The Mayor of San Francisco, Lurie, asks tech CEOs: "How can we achieve your return?"

The Mayor of San Francisco, Daniel Lurie, is seeking to restore the greatness of his city and believes that tech leaders, known for their utopian ideals, can be crucial in achieving this. During a recent event, Lurie spoke about his direct approach to CEOs and entrepreneurs, asking how they can maintain their presence in the city or even attract them back. A crucial aspect he must address, according to the mayor, is the growing drug crisis and homelessness, which have driven many business leaders away.

In the first 100 days of his term, Lurie has dedicated his time to touring the most troubled neighborhoods in San Francisco. He recently decided to eliminate a program that provided free pipes, aluminum foil, and straws for drug consumption, such as fentanyl. These common-sense policies, as Lurie calls them, are gaining support from the tech community. Flexport’s CEO, Ryan Peterson, even thanked the mayor for his efforts to improve the city as he left the event stage.

In addition to public safety initiatives, Lurie has emphasized the importance of facilitating construction and business development in San Francisco. In this regard, the city launched a new initiative called Permit SF, designed to reduce the bureaucracy facing startups. He also proposed a regulation that would allow for taller buildings in areas that previously only permitted single-family homes. If approved, it would be the first zoning change in San Francisco since 1970.

Lurie expressed his desire for entrepreneurs to start their businesses and remain in the city, suggesting that this involves simplifying the permitting processes. The mayor also called for unifying efforts and fostering a hands-on approach, something he believes has been lost in the city.

In the realm of artificial intelligence, Lurie is willing to offer tax incentives to companies that establish themselves in San Francisco. He has already collaborated with major companies in the sector to ensure the creation of offices and conferences in the city. For example, he successfully persuaded Databricks to keep its AI conference in San Francisco until 2030, instead of moving it to Las Vegas.

However, the arrival of new technologies such as robotaxis has raised concerns about the impact of the tech industry on other communities. Recently, Waymo obtained a permit to map SFO airport, although under conditions that limit the company's mobility of goods. Lurie mentioned that he worked with unions to secure this permit and reaffirmed his belief in the future of autonomous vehicles, commenting on the possibility of improving the city’s infrastructure to adapt to this trend.

Despite much of the technological innovation historically occurring in Silicon Valley, Lurie asserts that the AI boom is solidifying in San Francisco, offering a significant opportunity to revitalize the city. "When everyone sees what we’re doing, they’re going to want to be in San Francisco. Otherwise, they’ll miss out on something great," the mayor concluded.