Hello everyone, and welcome to the site! I’m thrilled to start this blog and share some of the ideas swirling in my mind, particularly about AI and its transformative impact on our world.
I want this first post to be about where I think the industry is at and the potential impacts our society is soon going to be facing.
Background
Right now, AI has far surpassed human intelligence in many respects. OpenAI’s o3 Deep Researcher model stands as the state-of-the-art. Its intelligence leaps beyond conventional benchmarks. I’d even go so far as to speculate that its capabilities exceed those of most individuals holding PhDs, with an IQ that might approach, or even surpass, 200.
As these models continue to improve, often self-enhancing in rapid cycles, the pace of progress only accelerates. Anyone keeping up with the industry knows that we’re in an era of exponential growth. We find ourselves at a pivotal and fascinating moment in history: having built technology that bests human intelligence, yet we still haven’t figured out how to implement it effectively. That gap is narrowing. Soon, these systems will be accessible to everyone—or at least, that’s my hope. I’m doing my best to keep up with these changes and wanted to share my perspective on our current state of affairs.
An AI Philosophy
Over the past few years, I’ve immersed myself in AI. Reading the constant stream of academic papers and paying close attention to experts in the field, I’ve spent hundreds of hours planning, developing, and prototyping general-purpose AI assistants. I envision a tool that’s available to me all day, every day, even working on projects while I sleep. This has led me to develop what I call the philosophy of omnipresent tooling.
I’ve been seeing AI as a potential extension of myself, an enhancement of who I am and what I aspire to be. AI shouldn’t replace the essence of our humanity; rather, it should amplify it. One of the most damaging parts of the past few decades of growth is that technology has become this negative, oppressive aspect in our lives. People are spending their time distracted and commoditized by algorithms designed by a few hundred individuals in Silicon Valley. Everyone sees this. But I don't think everyone understands how truly handicapping this relationship will become in the coming months and years. In a world where technology is no longer optional, neglecting it would be akin to choosing illiteracy over the ability to read.
While such statements might carry a negative connotation, especially after years of addictive technology, we must reexamine our relationship with technology as superintelligent AI draws nearer. I believe that, despite the inevitable turbulence of this transition, AI will ultimately enhance our lives rather than destroy them.
Omnipresent Tooling
To me, AI should be an ever-present, adaptable tool that evolves alongside us. It’s not about isolated conversations or queries; it’s about creating a digital shadow of who we are. I want to increase my ability to adapt to life’s uncontrollable elements by mastering the aspects I can influence. Practically speaking, this means that the AI I interact with on my phone, laptop, desktop, or wearable devices is part of a broader, deeply personalized system, one that I have built and understand thoroughly. And one that puts privacy and individuality first.
The Upcoming Rift
A rift is on the horizon, a divide between those who embrace AI as an essential part of life and those who either lack access or choose to reject it. Expanding access to AI and democratizing this technology is a key goal of mine, with education as a top priority. I firmly believe that early adoption is the way forward. This isn’t about financial gain or status; it’s about ensuring a smoother transition into the future. Again, opting out of this technological evolution is like choosing illiteracy—a massive disadvantage in a rapidly evolving world.
Why Open Source Matters
I’m aware that not everyone has equal access to education or the latest technology. As we step into this new era, democratizing and de-commoditizing intelligence is critical. I’m not entirely sure how we can achieve this, but we’re at a crossroads. Open source tools are more powerful and accessible than ever before. With just a laptop and an internet connection, you can now easily work with cutting-edge technologies. However, this democratization carries risks; it’s as if everyone suddenly had access to nuclear weapons—one misstep by a bad actor, and the consequences could be dire. This reality is inescapable, and I fear the window for regulation has closed. We’ve already opened Pandora’s Box.
What Comes Next?
Any answer to this question is skeptical at best. However, I do have some predictions. I’m operating under this assumption: o3 Deep Researcher meets my criteria for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). While this is debatable, I’m ready to stop moving the goal posts and acknowledge that we now live in a world where AGI exists. For the unaware, there’s a global power struggle unfolding with AI at its center. This landscape will continue to evolve, and although current human conflicts may seem significant now, they will pale in comparison to a future shaped by superintelligent machines. Who will have a greater impact: an elected official with an IQ of 110 or a humanity-first AI with an IQ exceeding 300? I know where I stand, and I’m hedging all my bets on an AI-driven future.
I look forward to exploring these ideas further and following where things are headed. Thanks for taking the time to read this post, and I’m excited to start sharing more on this site.
-Jaymin
Omnipresent Tooling | Jaymin West