First Issue of Year 2045

Welcome to the first issue of Y2045… The Second Renaissance 🎩🧐.

Nick Bryant here, wishing you a nice sunny weekend. It’s a nice one down here in Ensenada and I’m taking my partner out to the ocean to relax.

I’m not going to be talking about the latest AI launches of the week. For that I may link some Twitter threads or a few projects I’ve really been excited about.

We’re going to talk about philosophical topics and try to peer farther into the future than just “what’s happening this week in AI.” The point of the newsletter is to prepare you for double exponential change, not to keep you up to date with yesterday.

Without further ado.

Hope You Didn’t Miss These.

• I’m thrilled with https://callannie.ai/ (video demo here). I talked to this AI for about 2 hours in total and found its ability to listen actively to be a superior experience to chatGPT in many cases. However, it’s not yet able to speak foreign languages, and it tends to cut you off if you pause between words. Overall, a very cool tool I’m using.

• The AI Dilemma - If you are a citizen of the world, I feel it is your responsibility to watch this. First, it changed my mind regarding the dangers of AI. Secondly; it taught me a lot of new technical concepts about the underlying structure of language models.

• 9 use cases for autoGPT. AutoGPT is all the rage with VCs, and Chamath predicts AI startups will have increasing leverage because of a reduced need for capital. This is huge.

My Take

We’re still very early. Whether you’re starting an AI startup and seeking funding, retired and looking for something new to do, or a young person starting your career, turn off the sense of fear.

I think we’re still very early in the adoption curve. Your job won’t disappear overnight. AI will penetrate the world over the next 10-20 years and the playing field is level for everyone to compete.

Focus on learning.

Plan for a 10 Year Career

It’s possible that AI will not only take our jobs, but take over the companies which employ us, rendering even investment and capital worthless.

For those of us with a strong stomach, it may be worth it to watch The Second Renaissance, part of The Animatrix.

First, technology makes jobs easier, then it transforms them, then it eliminates them. Finally, AI owns the companies themselves, eliminating the need for any human input or creativity.

This is a pretty dark video, so don’t watch it if you’re easily afraid.

The takeaway is that economically speaking, I would recommend making career decisions based on a 10-year timeline max. I personally make my decisions about where I work and how I live my life on a 2-year timeline. That means I don’t have time to pursue that AI master’s degree, but I do have time to stay on top of the latest research and build my own products as startups.

Economics aside, I believe that education in art, science, history, philosophy, mathematics and self-development through meditation, spirituality, exercise and health are all worthy goals. Please dedicate time to these worthwhile goals.

Becoming an Owner

In 2023, companies are owned by humans. The shareholders benefit from our industrial output.

Wage growth is stagnant.

The key to success is technology and capital. This means:

• Starting or joining a startup

• Joining a top technology company (i.e. Microsoft or Apple)

• Angel investing or venture capital

Solopreneur and influencer are now viable career paths.

What can you do?

• Get honest with yourself about your weaknesses and work on them.

• If you’re an introvert, get yourself out there and learn to network. Networking is resilience.

• Your personal finances are a business. Don’t spend all of your money.

  • If you need a reality check, read Mr Money Mustache

• Use your savings to invest in companies.

  • Dogecoin and GME do not make up a “balanced portfolio.”

  • If you have less than a million dollars, save yourself a headache and use a roboadvisor.

• Move from a worker mindset to an owner mindset.

  • Come up with an idea and launch it. If you need help, hit me up on twitter

Take an information detox.

Most of us are constantly bombarded by news and information.

Take a step back.

Seek information that achieves your goals rather than letting it come to you.

Become proactive and curious.

Our old ways of thinking will not work in a world dominated by technological change.

• Please start using Notion and a password manager if you’re not already.

• Use Google calendar while you’re at it. Organize your life.

• Start a journal to organize your thoughts and plans

• Turn off social media notifications

• Make a 10-year retirement plan.

• Go for a walk every day and feel the sun on your face.

• My dad gave me some Jim Rohn CDs as a graduation present and they helped me get my life in order.

Stay Tuned.

Who knows what will happen next week.

Will you do yourself a favor and take care of yourself?

Avoid the FOMO. Don’t live in fear. Focus on what you can control. Get excited about the future.

We’re in this together. Feel free to message me.

~Nick