Luxury real estate development firm SHVO proudly hosted the world’s premier AI conference, TED AI San Francisco, at the recently revitalized Transamerica Pyramid Center, a project completed in collaboration with Foster + Partners. This two-day event, taking place on October 22 and 23, brings together pioneers, innovators, and industry leaders who are harnessing AI to make a meaningful impact on society.
“TED AI is the preeminent global AI conference, and our ongoing partnership at the Transamerica Pyramid Center further solidifies the building’s unique role as a growing hub of creativity and innovation for AI and other emerging industries in the city,” said Michael Shvo, Chairman and CEO of SHVO.
In addition to hosting the conference, the iconic San Francisco landmark will feature an immersive AI-powered light show titled “Pyramid of Light & Sound” and its inaugural Robot Festival. This spectacular light show transforms the iconic tower into a vibrant canvas of light and color, designed using cutting-edge AI visual modeling systems and motion capture technology. It complements the groundbreaking discussions taking place during the second annual TED AI San Francisco Conference. Like the “Pyramid of Light & Sound” that captivated millions during the reopening ceremony, this show aims to inspire innovators worldwide to continue pushing the limits of technology and art.
Shvo remarked, “The Pyramid of Light & Sound serves as a beacon to the world, signaling a new innovation revolution unfolding here in San Francisco, with the Transamerica Pyramid Center at its core. We take immense pride in the investment made in remastering the Transamerica Pyramid Center with Lord Norman Foster, which is playing a crucial role in the broader revitalization of downtown and the city as a whole.”
The first night of TED AI San Francisco at the Transamerica Pyramid Center will feature live robotics demonstrations by companies such as 1X, Field AI, and Enchanted Tools, along with performances by King Most and Ryan Lucero. Guests will enjoy culinary creations from Michelin-recognized Chef Bradley Kilgore, who is developing three new restaurant concepts at the Transamerica Pyramid Center.
The Transamerica Pyramid Center has emerged as a global hub for technology, finance, and AI, attracting tenants like Blockchain Capital, Wedbush, and NextAxiom. Located on the northern edge of San Francisco’s Financial District, the center officially reopened on September 12, 2024, following a $1 billion investment by SHVO and Deutsche Finance America. This investment included the remastering of the building by Lord Norman Foster and his design firm, Foster + Partners. The iconic tower, a longstanding symbol of resilience and architectural ingenuity, along with its adjacent buildings, Two and Three Transamerica, has been reimagined with enhanced aesthetics and services, offering luxurious amenities and expanded public spaces. Transamerica Redwood Park, an urban oasis in the city’s heart, has also been meticulously restored and expanded, creating a new plaza, seating areas, and landscaping, making it a vibrant public destination once again.
As a symbol of innovation and resilience, the Transamerica Pyramid Center continues to be a premier venue for thought leadership and cultural events. It currently hosts three exhibitions: Pyramid Dreams, featuring artwork by local schoolchildren inspired by the American Dream; Les Lalanne, an outdoor display of sculptures by renowned French artists Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne; and The Vertical City, showcasing concepts focused on sustainability in urban design by Norman Foster and Foster + Partners.
“It’s thrilling to witness the Transamerica Pyramid Center once more becoming a gathering place in downtown, where people can come together to enjoy cultural experiences or simply spend time in this remarkable city,” stated Shvo.