Bending the Arc of the Digital Revolution: The Investor Guide to AI | Mike Kubzansky

In this episode of Future of Finance, Georges Dyer speaks with Mike Kubzansky, CEO of Omidyar Network, about how investors can actively engage with AI risks and opportunities to ensure technology serves broad societal benefit rather than concentrating power and prosperity among a few. Kubzansky explains how Omidyar Network—founded over 20 years ago by eBay's Pierre Omidyar—uses investments, grants, and advocacy to "bend the arc of the digital revolution" toward broadly shared prosperity. With nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars deployed across early-stage startups, funds, and policy work, the organization focuses on building intentional governance structures around emerging technologies, much like society learned to regulate automobiles and biomedicine. The conversation centers on practical strategies for investors looking to address AI-related risks in their portfolios. Kubzansky shares concrete guidance on how to work with external managers and portfolio companies to build trust, reduce harm, and create accountability around AI deployment. He emphasizes that technology doesn't govern itself—deliberate societal choices are required to capture benefits while minimizing risks. Kubzansky also offers career advice for impact-oriented professionals, encouraging them not to bypass traditional finance roles at institutions like Goldman Sachs or CalPERS. Building core technical skills first, he argues, creates more effective impact practitioners later—as long as they maintain their moral compass and view these roles as developmental stops rather than final destinations. Ultimately, the episode underscores how investors at every level can play a critical role in shaping responsible AI development through thoughtful engagement, governance, and strategic capital allocation.   Podcast: Odd Lots https://www.bloomberg.com/oddlots  Podcast: Tech Policy Press https://www.techpolicy.press/podcast/  Substack: Garrison Lovely https://substack.com/@garrisonlovely  Substack: Jasmine Sun https://substack.com/@jasmine  Book: Power and Progress, by Acemoglu and Johnson https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62315566-power-and-progress?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_27  Book: Carlota Perez: Technological Revolutions and Financial Capital https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60509.Technological_Revolutions_and_Financial_Capital  RailPen’s principles: https://www.railpen.com/news/2025/railpen-launches-new-framework-to-help-investors-and-companies-effectively-oversee-ai-related-risks/ Edelman Trust Barometer: https://www.edelman.com/trust/2025/trust-barometer/flash-poll-trust-artifical-intelligence  AIAT Report on the market and market size for AI Assurance Tech:  https://www.aiat.report/  Keywords: Responsible AI, AI governance, Tech policy, Digital revolution, Impact investing, Philanthropy, ESG investing, Technology regulation, Societal governance, Shared prosperity