July 28th, 2025
3 min read
A seasoned founder, entrepreneur and executive with deep expertise spanning AI, machine learning, web3, blockchain, fintech, security, media and climate tech, Monette Stephens, Managing Partner, SF Growth Capital, has seen it all. She co-founded and ran a FINRA-registered broker-dealer and played a pivotal role in four successful exits through IPO or M&A. She’s helped companies scale by driving funding, M&A, go-to-market strategies and global expansion.
We sat down with Stephens to discuss how businesses today can thrive in this time of disruption, when AI is rapidly reshaping industries across the globe. “The companies that succeed,” she says, “are those that see AI as an opportunity, not a threat.”
Bridges and Barriers
Silicon Valley, according to Stephens, is the “Hollywood of technology.” It’s where the magic happens: where access to capital, talent and legacy knowledge come together to drive innovation.
Right now, AI is a big focus in the Silicon Valley ecosystem. And Stephens doesn’t see it as just another trendy innovation. For her, AI is a “foundational technology” that will eventually integrate into every part of business and society. Just like the internet or network infrastructure, it will become invisible yet integral. “AI is a technological shift, a new layer in the way our world operates. You’re not going to just use AI in one department or for one specific purpose; it’s going to be part of everything.”
In the enterprise world, AI will enhance jobs, not replace them. According to Stephens, businesses need to focus on using AI to boost productivity, automate workflows and increase efficiency, allowing human talent to focus on strategic decision-making and creative problem solving.
The rise of AI-powered copilots has already begun to change the landscape of software engineering. For Stephens, the role of the software engineer is evolving beyond writing code. It’s now about strategy, architecture, security and validation. “As AI handles more of the code generation, human engineers are free to focus on designing systems that are secure, scalable and reliable,” Stephens explains. “We’re entering an era where the focus is on the quality of the code and its impact, not just the quantity.”
Stephens adds that the real opportunities lie in supporting AI infrastructure. “It’s not enough to be an ‘AI company.’ You have to support the ecosystem,” she notes. A prime example of this is the development of new chipsets, like LPUs (Learning Processing Units) instead of GPUs, that are optimized for AI workloads. These innovations will power the AI revolution in the long term. “The companies that are investing in the next wave of infrastructure are the ones that are going to have real staying power,” Stephens says.
“AI is far more than a trend. It’s a foundational shift, much like the internet was. Businesses that embrace AI as a tool for efficiency and innovation, rather than a threat, will gain the most from this transformation.”
AI in Society
As AI continues to grow, so does the need for robust governance. Stephens says trust and ethical execution are paramount, especially as AI is integrated into critical sectors. “AI without governance is a recipe for disaster,” she warns. “The companies that succeed in the long run will be the ones that prioritize trust, transparency, and responsible use of technology, along with innovation.”
Stephens also highlights the growing concern over the environmental impact of AI-driven computing. As data centers and AI models demand ever-increasing amounts of power, sustainability can’t be an afterthought. “Optimizing energy use in AI and exploring sustainable solutions, like using renewable energy to power data centers or even the possibility of building data centers in space, will be crucial for the future,” she says. “We need to think long-term about the environmental footprint of the technologies we’re creating.”
In Stephens’ eyes, the future is bright for those who embrace AI as a tool for innovation and ethical progress. Her advice? Don’t fear the disruption – embrace it.
