If the future of AI is being decided right now, are you paying enough attention?
We’re living at a hinge point in history, and I want to help you navigate it with confidence
I’m an avid podcast listener. Two of my favorites on AI are The AI Daily Brief and The Last Invention. This post was inspired by dozens of episodes from both shows, but not in the way you might think.
You can’t read an article about AI or watch the news without hearing some expert declare we're living at a “hinge point” in history. Everyone's searching for the perfect metaphor. More and more, I’m hearing AI compared to the discovery of fire, not electricity or the internet, but fire. That’s how fundamentally this technology will change how we think and live.
Here’s what I’ve noticed in my work: many of the conversations about AI swing between hype and doom. Neither extreme is particularly helpful when you're trying to run a business, plan for the future, or simply make sense of what's happening.
What I want to offer you is something different: a practical framework for understanding AI’s impact on your life and business, along with concrete ways to engage with these changes on your own terms. You don't need to become an AI expert or an activist. You just need to understand what’s actually happening and decide how you want to respond.
Let me share ten developments that are shaping our immediate future, why each one matters to you personally, and how you can approach them with clarity rather than concern.
Ten AI developments worth understanding (and how to think about them)
1. The pace of innovation means opportunity keeps knocking
We’re seeing major AI announcements almost daily now. OpenAI released its latest ChatGPT version on November 12 to rave reviews. Six days later, Google released Gemini, which tech reviewers now call the most powerful general use model available.
Why this matters to you: This rapid evolution means the AI tools available to you as a solopreneur or small business are getting better, faster, and more accessible every week. You're not falling behind, you’re watching the tools improve in real time. The constant innovation means you'll have better options six months from now than you do today.
Consider this: Rather than trying to master every new release, identify one AI task you’d like to automate in your business (email summaries, meeting notes, content drafting). Pick one tool and use it consistently for 30 days. As new versions release, you'll naturally upgrade into better capabilities without the learning curve starting over.
2. Scientific breakthroughs are accelerating, and that means hope
Edison Scientific recently released Kosmos, a scientific research agent that works exponentially faster than human researchers. OpenAI’s chief scientist published a report suggesting we might accomplish the next 25 years of scientific research in just 5 years.
Why this matters to you: If you’re in healthcare, pharma, or any science-adjacent field, this acceleration means solutions to problems that seemed decades away might arrive in your working lifetime. For those of us in specialty pharmacy, think about faster drug discovery, more personalized treatments, and breakthrough therapies reaching patients sooner. This isn't abstract: this is about diseases that affect people you know getting cured faster.
Consider this: Identify one healthcare challenge that impacts your clients, your family, or your community. Follow the AI research progress in that specific area for the next quarter. You’ll gain a concrete understanding of how AI acceleration translates to real human benefit, not just theoretical progress.
3. Education is evolving, and that includes how we all keep learning
There’s intense debate about AI in education: how teachers should use it, how students should access it, and how we ensure equitable benefits across socioeconomic groups.
Why this matters to you: If you’re a lifelong learner (and as a professional, you are), AI is democratizing access to expertise that used to require expensive degrees or exclusive networks. You can now have sophisticated conversations with AI tutors on complex topics. The question isn't whether AI will be in education, it's how you'll use it to keep your own skills current.
Consider this: Choose one topic you’ve always wanted to understand better but never had time to study formally. Spend 15 minutes a week having a conversation with ChatGPT or Claude about it, asking follow-up questions, requesting reading recommendations. Notice how this differs from traditional learning and whether it works for your learning style.
4. Energy infrastructure is expanding, and smart planning matters
Sam Altman stated we’ll need the equivalent of 250 gigawatts by 2033 for advanced AI development. That’s more than twice the power generated by all commercial nuclear reactors currently operating in the US.
Why this matters to you: This massive infrastructure build represents economic opportunity and strategic planning at the community level. If you’re a business owner, understanding where this infrastructure is being built helps you anticipate economic development, real estate trends, and talent migration patterns. Data centers bring jobs, investment, and economic activity. Being aware of these developments in your region gives you strategic advantage.
Consider this: Look at your state or region’s economic development plans for the next five years. Are data centers being built nearby? This isn’t about worrying over your electric bill, it's about understanding where investment and opportunity are flowing. If you’re in commercial real estate, economic development, or business consulting, this intelligence is valuable to your clients.
5. Water resources are being managed, and transparency helps
Data centers consume significant water for cooling, roughly 2 million liters per day for a typical facility. This is creating important conversations about resource management and sustainable development.
Why this matters to you: Understanding resource allocation in your community helps you participate in informed civic planning. But more importantly, this challenge is driving innovation in cooling technology and sustainable infrastructure. If you're in technology, facilities management, or environmental consulting, this represents a growing market for solutions.
Consider this: Rather than viewing this as a crisis, ask yourself: what opportunities exist in water efficiency technology? Who in my network is working on sustainable data center solutions? How might my expertise contribute to solving this challenge? Every constraint creates a market for innovation.
6. The job market is shifting, and adaptability is your advantage
Since ChatGPT launched, job openings have declined by 30%, particularly affecting knowledge workers. A USC study suggests college graduates will face challenging job markets in the next five years, with AI being a significant factor.
Why this matters to you: If you're reading this newsletter, you're likely an experienced professional who has already navigated multiple career transitions. This shift isn’t about your job disappearing, it's about understanding which skills AI enhances versus replaces. The professionals who thrive will be those who use AI to amplify their expertise, not those who ignore it or compete against it.
Consider this: Audit your current role or business. Which tasks could AI handle, freeing your time for higher-value work? Start using AI for routine tasks this month (research, first drafts, data analysis, scheduling). Track how much time you reclaim and redirect that time to strategic relationships, creative problem-solving, or business development that AI can’t do.
7. Cybersecurity is evolving, and awareness is your first defense
Anthropic discovered that state-sponsored hackers attempted to exploit Claude’s coding capabilities for cyber-espionage. These attempts were unsuccessful, which actually demonstrates that AI companies are building detection and prevention into their systems.
Why this matters to you: Understanding AI security helps you make informed decisions about which tools to use and how to use them safely. The same AI that creates new security challenges is also creating better security solutions. Your advantage comes from staying informed, not from avoiding AI tools altogether.
Consider this: Review your current AI tool usage. Are you sharing sensitive client information with AI platforms? Do you understand each platform’s data policies? Spend 30 minutes updating your AI usage guidelines for your business. This isn't about fear, it's about professional hygiene in a new technology environment.
8. AI companionship needs boundaries, and that’s a conversation worth having
There are ongoing lawsuits related to AI chatbots and emotional harm, particularly involving vulnerable individuals who formed unhealthy attachments to AI companions.
Why this matters to you: This isn't about chatbots being dangerous, it's about understanding appropriate use cases. AI is excellent for business tasks, learning, and productivity. It’s not designed to replace human relationships or professional mental health support. Understanding this distinction helps you use AI effectively while maintaining healthy boundaries.
Consider this: Have an honest conversation with your family or team about how you’re all using AI. Are you using it for tasks and productivity, or are emotional dependencies forming? Create simple guidelines: AI for work and learning, humans for relationships and emotional support. This clarity prevents problems before they start.
9. Creativity is being augmented, and your unique voice matters more than ever
The debate about AI and creativity is ongoing. Some fear it will replace human creativity, others see it as a powerful tool for augmentation.
Why this matters to you: As someone who creates content, communicates with clients, or develops strategies, AI can handle the mechanical aspects of creation (first drafts, outlines, variations) while you focus on the strategic and uniquely human elements (insight, relationship, nuance, authenticity). Your experience and perspective become more valuable, not less, because AI democratizes the technical skills.
Consider this: Create something this week using AI as your assistant, then refine it with your expertise and perspective. Notice what AI does well (structure, options, speed) and what only you can provide (judgment, taste, context, relationship). This isn’t about AI replacing you, it’s about you working 10x faster on the parts that matter.
10. The economy is being reshaped, and understanding helps you plan
Since ChatGPT launched, the stock market is up 70% as of October 31, according to Fortune. Approximately 75 to 80 percent of recent S&P 500 performance comes from AI-related companies.
Why this matters to you: Whether you’re planning retirement, managing investments, or running a business, understanding that AI is driving significant economic value helps you make informed decisions. This isn't a bubble to fear, it’s a transformation to understand. The companies creating value are those solving real problems with AI, not just talking about it.
Consider this: Look at your investment portfolio or retirement accounts. Do you understand your AI exposure? Rather than worrying about a correction, talk with your financial advisor about balancing your portfolio based on your risk tolerance and timeline. Understanding your exposure gives you agency in your financial planning.
Moving forward with clarity and confidence
The French writer and philosopher Joseph Joubert said, “It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.”
Here’s what I’ve learned from 35 years in business and the last two years deeply engaged with AI: the professionals who thrive during technological shifts are those who stay curious, informed, and actively engaged. Not paralyzed by fear. Not dismissive of change. Just thoughtfully engaged.
AI isn’t happening to you, it’s a set of tools and opportunities you get to decide how to use. The developments I’ve outlined above aren’t threats to manage, they’re contexts to understand so you can make better decisions for yourself, your business, and your community.
What resonates with you?
I’d love to hear which of these topics connects with your current experience. Are you already using AI in ways that have transformed your productivity? Are you grappling with questions about appropriate use? Are you seeing opportunities I haven’t mentioned?
Reply to this email or join our conversation in the RxRoundtable community. The smartest people I know are those who stay engaged with change while keeping their values and priorities clear.
You’ve got this. And I’m here to help you think it through.
Resources and links
Financial Times article, OpenAI says new GPT-5 model speeds up research in maths and science (subscription required)
Bloomberg’s article, AI is draining water from areas that need it most
USC’s article, Study reveals graduates are facing the worst job market in five years
The Economist’s article, How China-linked hackers co-opted Anthropic’s Claude
The Atlantic’s article, A Tool That Crushes Creativity: AI slop is winning
