Bessemer’s 2025 fellowship class on how Gen Z will lead differently with AI

After six years, the Bessemer Fellowship Program continues to broaden the horizon of tomorrow’s builders and leaders in technology by connecting ambitious undergraduates with internships across Bessemer’s portfolio. For the class of 2025, we matched a distinguished group of 13 fellows from universities nationwide with fast-growing companies, such as Perplexity, Recurrency, and Mural Health.

This year’s cohort participated in professional development workshops with leaders like Rula’s SVP of Engineering, Jessica Popp, Bessemer Operating Partner, Jeff Epstein, and ResQ Head of Product, Payal Sobit. 

Perspectives on an AI-driven future

The 2025 Bessemer Fellows are entering the tech industry at a pivotal moment, as AI reshapes not only how we build and scale companies, but also what it means to lead. We asked this year’s fellows how Gen Z will lead differently in an AI-powered future. Their answers reveal a generation that views AI as a creative collaborator and a tool for expanding access, not as a replacement for human insight. Gen Z leaders, they suggest, will distinguish themselves through authenticity, bold vision, and a focus on ethics and inclusivity.

How will Gen-Z lead differently in the AI-driven future?

Armin Hamrah

B.S. Neuroscience, Economics, and Computer Science 

“Hot take: GTM creativity will become more valuable than engineering chops for creating disruptive businesses. The cost of shipping software will continue to decrease, and founders with strong product taste and the ability to garner market excitement will be winners. Young folks (e.g., Gen Z) will guide this transformation, which has already started (e.g., Cluely with troll social media posts and Delve sending customized doormats to prospective customers).” — Armin Hamrah

Claire de Saint Phalle

B.S. Artificial Intelligence, Applied Mathematics and Philosophy

“Gen Z will lead differently in the AI-driven future because we’ve grown up in a world where change is constant and rapid, and technology is second nature. We view technology not just as a tool, but as a natural extension of how we work and think. For us, productivity is about working smarter, accelerating routine tasks, and focusing our energy on creative, meaningful work. We’ve grown up multitasking across platforms, learning to be efficient and resourceful. Gen Z is not afraid of AI replacing us; instead, we’re focused on how it can enhance what we do.

Whether it’s using AI to streamline workflows, analyze data in real time, or optimize decision making, we see these tools as partners in progress. We know that AI is powerful, but we are also mindful of how it reflects human choices, so we’ll push for transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in how it’s designed and deployed. Gen Z is known for being socially conscious, and leaders will prioritize ethics as much as innovation. We question the systems we inherit, and we’re not afraid to reimagine them. Gen Z brings a mindset shaped by both urgency and possibility. Because we came of age alongside AI, we don’t need to adapt to it; we intuitively understand how to lead with it.” — Claire de Saint Phalle

Emily Han

B.S. Computer Science and Finance

"In the AI-driven future, I believe Gen Z will lead with creativity, speed, and a builder’s mindset. As AI takes over repetitive and operational tasks, we’ll be able to focus more on what actually requires human creativity, from product design to storytelling to growth strategies across marketing and sales. These aren’t just support functions anymore, but they’re core parts of how we shape a brand, a movement, or a company.

What’s exciting is that AI lowers the barrier to entry. You don’t need a huge team or budget to start something meaningful. Because of that, I think we’ll see a surge of Gen Z founders, side projects, and startups, not just in tech hubs, but everywhere. Leadership will become less about climbing ladders and more about setting vision, moving quickly, and constantly learning. We’ll lead by asking better questions, staying close to the people we’re building for, and using AI not as a replacement, but as a creative partner." — Emily Han

Kristine Pashin 

B.S. Symbolic Systems, B.A. Public Policy and Art History

"As someone working at the intersection of AI, biotech, and policy, I believe my generation will lead differently by naturally integrating AI as a collaborative tool rather than viewing it as a replacement threat. We're building AI-driven solutions that enhance human capabilities while maintaining the human elements of empathy and ethical decision-making that define good leadership. Unlike previous generations who might approach AI adoption cautiously, we're comfortable iterating quickly with these technologies while simultaneously developing the governance frameworks to use them responsibly.

We think in systems and networks, understanding that AI's true power comes from connecting previously siloed domains, whether that's bridging scientific research with patent law or linking healthcare innovation with policy reform. Most importantly, I believe that we're approaching AI leadership with both optimism about its potential and accountability for its impact, ensuring that as we scale these technologies, we're also scaling facets of access, transparency, and social benefit alongside them." — Kristine Pashin 

Marcus Chua 

Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, Data Science

"In a world where 0 to 1 is cheaper and faster than ever, differentiators become signal, taste, and sales.

Signal: Anyone can cheat their way into big tech. Anyone with a Lovable or Cursor subscription can be a founder. With ever-increasing levels of noise, emitting and attracting positive signals is key to hiring A+ operators, hunting and capturing whales, and being the first to the table for the best opportunities. These can be as explicit as pedigree/spike/projects, or as implicit as reputation/network/taste.

Taste: The leaders of tomorrow will have strong, often contrarian beliefs at both macro and micro levels. As the world evolves at a record pace, leaders must have enough conviction (or delusion) in their value structure to maintain course amidst changing currents.

Sales: In 2019, Naval famously said, “Learn to sell, learn to build, if you can do both, you will be unstoppable.” In 2025, the barrier to building is lower than ever. Leaders that can rally investors, operators, and customers behind a cause, find and execute on positive-sum opportunities, and weaponize game theory will win." — Marcus Chua

Tosh Talukder 

B.S. Computer Science and Philosophy

"During the .com boom, people rushed to move old ideas online. As for Gen Z? They’re building entirely new worlds with AI at the core. They won’t just adopt AI, they’ll dream up what only AI makes possible. As founders, they’ll launch bold ideas we cannot yet imagine. As teammates, they’ll inspire older generations, turning hesitation into excitement. Gen Z won’t follow the future; they’ll invent it. And it’s going to be extraordinary." — Tosh Talukder

Omer Hortig 

B.A. Economics and Computer Science

"The AI-driven future belongs to lifelong learners – those who are endlessly curious, quick to adapt, and unafraid to leverage new tools fully. Gen Z, raised during the rapid transformations of the Information Age, has already embraced continuous, self-directed learning. We naturally turn to online platforms like YouTube for interview tips, Khan Academy for standardized test prep, Wolfram Alpha for math solutions, Duolingo for language learning, and social media for global trends and emerging technologies.

As AI dramatically accelerates the pace of knowledge acquisition and further intensifies job market competition by automating away existing roles, the gap between those who embrace AI-enhanced continuous learning and those who do not will be stark. Gen Z's established habit of independent learning positions us to uniquely leverage AI in the same, powerful way.

In leadership roles, Gen Z leaders will leverage AI-enhanced lifelong learning to build organizations characterized by relentless speed, rapid experimentation, and resilience in the face of setbacks. These leaders will expect those around them to do the same or risk becoming obsolete. Gen Z companies will grow farther and faster than any that came before them. Already, Cursor, with Gen Z founders, has become the fastest-growing company ever — expect even their record to be broken (soon)." — Omer Hortig

Polly Arnan

B.S. Economics and Computer Science

"For all the ways AI is changing how we work, I think it’s just as important to focus on what constants will endure. In many ways, AI will reaffirm core skills we were taught in grade school: learning authentically and thinking critically. This becomes clear when we consider what's necessary to effectively leverage AI to solve problems. First, we need a deep understanding of the users and the problem itself; then, we need sound judgment to make excellent decisions and inspire trust in our leadership. These skills have always been essential for meaningful lives and careers — long before the AI boom, and just as much after. — Polly Arnan

Ronald Leung 

B.S. Computer Science

"I expect to see two new types of Gen Z leaders come to the forefront: those who excel at distribution — like building community and driving virality — and those who master agent orchestration, reaching new levels of operational efficiency by transforming traditional businesses through something like an AI-powered rollup. As AI tools make everyone a potential 10x builder, the playing field is more level than ever. I believe the real edge will belong to leaders who can either move people or move systems - those who know how to capture attention and those who know how to coordinate armies of AI. Gen Z’s comfort with experimentation and authenticity will set the tone for both."— Ronald Leung

Soham Patil

B.S. Computer Science

"Every Gen Z person will be a leader. With AI on the rise, the power to build is shifting from the boardroom to the bedroom, as solo builders and small teams now shape what once took entire institutions. Professions like law, medicine, and engineering, built on information asymmetry, are being torn open. AI will do to those fields what the printing press did to writing. The gatekeepers will be gone — everyone will be able to build like a coder, speak like a diplomat, and negotiate like a lawyer. People who control distribution will have more influence than managers with a big headcount. Those who ask the right questions will be the ones who lead." — Soham Patil

Tristan Shin

B.A. Computer Science and Political Science

"It’s tough to predict exactly how Gen Z will lead in an AI-driven world, as so much depends on how the technology unfolds. If we reach artificial general intelligence (AGI) in the next decade, society could undergo a massive transformation. In a world where AI handles most forms of labor, we’d have the opportunity to reimagine what truly matters: living more creatively, building deeper connections, and spending our time with greater intention. I believe Gen Z is uniquely positioned to lead that shift. Our generation is grounded in values like equity, sustainability, and mental well-being, and we’re not afraid to challenge outdated systems to build a more human-centered future.

However, if AI continues to evolve more gradually, through increasingly powerful large language models rather than a sudden leap to AGI, the trajectory will look different. In that case, Gen Z will likely lead by tackling industry-specific problems that were once inaccessible to us, and doing so with unprecedented speed. We’re already seeing a new wave of young founders and creators bypassing traditional gatekeepers, which has understandably raised some eyebrows. As Garry Tan put it, we're in the age of “aura farming,” where influence is built through distribution and personal branding, sometimes outpacing depth or domain expertise. It’s a trend filled with both promise and risk.

Whether the future arrives in leaps or steps, I’m optimistic about the role Gen Z will play. We’re not waiting to be handed the reins. Sure, we’ll make mistakes along the way, but we’re already out there, building, questioning, and shaping what’s next." — Tristan Shin

Sheila Wang

B.S. Arts, Technology, and Business of Innovations

"A few days ago, I took a cab to Evanston and ended up 40 minutes off course because the driver misunderstood my destination while I was distracted and unfamiliar with the city. This experience reflects a larger truth about the AI-driven future that Gen Z will lead: although AI increasingly takes the wheel, both literally and figuratively, our role remains critical.

Leadership will mean staying clear, engaged, and intentional, using our uniquely human strengths — ambitious yet humble thinking, out-of-the-box creativity, and empathetic guidance — to shape the journey. AI can accelerate and execute, but it cannot imagine or choose the destination for us. Gen Z will lead differently by embracing this partnership, pushing creative boundaries, questioning assumptions, and ensuring that while AI navigates, we ultimately decide where to go." — Sheila Wang

Wanru Skuld Shao

B.S. Computer Science and Business Administration

"I believe our generation will lead with a human-centered philosophy toward AI development, prioritizing people at the forefront of the design process rather than treating them as an afterthought. Growing up witnessing both the transformative power and pitfalls of technology has made us inherently skeptical of solutions that overlook actual human needs. We then become passionate about championing inclusive design that centers diverse voices and creates AI services accessible to all communities. 

What excites me most about this moment is the opportunity to redefine innovation itself, moving beyond building sophisticated algorithms to crafting systems that enhance human agency and foster genuine collaboration. My vision for AI leadership draws from watching platforms rise and fall based on whether they truly served people — we will build AI that doesn't just optimize for efficiency, but optimizes for human potential." — Wanru Skuld Shao

How to apply for the 2026 Bessemer Fellowship 

Alumni often cite these experiences as pivotal in forming their confidence to launch startups of their own and step into leadership roles early in their careers. Many continue to be active in the Bessemer Fellows community, joining a cohort of future founders, operators, and technologists. As we conclude another successful year, the 2025 cohort’s experience once again underscores Bessemer’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders in technology and innovation. Learn more about how to apply to the 2026 cohort.