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As I reflect on my experience at Web Summit, one of the world’s largest technology conferences, it’s difficult not to think about the convergence of creativity and technology. The event was a vibrant amalgamation of startup founders sharing bright ideas and cutting-edge innovations; content creators and athletes offering tips on content and influencing; and a diverse mix of CEOs, CMOs, media personalities and investors sharing their perspectives on all things digital. In essence, it was a week of thought-provoking discussions with no definitive conclusions, and strangely enough, that seemed perfectly acceptable.

From climate tech, to health tech, to enterprise solutions, to security, to e-sports and gaming, to the regulation of AI… there was much to learn and take in.

It was my first time at the conference and I see it as a place where imagination, investment, and coding collide. And I think the term “collision” is quite fitting. After attending some of the talks, there were a few things that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about. Here are three noteworthy “collisions” that left an impression on me at  Web Summit, kept respectfully anonymous:

Collision 1: Opinion vs Opinion

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On some stages, speakers politely agreed with one another. On other stages, people shared starkly opposing opinions. It made for a pretty dynamic atmosphere that underscored everyday divisions we see, on and offline, ranging from human relationships and social media dynamics to the differing perspectives on AI regulation in Europe versus the U.S. Some advocate for immediate regulation, viewing it as a necessity, while others find it stifling.

One talk actually addressed these divisions head-on, asking viewers to “embrace the gray area” – the place between two concrete standpoints. This nuanced perspective is often undervalued, yet is perfectly valid in a world that doesn’t exist solely in black and white.

Collision 2: Human Design vs AI

The ‘Creatiff.’ speakers track was particularly surprising, as leaders of creative agencies from Europe and Asia came in to share their feelings, opinions, and — let’s be honest — mostly their work. I watched in surprise as one creative shared gorgeous projects inspired by technology, like artwork and carpets inspired by a pixelated screen, then followed up by saying “I don’t need AI.” Artificial intelligence was definitely one of the hotter talking points at this year’s conference. And, interestingly, so was authenticity. For me, it was fascinating to watch individuals share their feelings on both.

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If you ask me, technology has always been the good guy and the bad guy. I’d say we can argue over whether charcoal and paper are superior to Adobe Illustrator in the same way we can argue about whether AI belongs in design. My view is that, as long as AI is used to augment, rather than replace, the human hand in design—especially if we can get attribution right in AI—why not think of it as yet another tool in the drawing box? Finally, no one is being physically compelled to use AI, so designers and creators of all kinds should feel free to create however they please.

Collision 3: AI vs Authenticity and Meaning

I consume a lot of content online so, naturally, I was excited to join one of the talks on whether “meaningful content” was the way of the future. I watched as two content creators, who have built businesses for a young audience who have grown up with TikTok and Instagram, made their arguments. One creator said there is no more room for “slow-burn storytelling” — after all, we only have a millisecond to gain attention — while another felt strongly that this is a problem, making an argument for platforms to combat this type of high-speed content consumption.

Even the opening question, “What is meaningful content?” proved difficult for the panel to answer. It ranged from helpful, to authentic, to even-a-laugh-can-be-meaningful. In a way, the contradictory nature of the discussion was a great way to see things from a new perspective.

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Embrace the mess.

To sum up my feelings about this year’s summit in three words, I’d choose “messy, inconclusive, and exciting. What I appreciated most about the event was that it felt like a place where people could express their opinions relatively freely, and work towards their goals, even when they were polar opposites. And I suppose that also summarizes how humans think. It’s creative expression at its finest — and it’s definitely messy.

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Growing up, this quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupery was one of my most cherished ones. Never did I imagine that one day, I would be able to see these words be put to practice and enacted each and every day by a team of diverse individuals, otherwise known as the beloved family of PaperplaneCo.

As a first-time intern at PaperplaneCo, I expected to be buried under mountains of work and perhaps, even receive a certain aloofness from my supervisors. I still remember the first meeting with my colleagues — my heart was pounding at a 100 miles per minute, my palms were sweating furiously, and there one thought that kept reverberating in my mind: “What if they don’t like me?” Little did I know that my fears would be allayed within the first few seconds of meeting them. I was enveloped by a warm, welcoming blanket of acceptance; it felt burrowing into a cosy comfort of a shared love for creating content and building on each others’ ideas.

I have always believed in organic interactions. As a Gen Z, it is ironic that I am not much into the idea of virtual friendships, of communicating via emails and text. But PaperplaneCo introduced me to this whole new world of sustaining relationships – with colleagues and clients – via online platforms, and it was an awe-inspiring experience.

I soon came to realise that the root of this abundant ocean of optimism and sunshine-energy in every member was their drive to soar to greater heights. We were separated by geographical locations but bonded by the love to see throughevery idea to fruition, to deliver each project on time, to create and inspire. We loved what we did, so coming to work (switching on your laptop really) was the highlight of each day. PaperplaneCo’s vibrant and spirited work culture has inspired me to bring on this same liveliness to my school and future workplace. One of the most important lessons I have learnt from this internship experience is: love what you do and the people you work with, and every day will seem like a fresh new page, a new beginning, a new dawn.

If I could sum up the engines of PaperplaneCo in a few words, it would be this: each member possesses the bright spark of unique individuality, and together, our teamwork dynamites. PaperplaneCo is a well-oiled machine, its parts primed and pumped, ready and raring to go each day. We are fuelled by the love, respect and appreciation we have for one another; our teamwork is dreamwork.

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