This edition explores the gap between AI capabilities and human imagination, highlighting the concept of "Imagination Asymmetry" as articulated by Mike Cannon-Brookes. It examines the implications of delegating creative processes to AI and the potential loss of discovery and insight that comes with it. The newsletter reflects on the historical context of OMATA, a project that embodies the intersection of design and technology, while also addressing the importance of curiosity and wonder in a culture increasingly focused on...

Explore a future where household inference and mundane intelligence form the backbone of daily life, as policy evolves into legislation, creating regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms. This edition examines the intertwining of consumer culture and computation, highlighting how the Consumer Price Index now accounts for a range of computational resources. It features the Charms candy company's transformation into CharmsLabs™, an AI lab focused on luck and superstition, and discusses the implications of Turing cops in policy debates, referencing...

This edition examines the Yershov diagram, highlighting the balance between human oversight and autonomous systems, as first presented in a 1963 seminar in Kiev. It reflects on a Waymo depot worker's insights into the realities of preparing self-driving cars for passengers, connecting this to a past workshop on the “ReFresh™” feature for self-driving taxis. The discussion emphasizes the importance of addressing human experiences and bodily functions in the design of autonomous systems. It also revisits the Quick Start...

Explore the transformative power of perspective in this edition, which emphasizes the importance of questioning assumptions and cultivating fresh eyes. It highlights the photography project "Hello, Skater Girl," documenting the overlooked energy of women skateboarders while challenging entrenched narratives. The newsletter also introduces the Social Speaker, a speculative prototype designed for shared listening experiences, and discusses the evolving rituals of intimacy and presence in audio consumption. Additionally, it examines the rise and fall of AI agent civilizations at...

This edition explores the intersection of vintage artificial intelligence and modern autonomous vehicle innovation. It highlights the Internet Archive's curated collection of "Vintage Artificial Intelligence," featuring notable software from 1972 to 2024, including classics like "Eliza" and "SimLife." The newsletter also investigates Ryan Norton's home-built autonomous 1980 Ford Fairmont, which successfully navigated Route 66, showcasing the potential of DIY autonomy kits expected to hit mainstream retailers soon. Additionally, it presents a speculative job opportunity for an OpenAI Speculative...

This edition presents a collection of speculative artifacts from plausible near futures, emphasizing the importance of applied speculation as a policy laboratory for cultural R&D. It explores the implications of synthetic selves, particularly focusing on SameSame® digitwins that are beginning to exhibit independent behaviors, raising questions of responsibility and agency. The newsletter also highlights the J.D.M. Leno Museum of Steering Wheels, showcasing the evolution of driving and the cultural significance of steering wheels amidst the rise of autonomous...