
The Inheritance 2040
Google calls it the '5% problem.' AI can personalize the curriculum, but it cannot supply the drive. Why the true inheritance of the AI age isn't knowledge—it's the discipline to keep learning when no one is watching.
My thoughts on AI, parenthood and leadership from a systems engineering perspective.

Google calls it the '5% problem.' AI can personalize the curriculum, but it cannot supply the drive. Why the true inheritance of the AI age isn't knowledge—it's the discipline to keep learning when no one is watching.

We're all being offered the choice from The Matrix: comfortable ignorance or painful truth. But the real choice isn't which pill you take—it's what you do after. Seeing the system of AI automation isn't enough. The real challenge is learning how to reshape it.

"Living the dream, man." I gave my standard reply between sets at the gym. But this time, the response was different. He paused, looked at me thoughtfully, and asked, "Have you figured out what that means?" The question stopped me in my tracks—and sent me down a path of redefining what "the dream" really means in a life of constant change.

If money has always been a claim on human labor, what happens when human labor is no longer the bedrock of value? The pillars of power are shaking, and what we build in their place will define the next century.

As venture capitalist Marc Andreessen invests hundreds of millions to enact his "Techno-Optimist Manifesto," a 30-year-old challenge from Tupac Shakur becomes more relevant than ever: "Even if you earned it, you still owe". AI promises a future of "radical abundance," but will that abundance be shared, or will it be captured by a select few?. This post moves beyond hope and politics, proposing a three-part engineer's blueprint for designing a system that ensures the benefits of AI belong to everyone.

An engineer and a weightlifter operate in different worlds—one of logic and systems, the other of raw physical effort. But the discipline required to succeed in both is exactly the same.

Introduce AI by milestones, not age: evidence, risks, and guardrails for parents and schools

True wealth isn't just financial; it's a balanced system of health, skills, network, and financial stability, all supported by daily habits.

As AI reshapes career paths, the focus shifts from traditional roles to mastering AI tools and building human networks, preparing the next generation for a future where human creativity and AI collaboration are key.

In an era where AI excels in automation, the irreplaceable human touch lies in our ability to connect, create with purpose and infuse meaning into every interaction.