AI on Reddit: Proof we’re all Puppets | Ep. 31 🏄‍♀️

The manual for the most intelligent AI ever just dropped and it reads like instructions for choosing which screwdriver to use. Meanwhile, researchers at the University of Zurich proved just how easily AI can puppet human minds, while Google's latest creation learns to invent its own algorithms. From $5,000 home-printable humanoid robots to AI tutors outperforming traditional education by orders of magnitude, the acceleration is undeniable.

And… we got some great Innovation Network updates from masterclasses to a new branding. So new, that we couldn’t yet fully implement it in the newsletter. 😬

Let’s keep riding this tech wave together!

And don’t forget to follow us on socials and share share share all the innovation goodies!

Cheers,
Patrick, Nikola & Aragorn 🚀

OpenAI's User Guide Paradox

OpenAI just published a comprehensive guide telling users which AI model to use for specific tasks—GPT-4o for creative work, o1 for complex reasoning, GPT-4o mini for simple queries.

"Why is it that the whole company is not smart enough to just allow me to ask a question and then put the right model below it?" Patrick asks, highlighting what seems like a design flaw.

But the story is bigger than you thought. Think of it as training wheels for the singularity. While Sam Altman promised unified AI, this manual is the bridge getting us there. OpenAI is managing complexity during the most ambitious tech transition in history, building user sophistication that transfers seamlessly when the mega-model arrives. Companies don't publish detailed guides when they're uncertain—they do it when they know the complexity is temporary.

Why does it matter? 
Organizations that master AI orchestration now will dominate when unified AI arrives. The manual isn't admitting defeat; it's preparing winners for the next phase of evolution. Companies that learn to conduct multiple AI capabilities today will have the sophistication to leverage true AGI tomorrow, while competitors scramble to understand basics.

How AI Rewired Human Minds on Reddit

Researchers at the University of Zurich just proved something terrifying and liberating: AI can rewrite human beliefs with surgical precision. They created bots that scraped Reddit users' digital lives, built psychological profiles, and crafted responses so perfectly calibrated that people completely reversed their deeply held opinions.

"They literally proved that people are stupid," Aragorn observes. "What's unethical about that? It's time we faced up to this." This technology is already deployed at scale across platforms, not for research transparency but for profit and political manipulation. By understanding exactly how AI influences thinking, we can build defenses and harness these capabilities for positive transformation.

The researchers understood something crucial about human behavior: awareness changes everything. "We know for a fact that on multiple layers, observation and knowledge can change a situation," Aragorn explains. "If these people had known that an experiment was going on, they would have behaved differently, period."

Why does it matter?
We're entering an era where AI shapes how humans process information. Organizations that understand these dynamics and can ethically deploy AI persuasion will lead the transformation of human potential itself. The question isn't whether this will be used—it's whether it will be used wisely. Those who master AI influence now will help design the frameworks that govern AI-human interaction for generations.

The New Look of Innovation Network

After two years of "cyberpunk game children colors," we finally solved the human-AI collaboration puzzle. Our rebranding process became an accidental case study: AI generated 47 logo concepts in minutes, explored color palettes we'd never consider, and captured our "waves of change" metaphor perfectly. But it took human designer Marissa to weave the best elements into something cohesive.

The economics are staggering. What traditionally cost $40,000 and took months with agencies, we accomplished for a fraction of the price in weeks. "It took a human to take all these things in and then come with something like that," Patrick observes. AI handled the heavy lifting—generation, iteration, exploration—while human judgment provided the final integration that made it memorable.

Why does it matter?
This workflow is reshaping every creative industry. The traditional agency model—where humans do everything from concept to execution—is being disrupted by AI-assisted processes that are faster, cheaper, and often more creative. Organizations that master this dance between AI generation and human curation will outperform those treating AI as either a complete solution or a minor tool. The future belongs to creative directors of artificial intelligence.

Google's Alpha Evolve: The AI That Invents Intelligence

Google DeepMind just unleashed Alpha Evolve—the first AI system that creates new forms of intelligence rather than just applying existing ones. Unlike previous Alpha models that mastered single domains, this system can invent algorithms for any problem domain. "Alpha Evolve can create its own algorithms for any type of intelligence that you would like it to have," Patrick explains.

The technical breakthrough combines evolutionary machine learning with transformer architecture, creating meta-intelligence that improves its own thinking processes. When algorithms can evolve algorithms, technological advancement doesn't just accelerate—it compounds exponentially. We're approaching the event horizon where AI improvement becomes self-sustaining.

Why does it matter?
Alpha Evolve represents AI's transition from tool to independent innovator. We're not just building smarter computers—we're creating new forms of intelligence that discover solutions we cannot imagine. Organizations that position themselves to leverage self-improving AI will access capabilities that appear magical compared to today's standards. The strategic question becomes: how do you prepare for intelligence that exceeds human comprehension before it arrives?

The Energy Revolution Hidden in Plain Sight

The International Energy Agency reports that data center electricity demand will double by 2030—945 terawatt hours that would require covering an area twice the size of London with today's solar panels. While critics see environmental disaster, the real story is AI driving the fastest clean energy transition in human history.

"Humans always want more energy," Aragorn explains. "The question is, what are we going to focus on using it for?" China is covering entire mountainsides with solar panels driven by AI computational demands. The UK closed its last coal plant ahead of schedule. Australia races toward renewable independence. This acceleration isn't happening despite AI's energy appetite—it's happening because of it.

Why does it matter?
AI infrastructure is creating market conditions that make renewable energy economically inevitable, not just environmentally necessary. The same computational demands driving energy consumption are also driving unprecedented innovation in generation, storage, and distribution efficiency. We're not choosing between progress and sustainability—we're watching AI accelerate both simultaneously. The strategic focus should be positioning for the abundance economy that emerges when intelligence and energy become infinitely scalable.

The Education War Getting It Backwards

Critics argue that using AI in classrooms constitutes "educational malpractice" until we fully understand the technology. Meanwhile, students in Brownsville, Texas using AI tutoring for just 90 minutes daily are achieving top 1% national performance. In Nigeria, customized AI tutors helped students accomplish in six weeks what previously took two years.

"How long will that take? Exactly. There's no end to it," Aragorn counters when asked about waiting for complete understanding. We made this mistake with social media—ignored it in education, then acted surprised when students couldn't navigate digital manipulation. Teacher shortages, post-COVID learning gaps, and digital inequality plague our schools while we debate perfect implementation.

Why does it matter?
AI will transform learning whether we guide it or not. Schools that embrace AI tutoring now will produce graduates who think with AI, while traditional schools produce graduates who compete against AI. Every day of delay widens a gap that becomes permanent once the acceleration phase completes.

Your Personal Factory Revolution

For under $5,000, you can now 3D print functional humanoid robots at home. For $10,000, you can operate printing technology that rivals industrial equipment from the previous decade. Creators are building holographic workbenches that seamlessly blend AI design with automated manufacturing—speak a concept, refine with gestures, send directly to production in minutes.

"This is decentralized technology," Aragorn explains. "We can do anything from anywhere." Starlink delivers global internet for $200 monthly. Tesla solar provides energy independence. Advanced water purification makes any location habitable. The infrastructure advantages that created urban concentration are becoming individually accessible.

Why does it matter?
We're witnessing humanity's greatest spatial redistribution since the Agricultural Revolution. When you can manufacture needs, generate power, access global connectivity, and collaborate in virtual spaces indistinguishable from physical presence, the economic logic of cities crumbles. Organizations that adapt to distributed manufacturing and remote-everything will inherit the post-urban economy, while location-dependent businesses become obsolete.

Netflix's Content Trojan Horse

Netflix announces AI-generated advertisements for 2026—contextually aware spots that adapt in real-time to what you're watching. But the advertising announcement obscures a far more ambitious transformation: the shift from fixed content to infinite personalization. "In five, six years, you'll be able to basically generate any series on Netflix on the fly," Aragorn predicts.

The technology to fulfill requests like "Friends with double Joey plus Samantha from Sex and the City" exists today. The strategic shift moves from licensing existing content to selling generation rights. Netflix retains intellectual property over AI-created content while users get unlimited access to personalized entertainment that perfectly matches their evolving preferences.

Why does it matter?
We're approaching infinitely customizable content where every viewer gets personalized versions of every story. This model expands beyond entertainment into education, training, and human experience itself. Organizations that understand this shift from static products to dynamic services will redefine entire industries, while those clinging to traditional content models will find themselves competing against infinite personalization.

June 11th: The AI Masterclass Revolution

We're bringing 90 minutes of strategic AI insights followed by interactive workshops and critical Q&A from skeptics who will challenge every optimistic assumption we make.

"I really wanted to bring my message to normal Janes and Joes, because this is about their life," Aragorn explains.

The timing reflects a critical inflection point. AI capabilities are outpacing organizational adaptation faster than most leaders recognize. The window for strategic positioning is narrowing rapidly, and the decisions made in the next 12 months will determine competitive positioning for the next decade.

“And there is more, we will facilitate the discussion. First between the visistors so tey can learn from each other, then via the great podcast maker Rein-Jan Prakke who will interview a CEO about technology”, stated patrick

Why does it matter?

The AI transformation is here and accelerating beyond most people's processing ability. Strategic choices in the next year determine whether you lead this transition or become its casualty. The gap between AI leaders and AI laggards is becoming permanent, and the window to position yourself advantageously closes faster than most realize. This isn't about understanding AI technology. It's about surviving the most significant business transformation in human history.

The Ethics Gap That's Killing AI Adoption

AI development is moving at breakneck speed while ethical frameworks lag years behind. Executives know they need to act on AI, but hesitation isn't about the tech. it's about lacking internal ethical alignment. Too many organizations remain paralyzed, not by technical complexity but by uncertainty about deploying AI that reflects their values rather than Silicon Valley's defaults.

This gap became clear through Patrick's collaboration with AI ethics specialist Lisanne Buik. "So many executives know they have to act on AI. But too many execs are hesitating. Not because of lack of tools, but lack of internal (ethical) alignment" 

Our solution: The Gracious AI Agents Masterclass! A workshop that takes teams on a mission to design AI agents that embody their organizations specific values and principles. Read more here.

Is your team ready to lead with trust, not just tech?

We’re seeing a powerful shift in how organizations approach AI. It’s no longer just about adopting the latest tools. It’s about doing it with humanity, clarity, and purpose.This is ideal for teams that:

• Want AI that reflects their values, not compromises them

• Need alignment across departments before investing in AI tools.

• Are committed to ethical innovation that serves people, planet, and profit.

If that sounds like your team, you’re in the right place!

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