Commuting To The Future: Navigating the Gap Between AI Hype, Doom, and Reality

The conversation around AI has become a disorienting mix of breathless hype, existential doom predictions, and widespread misinformation—making it nearly impossible to understand where we truly stand. As someone who regularly 'commutes' between cutting-edge AI research and mainstream implementation, I've observed how the traditional tech adoption cycle has collapsed with AI, creating parallel realities of understanding. This talk cuts through the noise to provide clarity on what's actually happening, what's genuinely transformative versus incremental, and how to develop your own accurate mental model of AI capabilities. Whether you're confused by contradictory AI narratives or simply trying to make informed decisions about adoption and investment, this session offers a grounded perspective from someone who witnesses both the bleeding edge and everyday reality of AI.

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