I've spent a lot of time pondering on the importance of technological progress. But I've come to realize that not all technology is equal. If you're a gifted technologist, it's the foundational tech you should dedicate your energies to – technology that sets the groundwork for a new Golden Age for humanity, technology that creates abundance.
Imagine technology that ensures every human being has access to clean, low-cost water – no more worries about where your next glass of safe drinking water is coming from. Or envision an AI-based educational assistant, so effective yet affordable, that all it requires from you is the curiosity to learn.
Imagine a world where homelessness is unheard of because innovative, cheap, and durable building materials have made shelter accessible for all. It's about technology that allows us to grow nutritious food closer to home, making healthy eating a commonplace rather than a luxury. This is what I mean when I talk about foundational tech.
We also need tech that ensures fast internet connectivity for everyone, irrespective of where they are in the world. Starlink and its competitors are already leading the way here. Picture a world where transportation isn't limited to the wealthy – thanks to automated cars, anyone can book a ride and travel wherever they want. Mobility should not be a privilege, but a fundamental right in a world shaped by foundational tech.
Foundational tech helps to nurture creativity as well. Technologies like Midjourney are empowering individuals to bring their imagination to life without needing an army of artists at their disposal.
And let's not forget the ethical dilemmas we face today, such as animal farming for meat. Imagine a world where we could grow meat without the need to breed and slaughter millions of animals annually. That's abundance tech in action.
At the heart of it, foundational tech should enable us to understand ourselves better. To know what we need to eat to thrive, not just survive. Personalized nutrition should not be the privilege of billionaires but should be within everyone's reach.
In essence, if you're a technologist, this is where your focus should be – creating the foundational tech that brings about an age of abundance, an age of universal access to essentials, and an age where technology is the great equalizer. This, in my view, is the power of foundational tech, and it's the only thing worth dedicating your talents to.