San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is on a mission to bring his city back to its former glory, and he believes the tech industry holds the key. Speaking at TechCrunch's StrictlyVC event, Lurie emphasized his commitment to addressing the city's rampant drug and homelessness crisis, which has driven many business leaders away. He has spent his first 100 days in office walking the city's most troubled neighborhoods, and this week, he rolled back a program that provided free pipes, foil, and straws for drug use.

Lurie's "common sense policies" have gained support from tech leaders, who appreciate his efforts to create a more business-friendly environment. Ryan Peterson, CEO of Flexport, publicly thanked the mayor for "cleaning up the city a bit" during the event. The mayor's initiatives aim to make it easier for startups to operate in San Francisco, including the recently unveiled Permit SF, which reduces red tape for businesses. A new zoning proposal would also allow taller buildings and more housing in traditionally single-family home neighborhoods.

The mayor is keen to attract and retain entrepreneurs, stating, "We want our entrepreneurs starting businesses and then staying here. That means streamlining permitting, making it easier to start a restaurant, a bar, or a startup." Lurie believes that by working together, the city can regain its former status as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. He emphasized the need for practical solutions, saying, "What we need more of is people coming together and being practical. We sort of lost that here in San Francisco."

One area where Lurie sees significant potential is in building an AI hub in San Francisco. He has worked with leading AI companies, such as Databricks and OpenAI, to encourage them to invest in the city. The mayor has offered tax breaks to companies willing to set up shop in San Francisco, and he has convinced Databricks to hold its AI conference in the city through 2030. In return, he wants these companies to invest in the city's arts and culture scenes, citing OpenAI's quiet efforts in this area.

The city has also established the Partnership for San Francisco, a consortium of business leaders, including Laurene Powell Jobs, Jony Ive, and Sam Altman, to provide a clear channel for businesses to communicate with city hall. This partnership aims to foster collaboration and drive innovation in the city.

However, not everyone is convinced that the tech industry's growing presence in San Francisco is a positive development. Some residents are concerned that the influx of tech companies is pushing out other communities. The recent controversy over Waymo's permit to map out the SFO airport, which was eventually granted with strict conditions, highlights the tensions between the tech industry and labor unions.

Lurie addressed these concerns, saying that he worked with labor unions to reach a deal with Waymo, and emphasized that the company is "not going anywhere." The mayor is a strong proponent of autonomous vehicles, believing they are "where the future is going." He has spoken with other companies about increasing their presence in the city and is open to building infrastructure to accommodate more autonomous vehicles.

As the AI boom continues to gain momentum, Lurie is confident that San Francisco can regain its status as a hub for innovation. He envisions a future where businesses will clamor to be in San Francisco, saying, "When we're done, everyone's going to be like, 'I got to be in San Francisco. Otherwise, I'm missing out.' That's where we're going."