C_NCENTRATE - The 1000th issue

Focused on the emerging side of things; technologies, territories, tools, strategies and ideas. Written by TBD Group (intelligence products, advisory, and events).

Oct 06, 2024

Looking back, the last ten years can be summed up with one word: disruption. Social media and a global pandemic have significantly altered societal behaviours and business operations, while quantum computing’s leap from theory to near-practicality and the ethical quandaries raised by CRISPR and gene editing have shifted the paradigms of their respective fields. AI continued to mature, taking the spotlight amidst massive corporate interest, while the rollout of 5G networks and the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) facilitated a surge in connected devices and data flows. These technologies not only transformed industries but also provoked significant societal debates on privacy and ethics. The rise of tech monopolies under capitalism has intensified these disruptions, as market-driven forces often prioritise profits over privacy and ethical concerns. Regulatory frameworks like Europe’s GDPR were introduced as necessary checks to balance corporate interests with individual rights, highlighting the ongoing struggle between technological advancement and governance.

Disruptive potential remains scattered everywhere. Breakthroughs in energy storage and transmission technologies could revolutionise the global energy markets, potentially shifting the geopolitical landscape by reducing dependence on fossil fuels and altering global power dynamics. Quantum will have a huge impact on current cryptographic methods, but the fallout from this is unclear at best. Geopolitically, escalating tensions between major powers, such as the U.S. and China, could lead to a new technology standards and supply chains, creating parallel markets and influencing global tech development trajectories. Equally, nationalistic policies we’re seeing usually lead to increased protectionism, affecting how technologies are shared and integrated globally.

Looking forward, the next ten years may well be defined by the word: convergence. As we enter the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’, technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and synthetic biology become more entrenched, their convergence will continue to be shaped by capitalist dynamics. Ensuring accessibility to these technologies for different socioeconomic groups will be crucial, as will investment in upskilling and reskilling initiatives to prepare the workforce for rapid technological changes. The mental health and social impacts of increased automation must also be addressed, particularly as job displacement becomes a reality for many. As data becomes increasingly integrated and shared, the need for robust data security frameworks will grow, highlighting the importance of establishing global standards to safeguard privacy and ethical use. Beyond this, we’ll need to ensure that democracy itself is protected from the technocracy that’s clearly forming. The challenge for these technologies will be crafting a regulatory environment that keeps pace with innovation while curbing unchecked capitalist influence—ensuring advancements benefit society and promote global equity. Current legislation falls short, yet some argue that recent regulatory moves are overly restrictive, stifling innovation. The key will be finding, and respecting, the balance: allowing enough freedom for exploration without letting progress get tangled in excessive red tape.

Please share this issue wildly, and, as with the world, expect changes…

Thanks for your C_NCENTRATION.

Paul.

OPENAI PAINTS BIG PICTURE WITH $157B VALUATION AND CANVAS LAUNCH

In the same week that OpenAI was valued at a butt-clenching $157 billion (with a b) thanks to a $6.5 billion (with another b) funding round, the company also managed to squeak out ‘canvas’—a new workspace that ~~threatens~~ aims to transform how we work, while the valuation underscores their growing power in AI. OpenAI's new canvas interface for ChatGPT isn't just a fresh coat of paint; it's a reimagining of how people can interact with AI. Canvas adds a more tangible workspace to ChatGPT, one that goes beyond the single-column chat box we all know. Now, whether you’re drafting a detailed technical document, outlining a proposal, or experimenting with code, you’ve got a flexible workspace that adapts to your needs—integrating text, tables, and code in an all-in-one format. The goal? To make ChatGPT feel less like a conversation you have to scroll through endlessly, and more like a tool that fits into creative workflows, giving users space to think, iterate, and refine ideas.

Here’s a demo of canvas and a user working together to write a document:

Cute, right? The move signals OpenAI's pivot to positioning ChatGPT as a more serious productivity and coding assistant (hello regular people money), potentially taking on rivals like Notion, Google Docs, or even GitHub Copilot in terms of its utility. Hello, mini/temporary moat. The canvas interface lets users arrange information spatially—you can move, copy, and expand elements fluidly, mixing prose with Python, graphics with grids. It’s all in the service of making AI feel like a true collaborator, not just an assistant spitting out responses. Imagine working on a business strategy where text notes, bullet points, and code can all co-exist in one organised space rather than scattered across multiple apps.

The implications here are broad. For writers, this means turning drafts into living documents. For developers, it transforms how scripts, bugs, and explanations coexist, offering something like a coder’s whiteboard mixed with an integrated development environment. There’s a sense that this is OpenAI trying to go beyond hype and buzzwords—towards making AI truly useful, not just impressive. Others think they are all flash and no pan on the road to AGI. But, much like any major update, it will live or die by user uptake and adaptability. Early impressions are positive, but habits are hard to break—the traditional chat interface was simple, and simplicity sells.

What’s undeniable is the growing trend: AI tools aren’t just something you ‘talk to’ anymore, they’re evolving into interfaces you ‘work with.’ Canvas is a step towards more spatial, integrated, and iterative workflows, hinting at an AI future that’s about shared spaces, not just interactions.

SO WHAT?

The launch reshapes the role of ChatGPT from conversational assistant to project partner. Partner being the key word. By offering a space where text, data, and ideas come together more seamlessly, OpenAI is targeting professionals across disciplines—writers, coders, analysts. Canvas could ultimately make ChatGPT a much stickier, irreplaceable tool in everyday work, setting it apart from less adaptive competitors. However, for some users, the classic chat format might still feel more direct and less cumbersome for rapid Q&A-style tasks. Currently it’s only available for paying customers on the web (app updates are coming “soon”).

You might be thinking this all sounds a lot like Claude’s Artifacts and you’re right and wrong. Canvas and Claude Artifacts represent different aspects of AI-driven collaboration. Canvas enhances content development through a real-time, hands-on environment for writing and coding. Users collaborate directly with ChatGPT, refining text and code while receiving immediate suggestions, which suits those focused on interactive editing and iterative improvement. Claude Artifacts, in contrast, emphasises sophisticated conversational AI with a focus on language understanding and ethical interaction. It is tailored for in-depth discussions and content analysis, providing thoughtful responses designed for safe usage. Canvas excels at creative production, while Claude specialises in meaningful conversation and analysis.

The wider implication here? It’s not just about what AI can generate; it's about what kind of environments AI can facilitate—workspaces where creativity, analysis, and action converge. Adding the human back into - or rooting them - in the AI mix. For full analysis subscribe to ‘What Did OpenAI Do This Week?’.

__ DO __

Experiment. If you use ChatGPT for complex, iterative projects, this tool could transform how you collect and organise thoughts—whether that's in writing, design, or development. Test how it fits with your workflow and consider it an alternative to more static tools like Google Docs or VS Code for quick prototyping.

__ DON’T __

Blindly follow. Canvas is designed for those willing to embrace a spatial way of thinking. If you're used to the linear back-and-forth of classic chat, it might take time to get used to—but that learning curve could lead to a more structured, holistic working style. Equally it might not be right for you so stick with linear instructions (although this is the direction of flow with agents etc).

LAST WEEK’S RESULTS:
Q: How do you view the rapid integration of AI with AR technology like Meta’s new glasses?
42% Not much impact, 33% say interesting but niche.

An AI assistant went rogue and bricked a developer’s computer. /4 mins

Your toothpaste might be about to take swallowing nanomachines mainstream. /4 mins

Firmly in both terrifying and awesome camp, students hacked Meta Smart Glasses to with Pim Eyes and publicly available data, and promptly doxed a lot of people. /3 mins

When your musical tastes stagnate has a lot to do with when you were born. /5 mins

A mushroom learned to crawl after being given robot body. /4 mins

How to be a great panelist. /5 mins

The state of dating report 2024 is out from the Kinsey Institute. /35 mins

Are we in a subprime AI crisis? /41 mins

A man has received six months in prison for cloning giant sheep and breeding it. /9 mins

Your digital self is splitting: emerging tech lets you craft multiple ‘spheres of identity’—one for every part of your life. /38 mins

The new luxury pyramid. /3 mins

C_NCENTRATE is part of TBD Group.

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