Mustafa Suleyman

In late January, 2025, Professor Alan Ross invited me to return to UC Berkeley. He wanted me to speak with his students about my journey through prison and tell them about the Prison Professors Charitable Corporation. Carole and I intended to drive from Orange County to the Bay area, and we agreed that it would be a great time to listen to a book together.

Carole had read that Bill Gates recommended The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman. She told me that The Coming Wave discusses the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it will influence our lives. Given that our retirement plan includes investments in companies that build AI infrastructure, as well as in cryptocurrency, I wanted to deepen my understanding of AI’s trajectory. We listened to The Coming Wave on Audible while driving to Northern California and again on our return trip.

I use AI every day in my work, and The Coming Wave helped me grasp how it will continue transforming our world and work life. AI already enhances my efficiency, and I am optimistic about the changes it will bring in the months and years ahead. Besides the benefits of AI, the author outlines significant challenges and risks associated with AI. Sometimes, I’m so optimistic that I tend to discount the risks. This book helped me understand those risks, and the more I understand, the better I can prepare.

What I Learned from Reading The Coming Wave

Mustafa Suleyman details the ways that AI is reshaping our economy, businesses, and society. AI will increase productivity, streamline processes, and make industries more efficient. Some key takeaways from the book include:

• AI’s Impact on Productivity and Efficiency: Suleyman describes AI as a force multiplier that enhances human capabilities. AI-powered tools can automate routine tasks, analyze massive datasets at lightning speed, and generate insights that were previously unattainable. Businesses can harness AI for customer service, logistics, medical diagnoses, and financial modeling, all while reducing costs and increasing accuracy. I use AI to assist with drafting documents, and also with editing documents, which saves several hours each day.
• AI’s Role in Business Innovation: AI will drive new business models and industries. From personalized AI assistants to autonomous systems, the economy will increasingly rely on intelligent technologies to optimize supply chains, improve healthcare, and revolutionize education. The companies that integrate AI effectively will have a significant competitive advantage.
• The Evolution of AI: Suleyman distinguishes between three levels of AI:
  • Narrow AI: This is the AI we use today—task-specific, highly effective within limited contexts, but lacking general reasoning ability.
  • Artificial General Intelligence (AGI): A theoretical stage where AI could match human cognitive abilities across all domains.
  • Artificial Capable Intelligence (ACI): This term, as Suleyman describes, is an intermediary stage between today’s AI and AGI. ACI refers to AI that is more adaptable and capable than current models but still falls short of full general intelligence. ACI could independently improve itself, increasing its potential impact on society and workforces.

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The Threats AI Poses and Why We Must Be Conscious

While AI presents extraordinary opportunities, Suleyman warns of its risks. Some of the key concerns he raises include:

• Job Displacement: AI-driven automation will replace many jobs, requiring large-scale workforce adaptation. The transition to an AI-driven economy could create economic inequalities if proactive measures aren’t taken.
  Misinformation and Manipulation: AI-generated content, deep fakes, and synthetic media pose risks to political stability and public trust. As AI tools become more advanced, misinformation will be harder to detect. I have seen some of those deep fakes on YouTube videos, where AI makes videos of influential leaders who offer free money to people who send crypto to specific cold-storage wallets. I know those videos to be fake, but others may not.
• Security Risks: AI can be weaponized, leading to cyber threats, autonomous warfare, and new forms of surveillance that challenge personal privacy and national security.
• Loss of Human Control: If AI systems become too complex or self-improving beyond human oversight, they could act in unpredictable or unintended ways.

Suleyman emphasizes the need for responsible AI governance. Governments, corporations, and researchers must collaborate to establish ethical frameworks and safeguards that prevent AI from being misused.

How The Coming Wave Will Contribute to My Pursuit of Excellence and Success

As an entrepreneur, investor, and advocate for personal development, The Coming Wave reaffirmed my commitment to continuous learning. AI will transform the world, much like the internet and cryptocurrency has changed the world. By staying informed, I can better position myself and my business to leverage AI’s benefits while mitigating its risks.

I intend to continue studying AI to maximize its advantages and prepare for its impact on industries, investments, and personal productivity. This knowledge will also help me guide others, including those in prison, to understand how AI can provide opportunities for self-improvement and economic mobility.

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