AI is Unstoppable!

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become one of the most transformative forces in modern technology, impacting every aspect of our lives. Whether it’s shaping industries or revolutionizing personal experiences, AI is here to stay, and its growth is unstoppable. As someone who has witnessed AI’s rise firsthand, both professionally and personally, I have seen how it is not only reshaping the world but also transforming human connections and collaborations. In this essay, I will share insights from my own journey and how AI has become an integral part of the future for myself and many others.

1. The Foundation: Friends and AI

I have always been surrounded by friends who, like me, are deeply involved in technology. Let me introduce one of them, whom I’ll call Yijing Research Enthusiasts. He graduated from a work-study program in the United States and then worked for a semiconductor company. Meanwhile, after earning my master’s degree in computer science in the U.S., I moved to Silicon Valley to work as a software engineer.

Our professional paths seemed different at first glance—he was involved in hardware, while I focused on software—but the power of AI would later prove that no industry or professional background is immune to its influence. Even though we worked in distinct areas of technology, we both realized how AI was beginning to bridge the gap between software and hardware, revolutionizing both fields.

2. Shifting Paths and Reunions

Despite our different career paths, our personal lives intertwined in ways we hadn’t expected. After the 9/11 attacks in the United States, I decided to return to Taiwan, and that decision brought us back into closer contact. My daughter and his daughter went to the same school, and our families remained close friends throughout the years. Our friendship, built on shared values and experiences, became even stronger over time.

Meanwhile, he had gone on to co-found a related semiconductor company with a well-known industry leader, achieving tremendous success. The company eventually went public, a milestone that is incredibly rare and impressive in the semiconductor world. His journey in the hardware industry demonstrated not only his technical acumen but also his vision for innovation, much like AI’s ability to continuously evolve and disrupt industries.

3. A Mentor and Innovator

He wasn’t just a brilliant entrepreneur—he was also a devoted Christian who lived by the values of kindness and integrity. He was my mentor in many ways, not only professionally but also personally. His deep understanding of the I Ching (易經) and his approach to semiconductor research through a scientific lens were extraordinary. He once taught IC design at a renowned university in Taipei using the principles of I Ching, an unprecedented fusion of ancient philosophy and modern technology. This unique approach to teaching reflected his innovative spirit, something AI similarly embodies. AI, after all, is about finding new ways to solve old problems, just as he did with his teaching.

4. Planning the Future with AI

Fast forward to September 14, 2024, when we sat down for a meeting at a Starbucks near National Taiwan University in Taipei. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as we discussed the explosion of AI in the past year. Demand for AI-driven solutions had surged, and we knew we had to adapt quickly. Over coffee, we sketched out a plan for our future collaboration, focused on integrating AI into new, groundbreaking innovations.

One of our key goals was to help him build a modern, AI-powered website. This site would allow him to update content effortlessly by speaking into his phone, making it easier than ever to share his knowledge and ideas with a global audience. He had already published a book on the relationship between the I Ching and the Bible, an ambitious work that challenged traditional views and invited readers to think critically about the connections between these ancient texts.

5. Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

Reflecting on this journey, there are several lessons I’ve learned from AI’s impact on our lives. First, adaptability is key. AI, like life, constantly evolves, and those who resist its potential are likely to fall behind. My friend’s success in the semiconductor industry came from his ability to innovate and adapt, just as we must do with AI today. AI is reshaping industries at a speed we’ve never seen before, and those who embrace it are the ones who will thrive in this new landscape.

Second, collaboration is more important than ever. Just as my friend and I found common ground despite our different career paths, AI is blurring the lines between disciplines. It’s no longer enough to specialize in one field—AI is pushing us to explore interdisciplinary approaches. The synergy between hardware and software, or between philosophy and technology, is where true innovation lies.

Finally, I’ve learned the importance of making technology accessible. Our plan to build an AI-powered website for my friend demonstrates that technology should not be intimidating. It should be a tool that anyone can use, regardless of their technical expertise. By creating intuitive, AI-driven platforms, we can help more people share their knowledge and ideas with the world.

6. Final Tips and Thoughts

As we wrapped up our meeting that day, I realized how far AI had come in shaping our lives and how it would continue to influence the future. If you’re interested in leveraging AI for your personal or professional life, here are a few tips:

• Start Small: Explore AI-powered tools and apps that can help streamline your daily tasks, from scheduling to content creation.
• Embrace Collaboration: Whether you’re in hardware, software, or another field entirely, find ways to collaborate with others to unlock AI’s full potential.
• Stay Curious: The world of AI is evolving rapidly. Stay informed and be open to learning how AI can benefit different areas of your life.
• Make It Accessible: If you’re working on AI-driven projects, think about how you can make them user-friendly so that more people can benefit from them.

AI has already changed my life in ways I never expected, and I am confident it will continue to reshape the world. As our meeting in that Starbucks showed, the future is full of exciting possibilities, and AI is leading the way. AI’s impact on my life and career has been overwhelmingly positive—here’s to a future where we continue to explore its limitless potential!