An In-Depth Summary & Analysis of Keynote Speech from Zack Kass
On June 18, the Lancaster Chamber hosted its 153rd Annual Dinner with Keynote Speaker, Zack Kass, CEO & founder of ZK.AI Advisory and former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI. Zack delivered a powerful keynote centered on the transformational impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and the need for thoughtful adoption.
(Summary generated by ChatGPT 4.0 from full keynote speech transcript)
Zack Kass opened his keynote with an urgent message: the time to adopt artificial intelligence isn’t coming—it’s already passed. “The time to adopt was yesterday,” he declared, highlighting that the real barrier is no longer cost or access, but mindset. Kass cited the rapid drop in operational costs for running AI models: “GPT-4 was $60 per million tokens… today, it’s less than $1.40.” For businesses in Lancaster County, especially small- to mid-sized enterprises, this means the entry point to AI is more accessible than ever. Those who embrace this shift can unlock efficiencies, enhance service, and stay ahead of competitors who are slower to adapt. Adoption doesn’t have to start big—introducing AI to automate repetitive tasks or support customer service are practical first steps. What matters most is cultivating a culture of exploration, where teams are encouraged to learn and experiment.
AI is the Next Utility
Kass introduced the idea of “unmetered intelligence”—a future where AI is as abundant as electricity or Wi-Fi: “The cost of running machine intelligence will be so low that the computational power of our brain will pale in significance.”
This shifts the competitive advantage from access to application. The real value lies in how local businesses use AI to solve problems creatively and efficiently.
Kass introduced the concept of “unmetered intelligence”—a future where access to advanced machine intelligence is as commonplace as electricity or water. “The cost of running machine intelligence will be so low that the computational power of our brain will pale in significance,” he explained. This marks a pivotal change in the way businesses must think about AI—not as an elite innovation, but as a utility that underpins everything. For Lancaster County’s business community, this shift means the value won’t lie in merely having AI—it will lie in how it’s applied. Businesses should begin mapping where intelligence can be injected across departments: optimizing inventory, enhancing forecasting, automating communication. The winners won’t be those who adopt AI, but those who integrate it purposefully and creatively into everyday workflows.
While the promise of AI is immense, Kass made a critical distinction about the human experience of this transformation. “We’re not facing a job displacement crisis… we’re facing an identity displacement crisis,” he cautioned. As roles evolve and traditional pathways shift, people may struggle not because they’re unemployed, but because the work that once defined their sense of purpose has changed. Lancaster businesses should take this to heart. It’s not enough to talk about automation; leaders must also talk about meaning. Companies can prepare by investing in communication that reassures employees, providing reskilling opportunities, and fostering a culture where purpose is reinforced—even when roles shift. Supporting the emotional journey through change will be just as important as supporting the logistical one.
Emotional Impact Will Outpace Economic Disruption
Kass reframed the job loss narrative as something deeper: “We’re not facing a job displacement crisis… we’re facing an identity displacement crisis.”
This warning urges leaders to recognize that workers may struggle not with unemployment, but with the emotional consequences of change. Supporting staff through transitions will require more than training—it will demand empathy, purpose, and clear communication.
One of the most poignant moments of Kass’s address came when he described what he sees as the defining value of the human worker in an AI-driven world. “The immutable feature of being human has so much to do with not what we know, but how we make each other feel,” he said, recalling a story about his father, a physician who was chosen by patients not for having the best treatment plan—but for how he made them feel during their care. This is a powerful call to action for Lancaster’s service-oriented businesses. While knowledge may be commoditized by AI, qualities like compassion, trust, humor, and empathy will only grow more valuable. Whether in healthcare, finance, education, or retail, organizations should double down on emotional intelligence. Training customer-facing teams to lead with empathy, personalizing service experiences, and building authentic relationships will become key differentiators in a world where technical capabilities are universally available.
Leadership Must be Human-Centered
In an AI world, Kass argued, the competitive edge lies in being more human, not less: “The immutable feature of being human has so much to do with not what we know, but how we make each other feel.”
He shared the story of his father, an oncologist whose patients chose him not for his medical expertise—available anywhere—but for his compassion. That same principle applies in business: the human touch will remain irreplaceable.
At the heart of Kass’s message was a call to lead with hope. “Are you telling stories about how the future is getting better? Because if not, it doesn’t matter,” he said. In an age where fear and uncertainty often dominate headlines, Kass urged leaders to be intentional about creating and sharing narratives of progress and opportunity. For business leaders, this is not a soft skill—it’s a strategic one. A workforce motivated by fear is a workforce that hesitates. A workforce inspired by vision is one that innovates. Leaders across Lancaster County would do well to craft their own version of a hopeful future—whether it’s how AI will help them serve more people, improve their community impact, or empower their teams. Optimism is not naïve, Kass reminded us. It’s foundational to action.
Build a Culture of Optimism
“Are you telling stories about how the future is getting better? Because if not, it doesn’t matter.”
Kass urged the audience to reject doom-and-gloom thinking and instead become sources of hope. For Lancaster County’s business community, that means using storytelling in marketing, HR, and leadership to energize teams and customers.
In a surprising but deeply resonant shift, Kass turned attention to the real world—literally. He argued that while we’ve become immersed in digital progress, we’ve neglected the physical spaces that foster true connection. “Can you create a world in which people want to go outside? That matters,” he said. For a place like Lancaster County—known for its strong sense of place and community—this is especially meaningful. Businesses have a role to play in restoring balance. Whether through office environments that prioritize wellness, events that bring people together, or advocacy for vibrant public spaces, there’s opportunity to anchor innovation in human experience. Technology may connect us, but community keeps us grounded.
Kass also emphasized that the ability to adapt—to learn continuously and embrace change—will be the defining skill of the modern professional. “Please, please learn how to learn,” he urged, explaining that formal education matters less now than the capacity to stay curious and agile. Businesses in Lancaster can lead by example, fostering cultures of learning that reward experimentation and allow room for iteration. Encouraging cross-functional collaboration, sharing AI resources internally, and even hosting informal learning sessions can build resilience from within. In the face of AI-driven change, it won’t be the most experienced who thrive—it’ll be the most adaptable.
Reinvest in the Physical World
While Kass is a technologist, he acknowledged the dangers of digital overdependence: “We built a world so fixated on our virtual experiences that we forsake the physical one… Can you create a world in which people want to go outside? That matters.”
This point is especially relevant for a region like Lancaster, where quality of place is a competitive asset. Businesses that invest in employee connection, experiential marketing, and real-world engagement will thrive.
Perhaps one of the most locally relevant ideas Kass offered was this: transformation will be led not from the top down, but from the community up. “More change is going to be effected at a local level… in your school, in your community, in your city.” This is a powerful insight for a region like Lancaster, where civic pride, business collaboration, and grassroots innovation are long-standing strengths. Local chambers, peer groups, and small businesses have the agency to drive responsible AI integration, workforce development, and ethical innovation at a scale that’s both personal and powerful. Business owners don’t have to wait for federal policy—they can lead now, right here.
Finally, Kass reminded everyone that while AI may change the rules of work, it will never replace what it means to be human. “AI is going to make the world a weird place… and at the end, we are going to be forced to reconcile the fact that we have to be more human, not less.” For Lancaster’s business community, this is both a challenge and a charge: embrace the tools of the future, but lead with the values of today. Innovation isn’t just about moving fast—it’s about moving with care, with intention, and with each other.
Learn, Adapt, and Lead Locally
Kass closed with this charge: “Start telling the truth. And… start telling stories about how the world can get better.”
In a time of great transformation, local leaders have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to lead not just through innovation, but through example. By embracing adaptability, doubling down on humanity, and uplifting their communities, Lancaster County’s business leaders can help shape a future that is both technologically advanced and deeply human.
Key Discussion Themes for Business Leaders:
Technology Adoption is Urgent and Ongoing
Kass emphasized that businesses cannot afford to wait on AI implementation. The costs of running AI systems are rapidly decreasing, making them more accessible than ever. Companies that integrate AI into their operations will gain a strategic advantage.
Human Skills Are the Differentiator
As AI commoditizes knowledge, humanistic qualities—empathy, trust, hope, and humor—will set organizations apart. For Lancaster’s relationship-based economy, this is a call to deepen the emotional intelligence within leadership and customer-facing teams.
The Local Matters More Than Ever
Kass argued that the most meaningful change will happen at the local level—in homes, schools, and cities. For Lancaster County, this is a direct opportunity to lead innovation from the ground up through entrepreneurship, workforce development, and community collaboration.
Optimism is a Leadership Strategy
In a media environment full of fear-based narratives, Kass challenged leaders to tell better stories about the future. By promoting hope and possibility, businesses can create cultures of resilience and innovation.
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