I’ve been in the tech game for a while now. I’ve seen bubbles burst and titans rise. I’ve had two exits, RemoteTeam to Gusto and MovieLaLa to Gfycat, and I’ve written checks for over 200 startups, including some names you might recognize like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Scale AI. You’d think after all that, not much would surprise me. But what’s happening in AI right now? It’s a different beast entirely.
Forget the endless stream of headlines about chatbots writing poems. That’s interesting, sure, but it’s not the whole story. The real revolution, the one that’s going to fundamentally reshape our world, is happening in the physical realm. I’m talking about AI that can move, interact, and manipulate the world around us. I’m talking about robotics.
The Physical World is the Next Frontier
For the longest time, AI has been trapped behind a screen. It could analyze data, generate text, and even create images, but it couldn’t do anything. That’s all changing. The convergence of sophisticated AI with advanced robotics is creating a new class of machines that are not just smart, but also physically capable.
Think about it. We’ve had robots for decades, mostly in factories, bolted to the floor, performing the same repetitive task over and over. They’re powerful, but they’re dumb. They can’t adapt, they can’t learn, and they certainly can’t handle the chaos of the real world. But what happens when you give those robots a brain? A brain that can see, understand, and make decisions in real-time? That’s when things get interesting.
I remember visiting a lab a few years ago where they were working on a robot arm that could pick and place objects. It was painstakingly slow. The engineers had to manually program every single movement. It was a marvel of engineering, but it wasn’t scalable. Fast forward to today, and I’m seeing startups with robots that can learn to do the same task in a matter of hours, just by watching a human do it. That’s the power of AI.
Humanoid Robots: More Than Just a Sci-Fi Dream
When most people think of humanoid robots, they think of science fiction movies. They think of C-3PO or the Terminator. But the reality is that humanoid robots are coming, and they’re going to be a lot more practical than their cinematic counterparts.
Why the humanoid form? Because the world is designed for humans. Our homes, our offices, our factories – they’re all built for bipedal creatures with two arms and opposable thumbs. A robot that can navigate and interact with that world is infinitely more useful than one that’s confined to a specific task or environment.
Take Tesla’s Optimus, for example. A lot of people dismissed it as a publicity stunt when it was first announced. But I see it as a serious play for the future of labor. Imagine a world where you can have a robot that can do anything a human can do, from stocking shelves in a warehouse to performing basic maintenance tasks in a factory. The economic implications are staggering.
Of course, we’re not there yet. There are still huge challenges to overcome in terms of dexterity, battery life, and cost. But the progress I’m seeing is happening at an exponential rate. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see humanoid robots in our homes and workplaces within the next decade.
Drones: The Eyes in the Sky Get a Brain
It’s not just about robots on the ground. The same AI revolution is happening in the air. Drones are no longer just remote-controlled toys. They’re becoming autonomous agents that can perform a wide range of tasks, from inspecting infrastructure to delivering packages.
I recently invested in a company that’s using AI-powered drones to inspect wind turbines. In the past, this was a dangerous and time-consuming job that required a team of technicians to rappel down the blades. Now, a single drone can do the same job in a fraction of the time, and with much greater accuracy. It can identify cracks and defects that are invisible to the human eye, and it can do it all without putting a single person at risk.
This is just one example. We’re seeing similar applications in agriculture, construction, and public safety. Drones are becoming the eyes in the sky, and with AI, they’re getting a brain to go with it.
The Road Ahead
I’m not going to pretend that this transition is going to be easy. There are going to be challenges, both technical and societal. We’re going to have to grapple with questions about job displacement, safety, and ethics. But I’m an optimist at heart. I believe that the benefits of physical AI will far outweigh the costs.
We’re on the cusp of a new era, an era where the digital and physical worlds are no longer separate. An era where AI is not just a tool, but a partner. A partner that can help us solve some of the world’s most pressing problems, from climate change to an aging population.
It’s a future that’s full of possibilities, and to be honest, it’s a future that surprises even me. And I, for one, can’t wait to see what’s next.
The Unseen Revolution: Beyond the Factory Floor
When I talk about physical AI, I’m not just talking about giant, industrial robots. The revolution is happening in more subtle ways, too. It’s in the semi-autonomous driving features in your car, the smart thermostat that learns your preferences, and the delivery drone that drops a package at your doorstep. These are all examples of AI making its way into the physical world, and they’re just the beginning.
I remember the early days of the internet. People were skeptical. They didn’t see how it would change their lives. But then came the killer apps – email, the web browser, e-commerce – and suddenly, the internet was everywhere. We’re at a similar point with physical AI. We’re still waiting for the killer apps, but they’re coming. And when they do, they’re going to change everything.
One area I’m particularly excited about is healthcare. Imagine a world where you have a personal robot that can help you with your daily tasks, monitor your health, and even provide companionship. For an aging population, this could be transformative. It could allow people to live independently for longer, and it could provide much-needed support for caregivers.
The Battle of the Humanoids: A Race to the Top
The race to build a truly capable humanoid robot is on, and it’s one of the most exciting stories in tech right now. On one side, you have companies like Boston Dynamics, with their incredibly agile and dynamic robots. They’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in terms of mobility and dexterity. On the other side, you have companies like Tesla, with their focus on scalability and manufacturing. They’re trying to build a robot that can be mass-produced and deployed in a wide range of environments.
Who will win? It’s too early to say. But I think the winning approach will be one that combines the best of both worlds. We need robots that are not only agile and capable, but also affordable and easy to deploy. It’s a tall order, but the companies that can solve this puzzle will be the ones that shape the future of robotics.
I’ve had the chance to meet with some of the teams working on these robots, and I’m blown away by their ingenuity and passion. They’re not just building machines; they’re building partners. Partners that can work alongside us, learn from us, and help us build a better world.
The View from Above: Drones as Data-Gathering Machines
The real power of AI-powered drones isn’t just in their ability to fly autonomously. It’s in their ability to gather and analyze vast amounts of data. With high-resolution cameras, LiDAR sensors, and other advanced payloads, drones can create detailed 3D maps of their surroundings, identify objects and patterns, and even detect changes over time.
This has huge implications for a wide range of industries. In agriculture, drones can be used to monitor crop health, identify areas that need water or fertilizer, and even predict yields. In construction, they can be used to track progress, inspect for defects, and ensure that projects are on schedule. And in disaster response, they can be used to assess damage, locate survivors, and deliver emergency supplies.
I recently saw a demo of a drone that could fly into a burning building and create a real-time 3D map of the interior. This is a huge advantage for firefighters. It allows them to see what’s happening inside the building before they go in, and it can help them to locate trapped victims and identify the safest entry and exit points.
Investing in the Future: Where I’m Placing My Bets
As an investor, I’m always looking for the next big thing. And right now, I’m convinced that physical AI is it. I’m putting my money where my mouth is, and I’m actively investing in startups that are building the future of robotics and autonomous systems.
What am I looking for? I’m looking for companies with a strong technical team, a clear vision, and a deep understanding of the market they’re trying to serve. I’m looking for companies that are solving real-world problems, and that have a plan to scale their solutions.
But most importantly, I’m looking for companies that are building a future that I want to live in. A future where technology is used to empower people, not to replace them. A future where AI is a force for good in the world.
The Human Element: Navigating the Ethical Maze
Of course, with great power comes great responsibility. As we build more capable and autonomous systems, we need to be mindful of the ethical implications. We need to ensure that these systems are safe, reliable, and fair. We need to think about the impact on jobs, and we need to have a plan to help workers transition to the new economy.
These are not easy questions, and there are no easy answers. But we need to have these conversations now, before it’s too late. We need to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders – engineers, ethicists, policymakers, and the public – to shape the future of AI in a way that benefits all of humanity.
I’m a technology optimist, but I’m also a realist. I know that there will be bumps in the road. But I’m confident that we can navigate these challenges if we work together. The future of AI is in our hands, and it’s up to us to build a future that we can all be proud of.
Frequently Asked Questions
How has this view evolved over time?
My thinking on most topics has changed significantly over the years. Early in my career, I held many conventional views that experience proved wrong. I try to update my beliefs when the evidence changes.
How can I apply this thinking to my own situation?
Start by identifying the core principle behind the opinion, not the specific example. Then ask yourself: does this principle apply to my context? If yes, test it in a small, low-risk way before going all in.
Do all experts agree with this view?
No, and that's fine. The best ideas in business are often contrarian. I share my perspective based on my experience and data, but I encourage you to seek out opposing viewpoints and form your own conclusions.
What experience informs this perspective?
This perspective comes from over a decade of building companies in Silicon Valley, two successful exits (RemoteTeam to Gusto, MovieLaLa to Gfycat), and investing in 200+ startups including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Scale AI. I write about what I've lived.