The brief history of artificial intelligence: The world has changed fast – what might be next? Just 10 years ago, no machine could reliably provide language or image recognition at a human level. But, as the chart shows, AI systems have become steadily more capable and are now beating humans in tests in all these domains. This rapid progress can be attributed to three fundamental factors: training computation, algorithms, and input data.

The brief history of artificial intelligence: The world has changed fast – what might be next? Just 10 years ago, no machine could reliably provide language or image recognition at a human level. But, as the chart shows, AI systems have become steadily more capable and are now beating humans in tests in all these domains. This rapid progress can be attributed to three fundamental factors: training computation, algorithms, and input data.

Training computation is measured in floating point operations, or FLOP for short. One FLOP is equivalent to one addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division of two decimal numbers. All AI systems that rely on machine learning need to be trained, and in these systems, training computation plays a crucial role in driving the capabilities of the system. For the first six decades, training computation increased in line with Moore’s Law, doubling roughly every 20 months. However, since 2010, there has been an exponential growth in training computation, with a doubling time of just about 6 months.

This exponential growth in training computation has led to the development of more powerful AI systems. In fact, according to a report, there is a 50% probability that "transformative AI" will be developed by 2040. This means that human-level artificial intelligence could become a reality within the next two decades, or possibly even sooner.

Now, let's shift our focus to the world of newsletters. Email newsletters have been around longer than the web itself, and paid newsletters have been around longer than the internet. In the past, there were always two constraints when it came to one-writer businesses. First, generating meaningful ad revenue on the web required more traffic and more writing than a single person could produce. Second, creating a mass-market paid blog model proved to be challenging.

However, the rise of platforms like Substack has changed the game. Substack made publishing and charging for newsletters easy by providing an all-in-one solution. With Substack, you can easily create a website, manage memberships, send emails, and process payments. This simplicity has attracted many writers to monetize their content through paid newsletters.

Substack also offers a user-facing brand that provides a platform for recommendations and discovery. In the early stages of a new platform, the first creators to offer something valuable have the opportunity to thrive and become influential. However, as more creators join the platform, the dynamics change, and the question of "what happens when there is more stuff on your platform than anyone can look at?" becomes essential. This question defines the true meaning of a product and its role in the network.

In the case of Substack, the question arises: where does their own reader fit in as email fills up? Is Substack primarily a network or a tool? Can users take their subscriber lists and migrate to another platform? The relationship between Substack and its creators is a crucial aspect to consider. Are creators paying Substack for a tool, or is Substack paying creators for their content? The answers to these questions determine the dynamics and value proposition of the platform.

To summarize, both artificial intelligence and newsletters have undergone significant transformations in recent years. AI systems have become more capable, and the development of human-level artificial intelligence is on the horizon. On the other hand, newsletters have found new life through platforms like Substack, providing writers with a way to monetize their content easily. The future of both AI and newsletters holds immense potential and opportunities.

In conclusion, here are three actionable advice:

• 1. Embrace the advancements in artificial intelligence: Stay updated with the latest developments and explore how AI can benefit your industry or personal projects. Being aware of the potential impact of AI can help you stay ahead of the curve and leverage its capabilities effectively.

• 2. Consider starting a newsletter: If you have valuable insights or expertise to share, starting a newsletter can be a great way to build an audience and monetize your content. Platforms like Substack provide the necessary tools and infrastructure to make the process seamless.

• 3. Focus on building a network: In a world where attention is scarce, building a network of like-minded individuals can be invaluable. Whether you're a creator on Substack or an AI enthusiast, actively engaging with others and fostering connections can lead to new opportunities and collaborations.

The future holds exciting possibilities for both artificial intelligence and newsletters. By embracing these trends and taking action, you can position yourself for success in this rapidly evolving landscape.