As an early-stage investor, I often ask myself a profound question: While pursuing returns, am I investing in a future that aligns with the world I envision? Does it meet humanity’s and society’s expectations?
Every day, I listen to proposals from top entrepreneurs worldwide, imagine innovative possibilities with them, and decide whether to invest capital to turn those ideas into reality. These decisions shape our future. Therefore, each investment is not just about seeking financial returns but also about envisioning the future lifestyle.
In the age where artificial intelligence (AI) has become mainstream in investments, balancing the pursuit of efficiency with the fear of human obsolescence, I find this question even more crucial.
Recently, the rise of companion AI has caught my attention. Many entrepreneurs passionately demonstrate how these companion AIs simulate human interactions, offering conversations, guidance, or emotional support, becoming people’s “virtual friends.”
From a business perspective, I see the potential of companion AI; it meets certain needs and has scalability and profitability. However, I cannot ignore the potential impacts of this technology.
Technology should assist humanity, not replace it. Companion AI has valuable applications, such as providing solace to the elderly, helping children practice social skills, or offering psychological support. But we must also be mindful of its other possible impacts.
Imagine if everyone’s primary interaction is with a companion AI that always caters to their preferences—will we forget how to handle complex human emotions? For growing children, if their primary emotional connection comes from a cold algorithm rather than family or peers, how will it affect their development? Moreover, these changes don’t just affect individuals but could ripple through society, impacting entire generations.
Faced with such impactful AI technology, we as investors must consider our “responsibility for the future.” What values do we want to support? What kind of tomorrow do we want to create? Sometimes, I share this question with entrepreneurs, guiding them to ponder whether they wish for themselves or the next generation to live in such a world.
Influencing the future through investment is not just an investor’s capability but a responsibility. Although our choices may not always be perfect, and there’s no right answer to this question, we must always remember this responsibility to stay true to the original intent of investment and technological progress—to create a better future!
