AI Will Knock You Down, Take Your Lunch Money, and Never Look Back—Or Be Your Best Buddy

Make a friend with AI. You'll have a partner for life. But you'll still need your 'happy hour' tribe.

Oct 03, 2024

Don’t fight with AI. Make it work for you. Image by Jeff x DALLE.3

First, there was us—humans squiggling around in the bushes.

Then came fire. It kept us warm, protected us, and let us cook our steaks well-done. It gave us a place to gather and talk and share ideas. But it didn't help us with work. All labor was human-powered. Plenty of jobs to go around.

We were the original energy source.

Then we domesticated animals. They kept us warm and protected and looked at us with big doughy eyes but they also did our work. They carried us, pulled us, helped us lift and drag bigger objects.

Eventually, they helped us plow our fields and grow food.

Humans and animals working together became the dominant energy source. We advanced as a society, using animals to augment our efforts.

Then Came Coal. Oil. And Machines.

Straight outta the ground.

1500: Over 90% of all mechanical energy was produced by people and animals.
1850: 50% from animals, about 35% from people, the rest from windmills, water wheels, and steam.
1950: Machines and engines supplied 80% of all mechanical energy.¹

We moved fast.

Machines became the dominant force, producing more mechanical energy to support modern life. Sure, we had machines to help us add and subtract, but mostly, machines replaced labor. They produced greater amounts of work more efficiently.

Jobs were lost to automation, but value was created through the production of goods and efficiencies gained in work hours.

A New Machine Arrives

The history of work is humans outsourcing labor to a cheaper or more efficient source. First, it was animals. Then industrial machines. Most of this outsourcing replaced manual labor or low-skilled jobs. But with the widespread acceptance of a new machine, white-collar jobs began to be replaced.

The arrival of the computer set us on the path toward AI.

What Is Artificial Intelligence? When Are Machines Better—and Worse—Than Humans?

Listen, and understand. That Terminator is out there. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop... ever, until you are dead.
—Kyle Reese, Terminator

No worries. Nothing AI-driven is coming to get you—yet. Except maybe your Tesla.

But AI is here, and you've been using it for years.

In general terms, AI is the simulation of human intelligence, thought processes, and data analysis by machines using computer science and algorithms applied to datasets.

It's machines and programs that appear to think but are really just following instructions (algorithms) based on analyzing tons of data.

It makes complex tasks—like analyzing and collecting massive amounts of information—easier. No lunch breaks. No sick days. It just cranks through the data 24/7. It's great at pattern recognition (think facial ID), natural language processing (think chatbots), and scanning environments to implement tasks in response (think self-driving cars or Roombas).

What's That Leave Us Humans?

Well, more than you think. And maybe the most important stuff.

Common Sense: Computers won't adjust their findings to fit a situation. They'll continue to crunch the data and produce solutions based on that data. Bad or biased data in, bad results out. The computer won't adjust; humans need to step in.
Creative Work: While AI can take large datasets of writing, ads, or art and create new works based on given criteria, it can't make the intuitive leap that creates something entirely new. It won't have a "Eureka Moment." It won't get a spark of inspiration from an apple bouncing off its head like Newton did.
Learning from Experience: Humans have a great capacity to learn, adjust, and apply lessons learned in one area to other applicable areas. It's connecting the dots between disparate bits of information—like smashing together peanut butter and chocolate to create something better.
Decision Making: Humans can feel, judge, anticipate, and switch between long-term and short-term goals instantly. AI just processes its data. It can't make decisions that aren't reflected in the data it's given.

What Is Augmented Intelligence?

Augmented Intelligence (Ai) is a subset of AI focused on enhancing human intellectual abilities rather than replacing humans. While AI operates independently, analyzing data, Ai operates with humans, giving people the information they need, when they need it, to make the intuitive leaps that lead to "Eureka Moments."

Humans are the catalyst.

We can direct it.

This is your brain on steroids.

In 2005, Playchess created a chess tournament featuring teams of grandmasters using computer-assisted augmented intelligence. The expected result? The highest-rated grandmasters would win since the computer assistance was relatively equal.

Not what happened.

Instead, a group of two amateur chess players using three computers won. They weren't the most knowledgeable about chess, but they excelled at creating a working team between humans and computers. They knew how to prompt the computers to ‘learn’ quicker.

This is Augmented Intelligence. Humans + machines + a strong collaborative process equals success. The future of work will be built around teams, and your team will include an Ai system. Learning how to work with Ai will make you more efficient and productive. The insights gained from the computer will allow you and your team to use all your human qualities—emotions, empathy, experience, anticipation—to achieve better results.

Hopefully, Ai will help you find your "Eureka Moment."

We Don't Go Backwards

Data is changing how the world and business work. We're swamped minute by minute with more and more data. By 2025, the amount of data created, captured, and consumed is projected to be 180 zettabytes.

How Big Is a Zettabyte?

A zettabyte is 1,000 exabytes.
One exabyte is 1,000 petabytes.
Each petabyte is 1,000 terabytes.

A zettabyte is enough storage for 30 billion 4K movies or 60 billion video games. If you wanted 3 zettabytes of storage at home, you'd need to hook up 300 million 10TB hard drives.

We can't manage and learn from this data without AI. It's just too much. We need the help.

By 2030, predictions suggest that AI will contribute $15.7 trillion in value to the world economy. But it will also replace millions of jobs worldwide. Those who learn to incorporate Artificial Intelligence in the form of Augmented Intelligence into their workflow will prosper.

Teams that combine expert workers with machines and leaders comfortable with Augmented Intelligence will solve our most pressing problems.

You will either be run over by Artificial Intelligence as an individual, a team, or a company—or you will embrace Augmented Intelligence, manage your data—including data you may not even know about—and make intuitive leaps, solving problems in creative ways.

Buddy up. It's the only alternative.

Think About It…

In order to augment myself, I turned my writings and Notes from Substack into a chatbot. I can question myself. I can ask probing questions. I can get it to help me build businesses that may be applicable to my writings.

You can check it out here. Brain-Slap Chatbot.

It’s pretty cool. Here are some questions I asked:

Q: What is Brain-Slap about?

A: Brain-Slap is a reader-supported publication authored by Jeff Robbins, featuring his thoughts, reflections, and writings on various topics such as self-improvement, philosophy, wisdom, and personal growth. [1][3][5][6][7][9]

The publication offers:

Insights and Articles: Jeff shares his perspectives on subjects like chasing happiness, defining retirement, building a second brain, and more. [3][6][7][9]
Notes and Reflections: He provides personal notes on topics such as quotes, cover songs he enjoys, and advice he has given to his son. [2][4]
Book Recommendations: Brain-Slap includes curated reading lists of books that have influenced, surprised, educated, and entertained Jeff. He also offers a book recommendation engine and specific author chatbots. [1][3][5]

Jeff encourages readers to subscribe to Brain-Slap to receive new posts and support his work. [1][3][5][6][9]

The numbers are sources and if clicked on within the chatbot will take you to specific articles and/or Note.

Q: How can Brain-Slap help me as a reader?

A: How Brain-Slap Can Help You as a Reader?

Brain-Slap is a reader-supported publication by Jeff Robbins that offers several resources to enhance your reading experience:

1. Curated Reading Lists

Jeff shares great reading lists that include books which have influenced, surprised, educated, and entertained him. These lists grow monthly and only feature books he has personally read. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

2. Book Recommendation Engine and Author Chatbots

You can utilize the book recommendation engine and explore specific author chatbots to discover new books tailored to your interests, making your reading journey more personalized and engaging. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

3. Insightful Articles and Reflections

Brain-Slap provides insightful articles on various topics such as self-improvement, philosophy, and personal growth. Jeff's reflections can offer new perspectives and enrich your understanding. [2][5][6][7][8]

4. Reading Tips and Strategies

Jeff shares practical tips on how to read more, helping you to enhance your reading habits and get the most out of your reading time. [8]

5. Community Engagement

By subscribing to Brain-Slap, you become part of a reader-supported community, receiving new posts and supporting Jeff's work. This engagement can connect you with like-minded readers. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

Q: How can I improve Brain-Slap for my readers?

A: How to Improve Brain-Slap for Your Readers

Improving Brain-Slap can enhance your readers' experience and engagement. Based on the context, here are some suggestions:

1. Expand and Curate Reading Lists

Continue to grow your monthly reading lists with books that have influenced, surprised, educated, and entertained you. Ensure all recommended books are ones you've personally read. [1][2][3][4][5][7]

Action Item: Regularly update your book shop with new additions to keep content fresh and engaging. [1][2][3][4][5][7]

2. Enhance Interactive Tools

Develop and promote interactive features like the book recommendation engine and author chatbots. These tools provide personalized recommendations and allow readers to engage with content in a fun way. [2][3][5][6][8]

Action Item: Create more chatbots or "chat bundles" to cover a wider range of authors and topics, enhancing the exploration experience for your readers. [5][6][8]

3. Share Summaries and Insights

Offer summaries of reports, books, and studies to save your readers time and provide quick insights. This helps them grasp key concepts without having to read lengthy materials. [6][8]

Action Item: Use tools to summarize content and share these summaries as notes within Brain-Slap. [6][8]

4. Connect Modern Insights with Ancient Wisdom

Blend contemporary topics with historical perspectives to provide depth and context. Connecting modern studies with writings from the Stoics or other historical figures can enrich your content. [6][8]

Action Item: Incorporate excerpts and discussions from historical texts and relate them to current issues or personal reflections. [6][8]

5. Encourage Reader Interaction

Invite readers to leave comments and share their thoughts on your posts. This fosters a sense of community and encourages engagement. [3][4][7]

Action Item: Prompt readers at the end of posts to provide feedback or share their experiences. [3][4][7]

6. Provide Practical Tips and Recommendations

Share actionable advice, such as how to read more efficiently or overcome challenges like impostor syndrome. [2][5][6]

Action Item: Include practical tips in your articles to offer immediate value to your readers. [2][5][6]

7. Leverage Multimedia Content

Incorporate videos, podcasts, or music that relate to your content to provide a multi-sensory experience. [3][7]

Action Item: Embed multimedia elements where appropriate to complement your written content. [3][7]

8. Share Personal Reflections and Experiences

Continue to share your personal journey, thoughts, and reflections. Authentic storytelling can resonate deeply with readers. [2][7]

Action Item: Write about personal experiences, lessons learned, and advice to add a unique voice to your publication. [2][7]

By implementing these suggestions, you can enhance Brain-Slap and offer greater value to your readers.

As I continue to add to my publication with articles and Notes the chatbot will grow and become more valuable. I’ll keep building for now.

Do It…

Finish it: Been working on my new online business. It’s built around a app that scans barcodes for food and beverage items and gives a complete breakdown of the ingredients, descriptions, health and glucose rating, and clear definition of each ingredient and what it is typically used for. The project is defined. I have a step-by-step action plan. Now I need to do some market research on the idea. I’ll update everyone in a separate post.

Oh, and I’ll share my new e-book that I’ve worked on this week in a post tomorrow.

Watch it: The Penguin is must watch tv. Not sure how HBO - I refuse to call it MAX - continues to develop unique TV Series but they’ve got it down. This one is spectacular.

Read it: The Ferryman by Justin Cronin - Huge fan of Cronin. This is intelligent sci-fi without a super hero in sight.

Cover it: She’s got an abundance of talent.

Or…

Quote it:

To attain knowledge add things every day. To attain wisdom subtract things every day.
Lao Tzu

Brain-Slap