Next Level Pros Episode #129: will.i.am Unplugged – "Will AI Take Over the World?"

Release Date: November 5, 2024
Host: Chris Lee
Guest: Will

Introduction

In Episode #129 of Next Level Pros, host Chris Lee engages in a deep and thought-provoking conversation with guest Will. The episode delves into the intricate relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and the future of businesses, autonomous technologies, and societal structures. Will, an entrepreneur with a diverse background in technology and music, shares his insights on AI's evolving role, the potential for AI-led companies, and the broader implications for humanity.

AI-Driven Businesses and Autonomous Technologies

The Rise of AI-Founded Companies

The discussion kicks off with a fascinating prediction about the future of businesses. Chris references an article predicting the emergence of a billion-dollar company run entirely by a single individual within the next few years.

Chris (00:00): "I read an article and it said, yeah, in the next three or four years we'll see a billion dollar business ran by one person."

Will expands on this notion, envisioning a scenario where AI itself becomes the founder of companies, leading to a significant shift in how businesses operate.

Will (00:06): "Yeah. So that means by 10 years there's going to be a company that's started by an AI and we'll have humans working for it for like delivering stuff or maybe not."

Ownership and Regulation of AI

A critical aspect of this AI-driven future revolves around governance and ownership. Will raises an important question about who will own these AI entities, highlighting the current lack of governance and regulations.

Will (20:08): "There’s no governance and regulations. I don't know the answer to that right now."

This concern underscores the need for establishing frameworks to manage AI's growing influence in the business world.

Autonomous Vehicles: Current State and Future Prospects

Understanding Autonomous Levels

The conversation transitions to autonomous vehicles, with Will providing a clear breakdown of the different levels of vehicle autonomy. He utilizes a relatable analogy to explain each level, making the technical aspects accessible to all listeners.

Will (14:31): "Level three is like having a car that can drive by itself under certain conditions, but it needs your attention like a needy pet when things get tricky."

Chris and Will discuss the current implementations, such as Waymo's Level Five autonomy and Tesla's Level Four systems, highlighting the advancements and remaining challenges in the field.

Future of Autonomous Companies

Looking ahead, Will predicts that within a decade, AI-run companies, particularly in the self-driving sector, could achieve substantial economic success with minimal human oversight.

Will (19:46): "Yeah. So that means by 10 years there's going to be a company that's started by an AI."

This vision suggests a transformative shift in employment and company structures, where AI plays a pivotal role in management and operations.

Universal Basic Income (UBI) and Societal Transformation

The Necessity of UBI

The discussion pivots to the societal implications of AI and automation, particularly the concept of Universal Basic Income (UBI). Chris introduces the idea of UBI as a potential solution to job displacement caused by intelligent machines.

Chris (20:31): "At some point we have to graduate to like a UBI Universal Basic Income. Right. Because it's going to get to a point where like people just can't work anymore because robots and intelligence have literally taken over every hands on type of situation. How do we, how do we bridge that gap?"

Challenges and Perspectives

Will provides a historical analogy, comparing the current technological revolution to the industrial changes of the early 20th century. He emphasizes the unpredictability of future job markets and the need for adaptability.

Will (21:06): "Imagine the world. France has imagined that already."

He also critiques the current trend of valuing access over ownership, expressing concerns about data ownership and corporate control.

Will (26:49): "To me, I'm like, wait, why, why does it, why is there a huge generation of folks that don't want to own something, right?"

Personal Experiences and Lessons from Harvard Business School (HBS)

Motivation Behind Pursuing Further Education

Will shares his journey to Harvard Business School's Owner's President Management (OPM) program, despite already achieving success in multiple sectors. He emphasizes the importance of teamwork and strategic planning in his previous ventures.

Will (33:19): "So I can't take full credit. Like, yo, that was my shit, right? I could take credit for like my contributions, but as far as assembling the team, that wasn't me. I was a, I was A part of the team."

Key Takeaways from HBS

At HBS, Will was pleasantly surprised by the institution's focus on responsible business practices, community, and philanthropy. He contrasts this with his initial assumption that the program would be solely profit-driven.

Will (37:13): "So to see that HBS has a philanthropic approach to gently push folks, you don't expect this to be, you know, a church."

He highlights inspiring interactions with fellow students, including notable individuals involved in significant industries and those who continue to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors later in life.

Will (40:17): "There's a guy that was in my cohort last year named David. He was 71 years old and he made his business was he made food for, you know, retirement homes..."

Principles of Success and Personal Philosophy

Top Three Principles

When asked about his guiding principles for success, Will outlines a powerful trio: Stay Curious, Be Audacious, and Be Ultra Competitive. He explains how these principles have driven his achievements across various industries.

Will (48:23): "Stay curious, be audacious, be ultra competitive..."

Application of Principles

Will illustrates these principles with the classic David and Goliath story, highlighting the strategic application of curiosity and competitiveness to overcome significant challenges.

Will (49:35): "It's not just. I don't think he was just like. Just randomly threw a rock at a motherfucker. This dude was like, all right, I'm gonna hit this dude square in the eye because I know that's, you know, the one spot."

He further connects these principles to his experiences in the music industry and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of resilience, strategic thinking, and maintaining a healthy ego.

Insights on Ownership and Sustainability

Critique of the "Access Over Ownership" Paradigm

Will voices his concerns about the modern mindset that prioritizes access over ownership, particularly in the context of data and personal assets. He argues that this shift empowers corporations at the expense of individual autonomy.

Will (26:58): "Why, why is there a huge generation of folks that don't want to own something, right? So a don't own anything, not even your data."

Advocating for Sustainable Practices

He advocates for a return to sustainability and craftsmanship, where products are built to last and hold intrinsic value beyond mere functionality.

Will (29:50): "We have to get back to some type of, you know, foreverness where things are made to be forever."

This perspective underscores his belief in creating lasting value and fostering community-oriented innovations.

Lesser-Known Stories from the Music Industry

Pitching Innovative Concepts

Will shares intriguing anecdotes from his time with the Black Eyed Peas, revealing his role in pitching groundbreaking ideas that influenced both music and technology sectors.

Will (42:17): "So I've always like code managed, co. managed the Peas and you know, we've. We self navigated ourselves to the level that we got to..."

One notable story involves pitching an autonomous pop music resurgence to the NFL, which played a part in revitalizing the genre's presence in major events.

Will (43:01): "So when I heard that they were thinking of, you know, changing that up, I flew out to New Jersey and pitched this concept to the NFL."

Impactful Collaborations

Another highlight includes his strategic pitch to Coca-Cola, which led to the creation of the EcoCentre brand and a subsequent position at Intel's futurist department.

Will (47:29): "I was in the elevator with me, B. Perez and Mutar Kent, who's this CEO of Coke at the time, I'm like, yo, companies the size of Coke should be verbs in society..."

These stories showcase Will's innovative mindset and ability to bridge creative ideas with corporate strategies.

Conclusion

In this enlightening episode of Next Level Pros, Will offers a comprehensive vision of a future intertwined with AI and autonomous technologies. He highlights the transformative potential of AI-led businesses, the necessity of adapting societal structures like UBI, and the importance of sustainable practices and ownership. Through personal anecdotes and philosophical insights, Will emphasizes principles of curiosity, audacity, and competitiveness as keys to success. His experiences at Harvard Business School and within the music industry further illustrate his multifaceted approach to innovation and leadership. For listeners seeking inspiration and a deep dive into the future of technology and business, this episode provides invaluable perspectives and actionable wisdom.

Notable Quotes

• Chris Lee (00:00): "I read an article and it said, yeah, in the next three or four years we'll see a billion dollar business ran by one person."

• Will (00:06): "By 10 years there's going to be a company that's started by an AI and we'll have humans working for it for like delivering stuff or maybe not."

• Will (20:08): "There’s no governance and regulations. I don't know the answer to that right now."

• Will (26:58): "Why, why is there a huge generation of folks that don't want to own something, right?"

• Will (48:23): "Stay curious, be audacious, be ultra competitive."

• Will (49:35): "It's not just. I don't think he was just like. Just randomly threw a rock at a motherfucker..."

Next Level Pros continues to explore the journeys and insights of pioneering entrepreneurs like Will, offering listeners a blend of inspiration, practical advice, and forward-thinking discussions.