Janet Ho, the Chief Operating Officer of Hume AI, recently sat down with Forbes to discuss America’s fight to stay ahead in the global AI race. Ho, a Harvard graduate with a background in government and computer science, didn’t start her career in tech but now leads a company pushing the boundaries of “empathic AI.” She argues that America’s strength lies in its freedom to innovate without heavy-handed government rules slowing things down.
Hume AI’s technology focuses on making artificial intelligence understand human emotions through voice interfaces. Ho believes this approach could revolutionize how we interact with machines, from customer service to healthcare. She credits America’s culture of risk-taking and entrepreneurship for breakthroughs like this, warning that overregulation could let countries like China take the lead.
Ho’s own career path reflects the grit conservatives admire. She worked her way up through product management roles at companies like Zynga and Rakuten before co-founding Hume AI. She says hiring the right team—people who communicate clearly and share a vision—is more important than chasing Ivy League pedigrees. “Skills matter, but character matters more,” she notes, echoing timeless values of hard work and teamwork.
When asked about AI ethics, Ho stresses the need for guardrails but rejects radical restrictions. She warns that stifling American innovation with red tape would hand the future to authoritarian regimes. Instead, she advocates for private-sector solutions that balance progress with protections for privacy and jobs. “AI should empower families, not undermine them,” she says.
Ho also highlights the importance of voice-based AI in preserving human connection. While critics fear technology isolating people, she envisions tools that help parents understand children’s needs or improve workplace communication. This focus on strengthening relationships aligns with conservative priorities around family and community.
The interview touches on education, with Ho urging schools to teach AI basics while maintaining traditional skills like critical thinking. She dismisses fears of robots replacing teachers, arguing that technology should assist—not replace—human mentors. “No algorithm can replicate a caring adult’s guidance,” she insists.
On China’s AI ambitions, Ho doesn’t mince words. She calls America’s open society and respect for intellectual property “unbeatable advantages” but says complacency is dangerous. Her message to policymakers: cut bureaucracy, support startups, and trust American ingenuity to outpace rivals.
Ho’s final advice blends old-school wisdom with tech optimism. She tells young entrepreneurs to “solve real problems, not chase trends” and praises faith communities for grounding her work. For Ho, winning the AI race isn’t just about chips and code—it’s about defending the values that made America a leader in the first place.
