The next generation of tech founders in Israel may come from peripheral villages far from urban hubs. At a recent tech conference in Tel Aviv, schoolchildren from the northern Arab-Israeli village of Daburiyya presented a fully functional AI-integrated school entry system. Israel's high tech ecosystem continues to grow despite war, political turmoil, and credit downgrades. The success of Israeli high tech is attributed to freedom of speech, expression, and thought, as well as a culture of resilience. The defense tech sector is thriving, with over 200 new startups expected by the end of 2025.