AI Leadership Retreat

Congratulations on being nominated for the 2026 AI Leadership Retreat Series - offered in partnership by Leaders in Tech and the Golden Gate Institute for AI.

This is a private retreat for 12 senior leaders playing an influential role in shaping the course of AI and its impact on the world. Nominees have been individually chosen by the Leaders In Tech and Golden Gate Institute for AI communities.

This program is by personal invitation only and your invitation is not transferable. If you’re interested in participating, please complete the brief application form below.

"My experience is that LIT accomplishes in four days what truly seems impossible: it both deeply develops leaders and builds the kind of trust-based alliances that make hard work possible." Sabrina Ross, California Chief Privacy Auditor

About our retreats

This program begins with an intensive 4-day retreat, followed by three 2-hour application sessions where participants can get help applying retreat learnings back into their work. It is designed to advance your leadership, communication, and self-understanding skills and help you play a positive, impactful part in shaping the future.

The program curriculum is based on T-groups, the same learning format as the legendary Interpersonal Dynamics ("Touchy Feely") program – the most popular course at the Stanford GSB for over 30 years. It will be led by experienced facilitators from that program. T-groups are small, deeply intimate groups in which participants discover for themselves how and when they are most influential, how their behaviors impact others and gain a richer toolkit for building trusting and powerful professional and personal relationships.

Participants in Leaders in Tech retreats routinely describe the experience as having a profound impact both professionally and personally (testimonials).

For clarity: while participants will all be drawn from the broader AI community, this retreat will NOT focus on discussions of AI. Instead, it is designed to build general skills that you can bring back to your daily life, helping you to navigate conversations about AI with greater self-awareness, interpersonal fluency and the ability to connect with others across differences – skills critical to both individual and collective success in navigating these complex topics.

Who is it for?

This is a private retreat for 12-13 influential leaders who have a role in shaping the course of AI and its impact on the world. Nominees have been chosen by the Leaders In Tech and Golden Gate Institute for AI communities, and include technology and product leaders working on AI, security experts, funders, academics, thought leaders and policymakers, and those taking AI leadership roles in media and civil society groups.

What does it cost?

$0 (originally $9,450)

The full cost of this program for those selected (including room and board) has been covered by our donors and past participants.

“While this is a big time commitment, it is by far the highest ROI course/event I’ve ever attended — by orders of magnitude.”

Blake Pierson

Co-founder & CEO

,

Fathom

“The experience can only be described as profoundly transformative. It was a privilege to be included in this valuable retreat.”

Laurie Yoler

Partner

,

Playground Global

“This was one of the most impactful four-day experiences I've ever had. Far and away worth the investment. I believe it will help me immensely in my personal and professional life and I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to participate.”

Ian Bassin

Founder & Executive Director

,

Protect Democracy

Leadership grounded in humanity is not a “soft skill” or a luxury. It is a strategic imperative.

Jen Easterly

,

Frmr Director of US Cybersecurity / CEO, RSAC

Program Leaders & Facilitators

All LIT programs are steered by LIT’s co-founder and world-class teacher Dr. Carole Robin. Carole most recently served as the Faculty Director of the Interpersonal Dynamics for High Performance Executives Program at the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB). She received the MBA Distinguished Teaching Award for her work in numerous courses, including Interpersonal Dynamics – the most popular elective course at the GSB for over 45 years.  She is the co-author of “Connect: Building Exceptional Relationships with Family, Friends and Colleagues,” based on the course, published by Penguin Random House.

Our AI Leadership Retreats will be taught and facilitated by our expert, Stanford-trained LIT facilitators in close collaboration Carole.

About Leaders In Tech

Leaders in Tech (LIT) is a 501c3 non-profit backed by a who’s who of industry leaders including Reid Hoffman, Accel, Greylock, Y Combinator, Lightspeed, Spark Capital, First Round, August Capital, Shasta Ventures, Foundry Group, Techstars, Evolve Foundation, and more.  LIT helps founders and executives of high-growth tech companies develop the essential interpersonal skills needed to build effective and purposeful organizations that can have a positive impact in the world. Read more alumni testimonials >>

About Golden Gate Institute for AI

The Golden Gate Institute for AI is a think tank dedicated to addressing the most critical challenges of the transition to a world with powerful AI. We envision a future where institutions and experts across domains collaborate with urgency and humility to meet these oncoming challenges and opportunities, promoting security, democracy, and shared prosperity.

Our mission is to support leaders as they navigate this high-stakes period by bridging disciplines, convening experts, and publishing accessible analysis of AI’s toughest questions. When conflicting perspectives emerge on crucial questions, we serve as the organization you can turn to for clarity and insight.

Our upcoming cohort dates

Fall 2026 Cohort

October 10-13th

Retreat

(

Scotts Valley, CA

)

Nov 5th, 9-11am PT

Zoom Session

Dec 3rd, 9-11am PT

Zoom Session

Jan 7th, 9-11am PT

Zoom Session

Winter 2026 Cohort

December 1st-4th

Retreat

(

Scotts Valley, CA

)

Dec 9th, 12-2pm PT

Zoom Session

Jan 6th, 12-2pm PT

Zoom Session

Jan 27th, 12-2pm PT

Zoom Session

AI Leadership Retreat Application Form

Please take a few minutes to complete the application below. All information will be kept confidential.