitable. Standing before the exhibits, I was reminded once again how far from certain they must have been back then. An idea had to work technically, be financially viable, and ultimately convince people.
I see a parallel to today's AI development. Once again, fundamental technological capabilities are being expanded. Once again, companies are facing far-reaching decisions: When do we invest? What skills do we need? Which previous assumptions must we abandon? Looking back helps me to better understand the implications of such decisions.
Experience the local spirit
Antonia and I absorbed this atmosphere intensely in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Stanford. On the university campuses, the academic rigor and the importance of education were immediately apparent. In Berkeley, a lunch break in the cafeteria was part of the experience. In Stanford, we took time to explore the campus, the Memorial Church, and the surrounding area.
In San Francisco, we visited the offices of Anthropic and OpenAI. We viewed them from the outside and explored the surrounding neighborhoods. In South Park, we happened upon two interviews, or rather job interviews, taking place outdoors. A small observation that gave us a good insight into the local work environment.
The technology didn't remain abstract. During our Waymo rides, we sat in a driverless car. It took us through the city. We had been reading about this development for years. Now it had become a completely normal part of our day. I found this combination of a great idea and practical application particularly impressive.
Two generations of technology on one company sign
At the Meta campus, a glance at the other side of the company sign was enough. Meta on the front. Sun Microsystems on the back. Two names and two eras at the same location. The Sun logo was deliberately left on the back. It was meant to serve as a constant reminder: even a once-leading technology company can lose its position. Those who want to remain successful must evolve.
For me, it was more than just a remarkable photo opportunity. Sun's rise is part of that computer history I witnessed firsthand. At the same time, the sign brought back memories of our visit to Stanford. Even the name Sun originates from the Stanford University Network. A workstation developed there became the company's technological foundation.
Suddenly, research and entrepreneurial innovation stood alongside the transience of great names. The old logo isn't a hidden footnote. It makes the change visible. For me, it conveys a clear message: experience remains valuable. But it must constantly be measured against new opportunities and changing requirements.
The high costs of this dynamic
The trip also included some thought-provoking experiences. We found the price level to be exceptionally high in many places. We noticed this in hotels and restaurants as well as in everyday expenses. Living in this region requires considerable financial resources.
My impression was that top performance and economic success seem to be almost a ticket to a good life here. At the same time, it would be too simplistic to view financial security solely as a result of personal achievement. People with important daily responsibilities also have to manage these costs.
The drives through different city districts, shopping trips, and visits to recycling centers were therefore just as much a part of the trip for me as the well-known company premises. They showed us an everyday life beyond the big technology stories.
What I'm taking away for our work
What I take away from this trip above all is energy and a sharpened perspective. Technological developments deserve attention before their impact becomes undeniable within one's own company. At the same time, every investment needs a concrete idea of the benefits it should create.
For our work, this means: taking existing knowledge and functioning applications seriously, practically testing new possibilities, and making timely decisions. This applies to AI as well as to the further development of existing IT platforms.
The trip with Antonia was particularly valuable. She's studying industrial engineering and is currently working on her master's thesis. For her generation, dealing with change will be a key professional challenge. It was important to me to give her a firsthand look at this dynamic. The vision of the engineers at the museum and the Sun logo represent two sides of the same story. New things can make great things possible. Nevertheless, success is never guaranteed. Many conversations arose between my years of experience and her forward-looking perspective. These will surely stay with us for a long time to come.
Stefan Ehmig
What developments are you currently working on in your IT? I look forward to discussing them.
