The Explosion of 2nd Brain Apps: Things I Don't Know About AI

Kazuki

Hatched by Kazuki

Mar 13, 2024

5 min read

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The Explosion of 2nd Brain Apps: Things I Don't Know About AI

In today's fast-paced and information-driven world, it's no surprise that the use of productivity apps has skyrocketed. From note-taking apps to task managers, these tools aim to help individuals streamline their workflow and organize their thoughts. One emerging trend in this space is the rise of "2nd brain" apps – platforms designed to serve as a digital extension of our minds. These apps promise to help us collect, process, and make sense of the vast amount of information we encounter daily.

One such app that has caught my attention is Matter. With Matter, users can collect various types of content, such as articles, web pages, and even snippets of text, and process them using its powerful features. It offers a seamless experience, allowing users to integrate their collected knowledge into their workflow effortlessly. But Matter is just one piece of the puzzle.

Another tool that has intrigued me is Glasp. Unlike Matter, Glasp is not an app but a browser extension. It allows users to highlight and annotate web content, providing a simple yet effective way to extract key insights. One interesting feature of Glasp is the ability to use different highlight colors for different purposes. For example, yellow can be used for standard highlights and insights, blue for facts or terminology, red for statements we disagree with, and green for the main takeaway points. This color-coding system can be immensely helpful in organizing and reviewing information.

But how do these 2nd brain apps tie into the world of artificial intelligence (AI)? Well, the connection might not be immediately apparent, but it's worth exploring. Azure, Microsoft's cloud computing platform, generates a staggering $25 billion in revenue every quarter. What's even more interesting is the impact that AI has had on Azure's revenue in recent times. In the second quarter of 2024, Azure experienced a growth of 6 percentage points, thanks to AI. This translates to an annualized increase of $5-6 billion, which is roughly 50% of Microsoft's investment in OpenAI.

This raises a few thought-provoking questions. Are cloud providers, like Microsoft, shaping the AI landscape by funding large-scale models? Are they creating an oligopoly market by leveraging their immense compute power and capital? Additionally, does the open-source software (OSS) model disrupt the traditional economics of AI, shifting the focus from foundation models to cloud-based solutions? Moreover, does Meta, the parent company of Facebook, continue to fund open-source models like Llama-N and push the boundaries of AI research?

Digging deeper into the licensing terms of Llama2, there's an intriguing clause that allows open commercial use of the license if the user base is fewer than 700 million. This provision not only prevents large competitors from freely using Llama's models but also creates a revenue stream for Meta. Cloud providers, like Microsoft, would need to pay a licensing fee to Meta for using Llama, despite it being an open-source model. This highlights Meta's long-term strategy to control and monetize Llama, showcasing the complexities of the AI market.

While cloud providers and global big tech companies dominate the AI landscape, there's potential for regional players to emerge. Countries, too, can become significant sources of capital for AI research and development. Europe, Japan, India, UAE, China, and other nations are witnessing the growth of great model companies. With government backing, these companies could become multi-billion-dollar players, further diversifying the AI market.

As we delve into the future of AI, it's essential to consider the impact of GPU shortages on AI cloud providers. The availability of GPUs plays a crucial role in the development and deployment of AI models. If the GPU bottleneck were to end, it could have varying effects on different companies. Those solely relying on GPU cloud services might struggle, while companies offering a broader range of tools and services could have an easier transition.

Shifting gears to the application side of AI, we come across a fascinating observation. ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI, was launched about 15 months ago. According to a rough timeline, we should start seeing a wave of app builders emerging now or in the near future. This new cohort of builders could potentially create consumer-focused AI applications that cater to both personal and business use cases. Apps like ChatGPT, Midjourney, Perplexity, and Pika serve as early examples of consumer-oriented AI products. However, there seems to be a scarcity of consumer builders in the AI ecosystem. Could it be the result of a time delay, similar to the gap observed between the 2007-2012 social product cohort and the current AI consumer wave? Perhaps what AI needs is fresh blood and new perspectives to drive the next wave of consumer-oriented innovations.

Lastly, let's dive into the realm of AI agents. The possibilities with agents are vast and diverse, spanning various product areas and startup opportunities. The challenge lies in identifying the areas where focused products can thrive and where startups can find valuable use cases. As AI continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how agents shape different industries and sectors.

In conclusion, the explosion of 2nd brain apps and the ever-growing influence of AI are transforming the way we work, think, and organize information. From productivity tools like Matter and Glasp to the economic implications of AI on cloud providers, there's a multitude of factors at play. To navigate this evolving landscape, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

  • 1. Embrace the power of 2nd brain apps: Experiment with tools like Matter and Glasp to streamline your workflow and enhance your knowledge management process. Explore different techniques, such as color-coding highlights, to extract key insights effectively.
  • 2. Stay informed about the AI ecosystem: Keep up with the latest developments in AI, cloud computing, and open-source models. Understanding the interplay between these factors can provide valuable insights into the future of AI and its impact on various industries.
  • 3. Consider the consumer perspective: If you're an entrepreneur or a builder, explore the untapped potential of consumer-focused AI applications. Leverage the advancements in AI technology to create innovative products that cater to both personal and business use cases.

As we navigate the intricate landscape of 2nd brain apps and AI, there's still much to learn and discover. The possibilities are endless, and with the right tools and insights, we can shape the future of knowledge management and AI-powered applications.

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