You know those rare people who spend their lives immersed in the future of technology? Robert Scoble is one of them. He was literally Apple's first child laborer (his words, not mine!) - building Apple II motherboards in his family's kitchen back in 1978. For a decade, he ran one of Silicon Valley's most influential blogs, helping launch numerous companies along the way. He's also written seven books sharing what he's learned, and today, he's still doing what he does best: testing tomorrow's technology and sharing his insights with the rest of us.
In our wide-ranging conversation on The Augmented Life, he shared perspectives that challenge how we think about human-AI interaction— and what it means to embrace technological augmentation in our daily lives.
What struck me most was Robert's concept of "AI-first living," AKA the deliberate practice of incorporating AI into every aspect of life. It's not just about having access to tools; it's about developing the mindset to leverage them effectively. As he puts it, "by forcing yourself to use it for everything, you really start to see some insights."
This approach has led to surprising discoveries. For instance, Robert's psychiatrist now uses AI to generate detailed clinical notes during therapy sessions, allowing her to be more present with patients while capturing nuanced patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. That AI identified a correlation between psoriasis mentions and depression that proved crucial for one patient's treatment – a pattern that would have been difficult for a human to spot across dozens of sessions.
But perhaps the most powerful insight from our conversation wasn't about technology at all – it was about preservation. As we discussed the future of humanoid robots and home automation, Robert emphasized the importance of capturing tacit knowledge, especially family histories and traditions. "Interview your relatives about your family," he urged. "Record people making your favorite dishes." This isn't just nostalgia; it's about preserving the irreplaceable knowledge that makes us who we are, knowledge that future AI systems could help us maintain and pass on.
The conversation reinforced my belief that we're entering an era where the distinction between augmented and unaugmented humans will increasingly be defined by our ability to receive and act on real-time guidance. It's not just about having access to information – it's about developing the skills to interpret and apply it effectively. As Robert demonstrated through his use of AI in everything from poker strategy to travel planning, the key is maintaining a learning mindset and being willing to experiment with new approaches.
What's particularly exciting is how these technologies are democratizing expertise. Through clever prompting techniques, like creating virtual panels of experts or using AI to analyze photos of medical conditions, we're developing new ways to access and apply specialized knowledge. The future belongs not to those who know everything, but to those who know how to leverage AI to enhance their understanding and capabilities.
As we navigate this transformation, the question isn't whether to embrace these technologies, but how to do so in a way that enhances rather than diminishes our humanity. Robert's approach of conscious, intentional integration – what he calls "AI-first living" – offers a compelling model for those of us seeking to thrive in this augmented future.
Want to learn how to apply these insights to your own life? Listen to the full episode where Robert and I explore everything from the future of brain-computer interfaces to practical strategies for staying adaptable in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
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