Help, Don’t distract

Oct 4, 2024

I've been thinking about the role of AI assistants in our lives, especially as we navigate this new era of artificial intelligence. When we interact with models like ChatGPT today, we often find ourselves providing the structure. These AI systems are great for open-ended conversations or brainstorming sessions—they're like a friendly ear, ready to listen and engage on any topic we bring up.

But in the context of work, this lack of inherent structure can be less than ideal. We don't just need an assistant to chat with; we need one that understands our goals, keeps us on track, and helps us avoid distractions. Imagine an AI that's constantly thinking about your objectives, nudging you back when you veer off course, and genuinely concerned about your progress. It's not just reactive but proactively working alongside you.

This marks a significant shift from the way we've been interacting with technology. Up until now, the notification paradigm has been largely passive. Applications alert us when something happens—an email arrives, a task is due, or a friend posts an update. Productivity apps like Duolingo might remind us to practice, but they're essentially prompting us to return and complete an action.

What if we flipped this model? Instead of merely notifying us, what if the AI could take actions on our behalf to move our goals forward? At Momentum, we're exploring this new paradigm. By understanding a person's goals, the AI can perform tasks to advance those objectives, sometimes even without explicit prompts.

Consider this: the AI finds relevant information related to your project, reaches out to colleagues to align on next steps, schedules meetings with key stakeholders, or drafts the first version of a document or codebase. It could even identify potential customers and initiate contact or generate insights to inform your decisions. All these actions contribute directly to your progress, and when the AI has made headway, it updates you: "Here's what we've accomplished."

This approach transforms the AI from a passive tool into an active collaborator. It has capabilities—it can execute tasks, gather data, and engage with others—all while being deeply connected to your goals. Because it understands both your high-level ambitions and the granular steps needed to achieve them, it can make meaningful contributions that keep you moving forward.

The abundance of AI agents being developed today can perform specific actions, but they often lack the context of your personal objectives and daily plans. They don't have that intimate connection with you. By integrating your goals into the AI's core understanding, we create a system where various agents work in concert towards your aspirations.

This shift changes the very nature of our interaction with technology. Instead of apps and services vying for our attention with notifications, the AI works behind the scenes, advancing our goals and alerting us when there's meaningful progress. It's a more harmonious relationship, reducing the cognitive load of managing tasks and allowing us to focus on what truly matters.

Imagine waking up to an AI assistant that says, "Good morning! I've coordinated with the design team to finalize the prototype, scheduled a meeting with marketing for tomorrow, and identified a new opportunity that aligns with our strategy." It's not just reminding you—it's actively participating in your success.

This evolution in AI interaction holds immense potential. It redefines productivity by making the AI an extension of ourselves, capable of handling tasks that would otherwise fragment our focus. By offloading these responsibilities, we can dedicate more energy to creative and strategic thinking.

At Momentum, we're committed to bringing this vision to life. We believe that by anchoring the AI in your personal goals and daily plans, we can unlock a new level of efficiency and satisfaction in both work and life. It's about creating a partnership where the AI doesn't just respond but anticipates and acts in alignment with your aspirations.

As we move forward, it's essential to consider the ethical implications, ensure privacy, and build trust in these systems. But the promise is clear: an AI that understands you deeply and works tirelessly on your behalf isn't just a tool—it's a collaborator that can help you achieve more than you ever thought possible.

The future of AI assistants isn't about more notifications or endless features; it's about meaningful actions that propel us toward our goals. By embracing this new paradigm, we're not just changing how we interact with technology—we're enhancing how we live and work.