The Daily Planet #97: The AI Bubble, Part 22

Last week, I talked about the contrast between prediction and production as two paths to AGI. We can ask the same question about AI's impact on culture: if ubiquitous prediction is the A16Z bet, what does ubiquitous production look like?

The quick answer is that people have been thinking about this for a while, just not in the context of AI. Rather, we should look towards the short-lived Metaverse bubble to understand ubiquitous production in the context of AI.

It's time to read Mark Weiser again.

Mark Weiser's vision of computing for the 21st century centers on the concept of ubiquitous computing, where computers become seamlessly integrated into everyday life and effectively disappear from conscious awareness. Unlike traditional personal computers, which demand focused attention and remain isolated devices, ubiquitous computing envisions a world where countless small, interconnected computers - embedded in objects like walls, desks, and clothing - work quietly in the background to assist people naturally and effortlessly.

Weiser contrasts this vision with virtual reality, which creates a separate, simulated world requiring special equipment and isolating users from their real environment. Instead, he proposes "embodied virtuality," where digital information and computing power are woven into the physical world, enhancing reality rather than replacing it. This approach allows computers to adapt to their location and context, making interactions intuitive and unobtrusive.

AI is the way to make embodied virtuality happen, and I would bet on China getting there first.