We all know @arjunbhuptani for his work in interop, but he’s also someone who’s been paying close attention to AI. I wanted to understand how someone who thinks so clearly about systems and incentives is thinking about AI: its impact on society, on crypto, on the way we live, and maybe even on the idea of being human. I learned a lot from this one. My takeaways: 1. Your competition isn’t AI, it’s AI-augemented humans. TLDR: don’t be lazy and play with the AI tools. 2. Crypto isn’t just for speculation, it might just be the ultimate safety layer to ensure AI is used for good things: > blockchains can create fundamentally uncheatable rules > zero-knowledge proofs can verify truth > decentralized systems can prevent a single entity from controlling the most powerful technology ever created 3. With AI, intelligence is now abundant and perhaps a commodity. Leg into things that make you a better human: taste, intuition, charisma, empathy, and genuine creativity. You can’t prompt those into existence. 4. There’s no “playbook” for life or a set linear path to progress. The “go to school, get a degree, climb a career ladder” model is out, the “first principles thinking, ability to learn, and figuring out how to solve problems” mental model is the only way to build leverage in life. I hope you enjoy the episode. Key timestamps: 00:00 – AI: Excitement vs. Fear 02:38 – AI's Impact on Jobs and Society 08:36 – What Makes Someone Intelligent in an AI World? 11:11 – Human's Defense Against AI: Taste, Intuition & Empathy 14:00 – Using AI as a Tool to Enhance Productivity 17:00 – The Future of Work: Leaner Teams? 23:30 – Education and Learning in the Age of AI 29:07 – How to Navigate Life with AI: Advice for the Young 32:42 – AI's Impact on Financial Markets & Money Games 37:51 – AI x Crypto: Opportunities and Challenges 47:23 – How Crypto Can Help AI Succeed 01:01:30 – Why People in Crypto Should Spend Less Time on Twitter