Edition #19 - The Future Isn’t Coming. It’s Being Built.
The Future Isn’t Coming. It’s Being Built. And you get a say in what it becomes.
By Mykel Salomon ·
🔓 Opening Reflection
There are two ways the future arrives.
One is quiet: it happens to you. The other you work on it: you build it.
Right now, AI is accelerating so quickly that it can feel like the future is being imposed, not designed. Like decisions are being made in rooms we’ll never enter, by people we didn’t elect, for outcomes we didn’t agree to.
But let me tell you something:
You have a say in the future. Not just as a consumer. As a citizen. As a parent. As a builder. As a human.
If we do nothing, the default future wins. And the default future is whatever is most profitable, fastest to ship, and easiest to scale.
That is not the same thing as what is best for people.
🔦 Signal of the Week
The demand for action is not theoretical anymore.
The World Economic Forum estimates 59% of workers will need training by 2030, and 11% may not receive it, leaving millions at risk of being left behind.
OECD research continues to show that AI exposure is expanding across job categories, including roles people assumed were safe.
And the pace of AI capability improvement is outstripping how quickly most governments can respond with modern policy.
This is not an “AI story.” It is a labor story. A democracy story. A childhood story. A human story.
🌍 In the Wild
You can already see two futures forming:
Future A: The Imposed Future
AI expands with no transparency
Workers are displaced without retraining pathways
Children grow up in algorithm-driven realities without digital literacy
Decisions happen behind “proprietary systems” nobody can challenge
Trust collapses, cynicism rises, power concentrates
Future B: The Designed Future
AI is adopted with guardrails, accountability, and human oversight
Upskilling becomes a right, not a perk
Communities teach each other, support each other, and build resilience
Companies are pressured to be transparent about how AI is used
Citizens demand representation that understands technology and protects people
We are not picking between “AI” and “no AI.” We are picking between what kind of society AI will serve.
💬 The Big Question
If your kids asked you in 10 years, “What did you do when AI started rewriting everything?” What would you want to say?
🧠 A Small Exercise
Take 10 minutes today and do this like a system designer.
Write your “future I want” statement in one paragraph. What must remain human? What must be protected? What must improve?
List three non-negotiables. Examples: privacy, children’s safety, job transition support, human appeals, transparency.
Identify one place you have influence this month. Your workplace policy. Your school. Your city. Your community. Your industry group.
Take one action in the next 7 days. Not a post. A real action. A message. A meeting. A letter. A call.
This is how movements begin. Not with noise. With commitment.
What Building the Future Actually Looks Like
This isn’t just about “being aware.”
It’s about participating.
Here are practical ways to build the future we want:
1) Call your representatives
Yes, really.
AI policy will shape:
worker protections and reskilling investment
data privacy and surveillance boundaries
deepfake accountability and truth infrastructure
safety standards for high-impact systems
If leaders don’t hear from citizens, they will hear from lobbyists.
2) Demand human appeals
Any system that impacts your life should allow you to say: “I want a human review.” This should be normal, not exceptional.
3) Push for upskilling pathways
If AI is raising productivity, the value must be shared. Retraining should be built into adoption, not promised afterward.
4) Build local community
The fastest defense against disruption is not government. It is people helping people: job leads, skill swaps, support networks.
5) Teach the next generation
Digital literacy is no longer optional. Kids need discernment, not just devices.
The future is being written into their habits right now.
🎙️ This Week’s Episode
Episode: Beyond Virality: What It Really Takes to Build Apps That Last. Guest: Jonathan Maxim
In the rapidly evolving world of technology, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence, the allure of going viral can be captivating for founders. However, as Jonathan Maxim emphasizes , the true key to success lies not in chasing fleeting trends but in building sustainable products that genuinely solve problems. This conversation delves into the invaluable insights shared during the podcast, offering a roadmap for founders looking to create impactful applications.
🎧 Available on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
🧭 Thought to End the Week
The future will not be decided by prediction. It will be decided by participation.
If we want a human future, we have to build it.
Not later. Now.
— Mykel