ISTM #41. AI & the Future of Me
Chris Kieff and I met this morning to assess the status of our Thriving in the AI Era book project. We concluded that we were attempting to cover a topic that was evolving so rapidly that just about every chapter we would write would probably be outdated by the time our book would publish.
Talk about existential problems? We might as well write, A Brief History of the Universe and Its Impact on Your Bottom Line. Instead, we decided to put our project on indefinite hold: Perhaps, we’ll circle back t in a few months with a narrower and less dynamic focus.
My immediate writing plan is to focus on Substack and my social networks by spotlighting people and companies—particularly startups— demonstrating promises or problems related to AI. I’m looking for people and businesses to write to, and if you have ideas, please let me know.
In addition, I’ve taken in almost no money while focusing on the AI Era book project has left my personal balance sheet thinner than the chance that I would vote for Donald Trump (except as a juror). I
Here are the four areas where I offer editorial service to tech business clients,:
1. Ghostwriting. This has been my central focus since I stopped writing my own books in 2017. In the last five years I’ve had several successful engagements, under NDA, so I can only speak about them in general terms:
a. Book #1 was about how AI can slow the rate of global warming.
b. Book #2 talked about a technology that would allow CEO’s or elderly family members record AI powered videos that would allow employees or family members to answer questions from either the hereafter or just geographic distances.
c. Book #3 was for an early-phase VC about how entrepreneurs should pitch early-phase VCs.
Typically, these projects take 6-12 months to complete, with me working more than 100 hours per month. These are tough and dynamic times and these are projects that usually require 100 hours per month of my time for six-to-twelve months.
2. Rewriting. This is a new service for me that I recently stumbled upon. It is based on a recent experience I had where I rewrote the first draft of a book written by a tech business executive and I realized that if my clients wrote the first draft of even a detailed outline before engaging me, it could cut time and costs by about two-thirds. I have not yet done one of these, but I would love to try it soon.
3. Short Projects. I ghostwrite byline articles, presentations, and white papers for executives. In this area, I am finding a new form of competition in the form of a Generative AI such as ChatGPT and Bard, which some people feel are good enough for their purposes. I am available for clients who do not think good enough is good enough and want better.
4. Other. If you have another writing project in mind, I am always open to new ideas.
One last note: this is the first time in since I started writing ItSeemstoMe over 20 years ago that I have spotlighted myself and what I do rather than entrepreneurs and what their technology does. rather than entrepreneurs, companies, or issues related to disruptive technology, and like many readers I know, these have been particularly challenging times, compelling many of us to adjust course at unprecedented rates.
I promise that the next five issues of ItSeemstoMe will focus more on content that is valuable to you than they are promotional to me.
If you know stories about world-changing new technologies, please let me know. I will reward you with a lifetime free subscription to this free newsletter.
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