This is AGI: Sequoia AI Ascent 2026 Keynote

The AI revolution represents a fundamental shift in computation, moving beyond simple information distribution to autonomous processing. This era is defined by the transition from incremental productivity gains to transformative capabilities, where long-horizon agents perceive environments, execute complex tasks, and persist until completion. Founders building on top of foundation models should prioritize a "customer-backed" strategy—focusing on moats, affordance, and diffusion—to navigate the rapid pace of technological change. As machine-driven cognition begins to handle the vast majority of tasks, the economic landscape will shift toward services-as-software, where agents perform roles ranging from legal litigation to scientific discovery. Ultimately, while AI will master the mechanics of work, human connection remains the essential element that provides purpose and value in an increasingly automated world.