This chapter explores how new technologies, particularly generative AI, are transforming creative expression and innovation, while reflecting on historical instances of technological suppression. It emphasizes the importance of cognitive diversity and the potential risks and benefits associated with geopolitical control over information. The discussion encourages embracing uncertainty and advocating for data ownership, aiming to foster a more sustainable ecosystem for creators and consumers.
As a proud owner of the exceedingly rare “two-digit” designation on CompuServe (the internet’s precursor), I’ve always been an early adopter of new tech.
I was, therefore, particularly excited to speak to Bilawal Sidhu, a one-man corporation whose prolific output outpaces many creators put together.
Since he was 11, Bilawal has been passionate about using cutting-edge tech to create videos that unite reality with his imagination.
He made his bones as a product manager at Google, but after his short-form videos generated millions of views on social media, he decided to go all-in on his creative projects, including this video showing ‘shadow aliens’ invading Miami Mall, which racked up 11M views in 24 hours (!) on TikTok.
Bilawal is also an adept rune-reader in the tech industry — his Creative Digest newsletter and YouTube channel offer insights and analysis on tech and market developments, while his TEDAI podcast broke the recent Helen Toner x OpenAI story.
If you’re a creator curious about the opportunities presented by cutting-edge tech, you’re gonna love this episode.
For the full transcript and bucketloads of other stuff designed to make you go, “Hmm, that’s interesting!” check out our Substack.
Important Links:
Show Notes:
- Aliens at the Miami Mall & the deep fake arms race
- How to unite reality with imagination
- The three waves of content democratization & the incoming content tsunami
- Artisan vs organic content
- Creation by proxy
- Climbing up the adoption curve
- Bilawal’s idea-to-execution creation process
- Remix culture & co-creation
- Competing visions of an AI-infused feature
- Finding an economic model that benefits indie creators
- Sovereign AI & being long human creativity
- Bilawal as Emperor of the World
- MORE!
Books Mentioned:
- The Fifth Science; by Exurb1a
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy; by Douglas Adams
- The God Problem: How a Godless Cosmos Creates; by Howard Bloom
- The Ultimate Resource; by Julian L. Simon