Possible: Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings: stories, schools, superpowers

In this episode of Masters of Scale, host Reid Hoffman sits down with Reed Hastings, co-founder and former CEO of Netflix, to explore the transformative power of AI across entertainment, education, and society. Hastings reflects on his 25-year tenure at Netflix, the transition to streaming, and his post-CEO life of skiing and reflection—where he discovered he didn’t miss leadership as much as he expected. He shares insights from serving on boards at Microsoft, Meta, Bloomberg, and Anthropic, emphasizing the value of long-term thinking and cross-industry learning. On AI, Hastings argues that while automation will reshape many professions, emotionally resonant domains like entertainment and human connection will remain irreplaceable. He warns against overemphasizing doomsday scenarios while advocating for proactive safety measures. In education, he champions a shift from STEM overemphasis to emotional intelligence and AI-enabled personalized learning, citing Alpha School as a model. He envisions a future of global abundance driven by AI, provided societies embrace cooperation over competition and ensure equitable access. The conversation closes with a call to prioritize joy, interconnectedness, and shared prosperity as the foundation for a thriving future.