Category: SYNG

Read Andreessen’s article first.

As a curious designer, I read the article published on Andreessen Horowitz’s blog, “Why AI Will Save the World.” The piece is a compelling read, filled with optimism and a vision of a future where AI is the panacea for all our problems.

However, as someone who has spent years studying the intersection of design, technology, philosophy, psychology and humans in general, it’s essential to examine these claims and critically provide a more nuanced perspective.

Here we go. Strap in, baby!

Andreessen begins by defining AI as a tool that can be used to improve various aspects of our lives, from coding to medicine to the creative arts. It’s a definition I agree with. AI is indeed a tool, and like any tool, its impact depends on how it’s used. However, the article then leaps to the conclusion that AI will save the world, a claim that is as bold as it is unproven.

Slow down there, buddy.

Andreessen paints the human condition of irrationality as inappropriately lacking depth. Humans, unlike AI, are not purely rational beings. We are influenced by a wide range of factors, including emotions, biases, social pressures, and cognitive limitations, all of which can lead us to make decisions that are not strictly rational.

This irrationality is not necessarily a bad thing. It’s part of what makes us human. Our emotions, for example, can lead us to make decisions that enhance our well-being and happiness, even if they don’t maximize some objective measure of utility. While our biases can lead us astray, they can also serve as valuable heuristics, helping us make decisions quickly and efficiently in complex and uncertain situations.

However, our irrationality can also lead to problems. It can cause us to make poor decisions, to act against our own best interests, and to harm others. It can also make it difficult for us to understand and predict the behaviour of AI systems, which are designed to be rational and to optimize for specific goals.

AI, for all its potential benefits, cannot replicate the full range of human irrationality or emotions. It can simulate certain aspects of human behaviour, such as learning from experience and adapting to new situations, but it can’t truly experience emotions or biases. It can’t understand the full complexity of the human condition.

Okay, I’ll play along. In the next decade, maybe.

Andreessen argues that AI will augment human intelligence and improve outcomes in a wide range of fields. While it’s true that AI has the potential to enhance human capabilities, it’s also important to remember that AI is not a magic bullet. It’s a tool that can be used for good or ill, depending on the intentions of those who wield it.

Gun control, anyone?

The article paints a picture of a future where every child has an AI tutor, every person has an AI assistant, and every leader has an AI advisor. This vision is certainly appealing, but it overlooks several important considerations.

First, the assumption that AI will always act in the best interests of humans is flawed. AI systems are designed to optimize for specific goals, and humans set these goals. If the goals are misaligned with human values, the AI system can cause harm.

This is not a theoretical concern. We’ve already seen examples of AI systems causing harm because they optimize for the wrong goals, such as social media algorithms promoting divisive content to increase engagement.

Second, the article assumes that AI will be equally accessible to everyone. However, access to technology is often determined by socioeconomic factors. If AI tools are only available to the wealthy, they could exacerbate existing inequalities rather than alleviate them.

As of 2023, approximately 66.2% of the world’s population, or around 5.25 billion people, have access to and use the Internet. Therefore, it can be inferred that around 33.8% of the world’s population, or approximately 2.65 billion people, do not have access to the Internet​.

Third, the article dismisses concerns about AI as “moral panic.” While it’s true that new technologies often provoke fear and uncertainty, it’s also true that these technologies can have unintended consequences. The history of technology is littered with examples of innovations that were initially hailed as saviours but later revealed to have serious drawbacks. Consider the case of nuclear energy, which promised unlimited power but also brought the threat of atomic weapons and radioactive waste.

I can’t wait to watch Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.

The article argues that AI will not “decide to murder the human race or otherwise ruin everything.” While I agree that fears of killer robots are largely unfounded, it’s important to recognize that AI systems can cause harm even if they don’t have malicious intentions. For example, an AI system that controls a power grid could cause a blackout if it makes a mistake, even if it doesn’t “want” to harm humans.

It could also very easily be a human error, I know.

Finally, the article claims that AI will make the world “warmer and nicer.” This is a bold claim and one that I believe is overly optimistic. AI systems can help us solve problems and improve our lives but they can’t replace human empathy, compassion, and understanding. AI can simulate these qualities, but it can’t truly experience them.

Now, the final straw that broke the camel’s back for me. Consider the source of these claims. The article was published by Andreessen Horowitz, a venture capital firm that has invested heavily in AI companies. As The Verge reported, Andreessen Horowitz has a history of hyping its investments and selling them after their valuations have ballooned.

This strategy can be profitable for the firm, even if the companies themselves don’t survive long term. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to question the firm’s optimistic view of AI, which is influenced by its financial interests.

It’s in the firm’s interest to promote a positive view of AI, as this could increase the valuations of its AI investments and attract more investors to its funds. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the firm’s claims about AI are false, but it suggests they should be taken with a grain of salt.

Add pepper, too.

While I share Andreessen’s enthusiasm for the potential of AI, I believe it’s essential to approach this technology with a healthy dose of skepticism. AI is a powerful tool, but it’s not a panacea. It’s not going to save the world, but it’s not going to destroy it, either. Like any tool, AI’s impact will depend on how we use it.

We need to ensure that we use AI in ways that align with our values, that we make it accessible to everyone, and that we remain vigilant about its potential risks. We should also remember that while AI can augment our capabilities, it can’t replace our humanity.

AI is not a saviour or a destroyer. It’s a tool, and like any tool, it’s up to us to use it wisely.

If your meetings are akin to watching paint dry and customer objections make you want to assume the fetal position, then buckle up, compadre; you’re thirsting for 

“Yes, And…”.

“Yes” is the hearty handshake to someone’s idea; “And” is crafting a Lego palace together. The “Yes” acknowledges – it’s the embrace of your partner’s line of thinking. The “And”? That’s the glitter – your embellishment of the narrative in progress.

But wait! Are you, perhaps unwittingly, summoning the notorious party pooper, “Yes, but…”? You know, the classic buzzkill. It starts all nice and agreeable with “Yes,” but then “but” steamrolls through like a runaway shopping cart.

“Ah! Here’s why your idea stinks!” it hollers. Brakes screech, creative thinking skids to a halt, and defences rise like a medieval fortress. The aftermath? Ideas are like shy critters; they go into hiding. Alternatively, “Yes, and…” lays out the welcome mat for a creative fiesta where ideas mingle and dance.

Deep down, “Yes, and…” is about validation. The “Yes” whispers, “You’re heard and valued.” The “And” choruses, “Let’s whip up something extraordinary together!”

So, when your customer goes, “Your product costs my firstborn!” Rather than duelling it out, serenade them with “Yes, it’s a premium choice, and that’s because it’s brimming with value. Shall we explore how this investment multiplies in worth?” Apple Vision Pro, anyone? 

And, when your colleague’s idea is seemingly from cloud cuckoo land? No dismissal. Sprinkle “Yes, and…” magic: “Yes, super creative, and let’s mould it to fit our treasure map.” Gold, baby!

Stephen Colbert nails it: “With ‘Yes, and…’ you respect what your partner has initiated, and you’re building on it.”

How does one cultivate the “Yes, and…” mindset?

Tune In: Be in the moment. When someone speaks, they’re the soloist; you’re the rapt audience.

Harmonize with “Yes, and…”: Weave it into your dialogues. It’s not just a phrase; it’s a mindset.

Riff with the “And”: Improvise. Revel in adding layers to ideas.

Take a Bow, then Reflect: After the curtain falls, jot down mental notes. Was there applause? How might you tweak your next performance?

Armed with this technique, imagine a future where conversations are portals to lands of endless possibilities, where ideas bloom like fields of wildflowers, and collaboration is the air we breathe. Sounds dreamy? “Yes, and…” is your time machine. Strap in, set the dials, and warp through to that reality. Your future self will thank you.

Imagine this: a radiant Sunday afternoon, with the glimmering waters of Lake Ontario stretching out below. I’m perched on an 18th-floor balcony, surrounded by friends, laughter and the tantalizing aroma of a freshly baked Margherita pizza. Amid this enticing backdrop, I casually toss a nugget of wisdom into the mix.

“An abundant mindset,” I offered, with a dramatic wave of a pizza slice for emphasis, “is the secret sauce of healthy risk-taking. And scarcity? Well, that’s just a spoiled topping.”

The delicious irony of serving up profound insights one pizza slice at a time isn’t lost on me.

One major misconception about an abundant mindset is that it’s a light switch — flip it on when needed and off when not. That’s a hard no. It’s more akin to a muscle, demanding regular flexing to stay in shape. It’s a lifestyle, not just another flash-in-the-pan fad. And what’s a more engaging way to strengthen this mindset than through relaxed banter, hearty laughter, and a shared love of pizza?

A scarcity mindset, on the other hand, is the stubborn antagonist refusing to step out of its comfort zone, not unlike the villains we encounter in business and life. This mindset is obsessed with hoarding, propelled by fear, and forever stuck in the quagmire of a zero-sum game.

Been there, done that.

I recall a thought-provoking Harvard Business Review article, “The Scarcity Trap: Why We Keep Digging When We’re Stuck in a Hole,” it was clear that a scarcity mindset could indeed blur our decision-making lens, akin to attempting a Stephen King novel in a dimly lit room.

So, how do we spice up this gloomy narrative with the zesty flavour of abundance? How do we encourage an appetite for risk-taking?

1. Read, Absorb, Transform: Charlie “Tremendous” Jones famously said, “You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” I recommended enriching titles like “Mindset” by Carol S. Dweck and “Abundance” by Peter Diamandis, potent sources of wisdom as engaging as any blockbuster.

2. Wear Gratitude Like a Crown: A cherished practice from our Indian roots, expressing gratitude is a priceless tradition, just like receiving ‘Shagun’ (auspicious gift) from elders. It doesn’t just uplift your spirits but can also boost your overall health.

3. Surround Yourself with Abundance Advocates: As the saying goes, “Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are.” Seek out friends who perceive the world as a field of limitless opportunities.

4. Recite the Abundance Mantra: Repeat positive affirmations as meticulously as a priest chanting a sacred mantra. Start simple: “I am capable. I am abundant. I am a risk-taker.”

5. Reimagine the Risk Narrative: Think of risks like the twists and turns in a gripping movie. They’re thrilling, adventurous, and exhilarating. Changing the perspective changes the narrative.

6. Start Small, But Start Now: Take small risks, just as small steps lead to significant changes. Each step forward, no matter how modest, is a victory.

In essence, cultivating an abundant mindset is not an overnight phenomenon. It’s an art, a journey, a way of life. It requires patience, resilience, and courage; the payoff is worth the effort.

As the sun made way for the dusky evening, our conversation began to wind down. The tranquil lake, our silent confidante, seemed to echo our enlightened reflections.

The revered Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore once wrote, “You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.” So, here’s to diving into the sea of opportunities, embracing an abundant mindset, and navigating the exhilarating waves of risk. Because life, just like a delicious pizza, is best enjoyed when shared and savoured.

Speaking of which, who’s up for the next round of pizza?