Aesthetic Futures (035)
Exploring many kinds of human-machine augmentation.
Happy Monday and halfway point of January. The year has barely begun and it feels to me we are already all full speed. The new year always feels like an opportunity to pare down responsibilities and reconsider priorities, yet it feels that the moment the transition is behind us, bad habits and overcommitment quickly come back in full swing.
The year will certainly be defined by another wave of AI advancements. 2023 had us talking about nothing else quite as much as AI, and we have every indication for the year ahead to be much the same. GPT 5 might be around the corner and every other nation state and corporation seems focused on progressing their AI agendas. Good thing you’re already reading the right newsletter to stay ahead!
On a personal note, I’ll be moving to Amsterdam next month to advance our AI agenda. We’ll have more to announce soon, but I’m excited about moving back somewhere that so feels like home and to be working with friends and bright minds on bringing AI to their organizations and cities.
Until next week,
MZ
Bill Gates interviews Sam Altman
Highly recommended and brief interview of Sam Altman and his take on our near future. Don’t miss it.
Sam speaks of AI's future, vast and bright,
Its risks and gains in sharp, unfolding light.
How has AI changed your life?
Amazing thread in response to Greg Brockman on Twitter.
In digital realms where thoughts entwine,
ChatGPT guides, in code and line.
A friend to scribe, a mind to teach,
In learning's grasp, new heights we reach.
A beacon in the quest for knowing,
With AI light, our minds keep glowing.
Stop trying to make sci-fi real
Sci-fi author Charles Stross argues in Scientific American that tech billionaires need to stop trying to make the science fiction they grew up on real. Great read, considering the inevitability of some form of corporate-owned AGI.
Billionaires chase, in SF dreams,
Earth's future twists, in extreme schemes.
Ideals misplaced, caution tales ignored.
Don’t forget to tip your AIs
Don’t miss: 2024 Trend Reports + ChatGPT
I’m presenting a very hands-on AI experiment this Thursday on Linkedin. Every year a couple of friends organize and share a Google Drive with all public end-of-year trend reports. Me and a few other speakers thought of looking at these using AI, and will be sharing our insights and learnings.
You can try the CustomGPT here: Meta Trends 2024.
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Artificial Insights is written by Michell Zappa, CEO and founder of Envisioning, a technology research institute.
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Thanks for recommending that Scientific American article by Charles Stross. Loved it. And, as an Amsterdammer, I happily welcome you to our city!