Niche Problems, Smart Solutions: AI for Health

Disclaimer: The content in this article reflects my personal experiences and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. I am not a medical professional. The AI tools discussed are used for general wellness, lifestyle optimization, and non-emergency comfort measures—not for diagnosing, treating, or preventing medical conditions. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or before making changes to your health regimen.

Fuck! Ow! Fuck! Fuck! Ow! Fucking ow! Fuck! 

There I was in the economy window seat on a short flight to Greenville, South Carolina for a week of work there, and I was in excruciating pain. 

I wasn't sick. It wasn't my ears. I was having a Charley horse for the record books. My hamstring was contracting, and with minimal space to stretch my leg out, I could not find a position to ease the pain. I tried pushing it into the small space below the seat in front of me. I tried pulling it back. Fuck! That was worse. I flexed my foot, I pointed my toes, no relief. I tried massage it with my hands. I wriggled in my seat in such discomfort I'm surprised I didn't jab the person next to me with my elbow. 

This went on for what felt like an hour, but was probably a total of 20 minutes, which is still quite a long time. It wasn't just one of my legs either. As soon as one stopped, the other started, and I'd go through the same fruitless efforts of trying to straighten, trying to pull it back, trying to stretch my foot out, trying to massage. 

It was my own doing, I realized. I had planned this flight as late in the day as I could while still getting in before a decent bedtime in order to allow as much time as I could for dance classes in the morning. The weekend had been full of social dances at night with a greater attendance than normal as out-of-towners traveled for the event, and hard-hitting dance classes during the day. 

That morning I had started off with a solo Charleston class which both challenged my muscle memory and blew my mind, as well as worked up a sweat. I had brought a change of shirt to prepare for the next class, which was a partner Charleston class, as a courtesy to my rotating partners. I had brought a full change of clothes to the airport, along with wipes and antiperspirant to freshen up after the classes. 

I had not stretched or put my feet up sufficiently. After a weekend of moving and straining my muscles, culminating in those Charleston classes which involve some of the most leg movements, I had boarded a plane and attempted to sit still while I rehydrated and ate protein-packed snacks. I had thought of everything, or so I thought. 

And then my glutes started cramping. Mother fucker! Ow! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Ow! 

AI to the Rescue

With nowhere really to go and not knowing what I would do even if I did get up, I grabbed my phone and opened it to my AI chatbot of choice - Gemini. I switched it into my ongoing conversation generically called, "Health" and explained the situation, asking it what I could do while sitting here on the plane. It commended my choice of snacks and gave me specific instructions for stretching and relieving the immediate pain. I then inquired what I should plan to eat and what I could do at the hotel.

This is one of a few ways I used AI chatbots for my health: for innocuous, non-emergency conditions like soreness. While general remedies for soreness can simply be googled, I prefer to use the chatbot because it (usually) remembers my likes, and more importantly, dislikes, of certain foods, and can tailor its recommendations based on my history of general ailments and my lifestyle. I am trying to incorporate occasional tea into my life, and so I've used Gemini to explore the various benefits of different tea varieties to figure out which ones I want to drink. I'll also sometimes take a snapshot of a menu at a restaurant when I'm traveling for work to get recommendations for the best options based on my health-related concerns at the time (e.g. muscle recovery versus watching inflammation). 

Fix Your Face

A similar example was when I was getting frustrated with dark circles and bags under my eyes. I snapped well-lit selfies with multiple views - smiling, not smiling, looking in different directions - and shared that with Gemini and consulted it for recommendations. It wasn't just sleep that was an issue, it was inflammation from sodium, according to the chatbot. We reviewed my general diet and it gave me low-sodium recommendations to reduce to inflammation, as well as methods to help drain the fluids over time. I also used it to investigate potential skincare creams I could use, given my skin sensitivity and desire to keep my routine very easy and minimal. 

Again, innocuous, non-emergency type things that googling would only give generic advice while AI can pull in context of the selfies and provide reassurance and helpful tips that also pass the human litmus test of being healthy recommendations. Once we had a solid plan in place, it suggested I check back in after a week with updated selfies, but since the chatbot doesn't have a reminder mechanism, I had to set a reminder in my to do app, Tick-Tick. When I uploaded new selfies, Gemini confirmed the great progress I already had started to notice, but it actually provided deeper insights and specifics that I hadn't really clocked. Now, I regularly check in with selfies and context of recent travel, dancing, hydration diligence, etc., and it continues to provide recommendations that seem to help. 

Not only have my selfies improved. I have made a habit of noting my blood pressure readings whenever I visit various doctor's offices for regular appointments, and I've tracked a dramatic decrease in my readings into much healthier ranges. Whenever I get a new reading, I share this with Gemini and it puts into context for me the success based on what it knows I've been doing to improve my healthy lifestyle. This data-driven result, combined with contextual feedback from AI, creates a tangible intrinsic reward that builds momentum and motivation in my busy life.

The Urge to Find a Solution

A couple years ago, a weird phenomenon started happening. I don't drink alcohol every day or anywhere close to that, but occasionally I enjoy tasting local craft beer from wherever I happened to have traveled, or having a glass of wine or a cocktail with friends. 

Within seconds, and I mean truly, seconds - no more than half a minute - of the alcohol of choice hitting my lips, I'd have a sudden, intense urge to urinate. It was so strong it would be a little painful, and it seemed to come out of nowhere. This wasn't a breaking-the-seal feeling resulting from having many drinks without going to the bathroom. This was an immediate, inexplicable feeling like I was about to pee my pants if I didn't get to a toilet now. 

The first several times it happened to me, I'd bolt for the bathroom, only to find no relief. Nothing would come up, and the urge persisted. If you've ever had a UTI, it was a lot like this. I'd go to the bathroom two or three times in ten minutes without producing anything, feeling no relief from the urge to pee whatsoever. 

It was awful. But I found, after ten or fifteen minutes, the urge would pass. After learning this, the next few times it happened, I'd try to just sit still and wait it out. It was awful, but it would pass. 

While I don't live a perfectly healthy lifestyle by any means, and I have a lot of diagnosed conditions that make life a little harder in their own ways, I generally consider myself at least a bit health conscious. I try to drink water a lot, I don't drink a lot of soda or alcohol, and I dance and do other forms of physical activity pretty regularly. 

It didn't happen all the time, either. It seemed random, but happened with enough frequency that it started to weigh heavily on my mind. This 10 or 15 minute discomfort that was clearly tied to all forms of alcohol, at least as far as I could tell, created a pretty massive disinterest in drinking. Not the end of the world, to be fair. But it was frustrating because I did want to drink socially with friends and colleagues every so often. So I would have to weigh my willingness to risk putting myself through it or not. 

I googled it many times, and all I could find were results about alcohol being a diuretic and causing this after many drinks. None of the results mentioned anything related to the immediacy of the feeling for me. When I tried changing up my google search, it led to UTIs and other conditions that were more persistent, but I knew this was a very short-term symptom that passed much faster than UTIs from my (thankfully) limited experience. None of the results made sense or seemed to even get close to what I was experiencing. 

I thought about talking to my doctor the next time I went in. But it wasn't an emergency, and the obvious solution was just to not drink, so it didn't seem like an issue I needed to rush into the doctor to manage. I didn't drink for a long time, and people gave me looks but thankfully none of my social groups would apply pressure or judgment in that regard. So it wasn't a big deal, except to me. The times I wanted to drink but didn't want to deal with the consequences were irritating and puzzling. 

I shifted my google searching to talking about it with my chatbot. I explained the circumstances and the weirdness, and confirmed it wasn’t the obvious suspects - a ton of consumption or a UTI. I emphasized the immediacy of it, the fact that nothing happened if I went to the bathroom, and how it would pass and not reoccur again until literally days or weeks later when I drank again. It suggested it was a sort of bladder irritation that would occur when I was dehydrated. That explained why it didn't always happen - if I had properly hydrated during the day before drinking, it wouldn't hit the same way. 

Since ensuring proper hydration is never a bad recommendation for a reasonably healthy, able-bodied person, it was definitely worth testing the theory. So on days when I felt confident I had drunk enough water and then wanted to drink alcohol, I would allow myself to do. And if I didn't think I'd had enough water that day, I'd pass on the alcohol usually, although from time to time I went for the drink anyways. 

The results were crystal clear. When I felt properly hydrated and had alcohol, no issue at all, ever. When I risked the alcoholic drink despite knowing I probably hadn't had enough water that day, I felt the urge, and it would pass after 10 minutes. So I still opted out of alcohol pretty regularly when I traveled, with the knowledge that my poor hydration that day would likely lead to the annoying discomfort. I literally haven't had this issue that couldn't be explained by obvious lack of hydration discipline since then. 

This example, while a little embarrassing, is the perfect example for what AI is capable of. Instead of doing a keyword search, like google, the chatbots can apply context and perform deeper critical "thinking." And honestly, I am not sure if a doctor would have been able to help here. Since this is a passing feeling, not a disease, and it's not an emergency situation, doctors may have zero exposure and experience with treating this concern. It's such a niche issue, and probably doesn't have a test that could be run. Sure, we could rule out things like UTIs and maybe other diseases like liver disease or whatever, but could the doctor actually tell me the solution? Would they have prescribed something for incontinence or medication that provides a numbing quality to mute the feeling? If you know or have heard of anything like this, please put in the comments - I'm genuinely curious. 

Custom Workout Plans and Realistic Expectations

Since I have a varied personal schedule and hate routines, efforts towards losing weight and focusing on my health have to integrate easily into my life or they won't work. While I won't pretend I have it all figured out, I do regularly use my chatbot to give me short-term routines and suggestions that are palatable to me. I also lay out longer-term expectations using my real history data which can be uploaded to the chatbot. When evaluating a new product, I can throw screenshots in of the product claims and have it assess the validity of it, narrowing down my search to features and results that are most important to me. With the ongoing dialog being stored in its memory, it easily pulls in contextual information and proactively provides insights that are helpful and I might not have thought of. 

When I was working on my inflammation, I decided to spend an evening at World Springs, and was able to ask Gemini for a custom plan for which baths to soak in. It even encouraged me to try the cold plunge, despite my protests. I had heard about the benefits of cold plunging before and had made the excuse that it wasn't "for me." But after investigating the specific benefits it could potentially bring to me with Gemini, I relented. I initially went into a very painful shock state, but a random stranger coached me to keep breathing and to get all the way in the water, and tracked my time for me while I mentally could not function. Rushing to the hot tub afterward, I felt the reassuring pinpricks of sensation returning to my body. After about 15 minutes, I felt so rejuvenated—and I'm not sure how else to describe it—just so wholesomely healthier and more alive, I actually wanted to do it again. I couldn't have been more surprised by the results, and it finally made sense why people promote it. And I wouldn't have discovered it without the clear, personalized recommendations from Gemini urging me to consider it despite my heavy resistance. 

What Are We Losing

I want to talk a little bit about a few concerns, real and unwarranted, here. I believe it is always healthy to evaluate what it is we're losing that goes hand-in-hand with what we're gaining with new technologies. When cell phones first came out, we were worried about radio waves frying our brains with the close proximity to our heads. Now, despite many studies that suggest having a phone in close proximity to our beds disturbs our sleep, I'm willing to bet most of you still sleep with the phone next to your bed. I do too, so no judgement. I've considered trying a different alarm method so I can leave my phone in another room, but I haven't done it yet. It's a choice that we should actively test and be open to new data in either direction. 

Personal Data Security

First, you might be reading this and noting the things I've shared with my AI chatbot - my health history and statistics, real-time selfies, travel plans, my diet choices, and niche concerns - and thinking that this is a threat to the security of my personal data. What I'll say to this is, yeah, but "they" already have that. I'm giving my chatbot the data from my FitBit, which recently was acquired by Google anyways. I'm uploading selfies that are maybe more detailed, but not too different than pictures I post on facebook, or people post of me. My travel plans already exist in TripIt because that's my favorite app of choice for building my itineraries. Amazon knows what food I order. These may be somewhat disconnected data streams, but the data is out there. To me, the idea of protecting your personal data while engaging with these products and technologies is an illusion. The only way to truly protect your personal data is to disconnect from all devices and from the world. That is an option, and I won't shame that as a personal choice for people. But I would acknowledge that those people are missing out on the benefits of these technologies, and that's the tradeoff they pay for feeling secure. No judgment. For me, the "price" of readily sharing my data that already exists, to get the benefits of these custom recommendations easily, tips that actually help improve my life, is worth it. That's my choice. But pretending that you can live and operate in this world and reap all the benefits of these technologies without exposing your personal data to the companies and systems that could find it anyways is just kidding yourself. So while I won't judge anyone on their decision to share the information or not, I do assert that it is a conscious choice one way or the other. 

Critical Thinking Ability

Another example from the early cell phone days is that we all realized we no longer could remember the phone numbers of the people we called the most. While most of us remember our own phone number still, I literally couldn't recite more than the area code for a single person I contact regularly. Part of this might be that we now have to use 10 digits (in the US), whereas before cell phones, we primarily made local calls with 7 digits (in the US). I've had the same personal phone number since I went to college in Arizona, so naturally, my area code is one of Arizona, despite the fact that I haven't lived in Arizona since 2017. 

So what are we losing with AI chatbots in terms of our brain power? I'm sure time will tell and there will be many studies done, but even without data, I can definitely feel my willingness to create things manually waning. Looking up individual things through google search and go to the source website for a specific topic already feels too tedious and taxing when I have a quick solution. There is a newly created conflict I now have to weigh in my head, between the risk of AI hallucination and the benefits of validated, contextual insights. 

How do we combat this? I think it starts with acknowledging the real trade-off, and making choices. If I just want to explore ideas and am open to novel suggestions, like when I'm planning a personal vacation, I love treating AI as a partner in mapping out itineraries. To validate claims of products, I definitely like querying AI and sharing my specific concerns. But when tempted to create, I think we need to make choices about whether its important we create it ourselves, or if the end product is not significant enough to require the human touch. For example, I use AI to generate a lot of graphics to accommodate my blog posts. Since the writing is usually the important element, I'm okay with graphics that are imperfect - in fact, I really enjoy the imperfections to demonstrate the quirkiness of AI, and I will often use graphics unedited. Sometimes I use them to give me a framework of the graphic, and I edit them with my amateurish skills. 

But the blog is the important element, and I write those. Sometimes, when I'm having a hard time structing my thoughts, I'll use AI to generate an outline. I'll also use AI to check my work for clarity, to workshop specific sentences that could be phrased better, or to ensure I haven't left anything out when I have a lot of topics I want to make sure I cover. I'll use AI to generate professional disclaimers (like the one at the top of this post), and to ideate snazzy or punny headlines, although I often end up using a combination of its suggestions because AI struggles with human comedy still. Nevertheless, the work is mine. It's more than human-in-the-loop, it's further on the spectrum towards using AI as a collaborator, amending my human abilities rather than replacing them. 

So we need to be conscious of the choices of when to use AI and when to use our brains, to keep ourselves sharp. And ultimately, we need to use AI for what AI is good at - deep, contextual, niche searches and personalized recommendations, rather than trying to replace our humanity. And in terms of health, we aren't in a world (yet?) in which AI chatbots can diagnose real medical conditions. While they could provide a notional assessment of symptoms and things to talk to your doctor about, the risk of hallucination for something more medically serious is too great to not consult a doctor. 


And on that note, I need to get more water and stretch my still-tight muscles, because of course I went dancing again the last two nights. Cheers! 

Let's Do the MATH: Yang 2028

 "Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets."                                                 — W. Edwards Deming

If you look at our current political landscape and see chaos, division, and a complete inability to solve 21st-century problems, remember Deming’s words. Our system isn't "broken"—it’s performing exactly as it was designed to. It was built for a world of steam engines and the American Dream, not AGI and global competition and warfare.

If we want different results, we need to change the system. We need to move Forward. And that’s exactly why Andrew Yang needs to run for President in 2028, and why you should learn about him and his ideas, support him and vote for him. 

From Job Creator to Chief Futurist

Before he was the Presidential candidate with perhaps the most outrageous discrimination in the news outlets (more on that later), Andrew Yang was on the front lines of the American economy. Through his nonprofit, Venture for America, he spent years trying to spark entrepreneurship in cities like Detroit and Cleveland. But he saw a hard truth the data couldn't hide: you can’t "out-hustle" a robot.
He realized we aren't just in a rough patch; we are in the middle of the "Great Displacement." 

My journey into Yang's vision actually started with a bit of a "eureka" moment. I was deep into his second book, The War on Normal People, when it suddenly dawned on me: I had read this author before. Years earlier, I’d picked up a book called Smart People Should Build Things and loved its message about redirecting our country's best talent away from "paper-shuffling" on Wall Street and back into the real economy.

His library of authored books follows his journey from promoting entrepreneurship to promoting Universal Basic Income (UBI) and then reflecting on the problems in our political system that he witnessed first-hand:

Smart People Should Build Things (2014): The book that started it all. Yang argues that our country’s talent is being misallocated and that we need to reconnect our "human capital" with the actual building of businesses and solutions in the real world.

The War on Normal People (2018): The foundational text. Yang explains how automation is hollowing out the middle class and why "normal" jobs—trucking, retail, administrative work—are in the crosshairs of progress.

Forward: Notes on the Future of Our Democracy (2021): This is the manual for the system reboot. He breaks down why the "duopoly" is incentivized to ignore us and how we can use Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) and Open Primaries to hack the system.

The Last Election (2023): A speculative thriller (co-written with Stephen Marche) about a constitutional collapse. It’s a sobering look at what happens if we don't update our political software.

Hey Yang, Where’s My Thousand Bucks? (2026): His newest release—a witty, candid memoir of his journey from "random man" to political pioneer. It’s the perfect mix of "protopian" hope and hard-earned political reality.

The "Longshot" That Could: Andrew Yang runs for President (2020)

Andrew Yang’s 2020 run is one of the most fascinating examples of "hacking" the political system. When he filed to run in 2017, he was a complete unknown, but he gained massive traction by bypassing traditional gatekeepers and speaking directly to the internet. His 2019 appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience was the spark, transforming him from a "fringe" candidate into the leader of the Yang Gang, a devoted, digital-native fanbase.

The Invisible Candidate: The Media Blackout

Despite his surging numbers and fundraising prowess, Yang faced a staggering "media blackout" that became a rallying cry for his supporters. Major networks like CNN and MSNBC frequently omitted him from candidate graphics, even when he was polling significantly higher than the candidates they included. In one famous instance, a network displayed a list of top candidates and included someone polling at 1% while leaving out Yang, who was at 3%. 

During the debates, he consistently received the least speaking time; in the November 2019 debate, he wasn't even called on for the first 30 minutes. An analysis by Business Insider later confirmed that Yang had the highest "deficit" of any candidate between his polling strength and his actual media coverage, suggesting the "perfectly designed system" was working overtime to keep his "different" ideas out of the mainstream conversation.

Beyond the media blackout, Andrew Yang’s 2020 run was plagued by a series of "glitches in the matrix" that felt less like bad luck and more like a system actively rejecting a foreign object. For an optimistic futurist, these are the ultimate examples of why the "plumbing" of our democracy needs a total overhaul.

The "Muted Mic" Incident

One of the most viral and frustrating moments of the 2020 primary occurred during the very first Democratic debate. Supporters noticed that while Yang was on stage, he was barely speaking. It wasn't just a lack of aggression; Yang later claimed that his microphone was actually turned off when he wasn't being directly addressed. While NBC denied any intentional technical issues, video clips circulated showing Yang trying to interject while his mouth moved but no sound came out. For a candidate who had fought so hard just to get on that stage, having his literal voice silenced was a massive blow to his momentum.

The Iowa Caucus "Coding Error"

If every system is designed for its output, the 2020 Iowa Caucus was designed for chaos. Yang had spent a massive amount of his campaign’s "human capital" on the ground in Iowa, hoping for a surprise breakout. Instead, the reporting app—built by a shadowy startup called Shadow Inc.—suffered a "coding error" that delayed results for days.
    • The Result: The "momentum" that candidates usually get from a strong showing in Iowa was completely neutralized. By the time the math was finally sorted out, the news cycle had already moved on to New Hampshire. For a "math-first" candidate, losing the ability to show his data-driven growth in real-time was a critical setback.

The "John Yang" and "Name Omissions"

The media blackout wasn't just about ignoring him; it was about the subtle ways they minimized his legitimacy.
    • The Wrong Name: At one point, NBC News displayed a graphic of Yang crowd-surfing but identified him as "John Yang." * The "Erasure" Graphics: On at least a dozen occasions, CNN and MSNBC aired graphics showing the "Top 6" or "Top 10" candidates. They would frequently include candidates polling at 1% while leaving Yang out, even when he was polling at 3% or 4%.

The Ohio "Bureaucratic Loophole"

Perhaps the most "systemic" surprise came from Ohio. Despite his supporters gathering three times the required signatures to get him on the ballot, he was disqualified due to an "awkwardly-worded law" regarding a technical paperwork issue (he didn't include a specific statement of candidacy on the signature headers). While other candidates had their paperwork accepted despite similar minor errors, the state's Secretary of State initially denied his access, forcing his team into a legal battle just to be an option for voters.

The AI Imperative

In 2020, Yang was often dismissed as a "doom-and-gloom" tech guy as he prophesied the AI-powered technological unemployment that could challenge work as we know it in ways that are fundamentally different than technological upheavals of the past. Now, with the explosion of generative AI and automation since 2023, his core warnings are no longer theoretical—they are daily headlines. This gives him "I told you so" credibility that few other politicians possess. 

With Generative AI disrupting everything from coding to Hollywood, the "work-to-survive" model is hitting a wall. The tech founders and gurus closest to the technologies are the ones who are speaking out the most about its dangers. For me personally, the more I learn and see the power of it, the more I convinced I am that these concerns are legitimate as well. It is not just a buzzword, it is powerful, which can be great for some, and devastating for many. 

Yang’s view is that technological unemployment is a success we weren't prepared for. UBI is the bridge that lets us transition to a future where we work because we want to, not because we’ll starve otherwise.

The Freedom Dividend: A Floor to Stand On

Yang’s core solution—Universal Basic Income (UBI)—is the ultimate system upgrade. By giving every American adult $1,000 a month, we provide a "Freedom Dividend" that recognizes our value as shareholders in the richest nation in history. Now, before you gawk at the incredulity of such a proposal and the math of how to support it, let me assure you, he lays this out in great detail in The War on Normal People in a logical way. Also, it’s not a radical new idea; it’s a classic one that almost made it:

The Proponents: From Thomas Paine to Martin Luther King Jr., thinkers have argued that a floor under every citizen is the only way to ensure true liberty.

The Nixon Near-Miss: In the early 1970s, Richard Nixon’s Family Assistance Plan passed the House twice. We were this close to having a basic income floor decades ago before it got caught in the gears of partisan Senate politics.

Since Yang's first run at the office, UBI has moved from a fringe idea to a mainstream debate. Dozens of cities across the U.S. have run guaranteed basic income pilots with positive data, making his signature policy feel much more "vetted" than it did eight years ago.

Interestingly, the terminology is shifting. You’ll often hear it called "Guaranteed Basic Income" (GBI) now rather than UBI. The distinction is that these city programs are usually "targeted" (given only to low-income residents) rather than "universal" (given to everyone regardless of wealth).

Major Cities & Recent Trials

While dozens of cities have dipped their toes in, a few major programs stand out for their scale and recent findings:

Cook County & Chicago, IL: This remains one of the largest and most significant programs. Following a massive $42 million pilot that gave $500 a month to over 3,000 residents from 2022 – Jan 2025, Cook County recently became the first in the nation to establish permanent funding for guaranteed income. The success here was measured in "prevention." By providing $500 a month to 3,250 households, the county argued it prevented thousands of evictions. Public safety experts noted that housing stability is one of the strongest predictors of lower neighborhood crime.

Austin, TX: Their pilot specifically looked at housing stability in gentrifying neighborhoods from 2022 – 2024. Results showed that participants spent over 50% of the cash on housing costs, significantly improving their housing security compared to low-income residents who didn't receive the funds. Researchers found that in the specific communities where the pilot was active, violent crime dropped by 44% during the experiment years. The logic was that the "floor" prevented the kind of high-stakes financial stress that leads to domestic violence and street-level robbery.

Denver, CO: A recent study of their program focused on the unhoused population, showing that the cash helped many move into stable housing and reduced emergency room visits. While Denver didn't report a massive drop in city-wide crime stats, they saw a 50% decrease in the use of emergency shelters and a doubling of people in stable housing. From a public safety perspective, this reduced the "public nuisance" calls and police interactions that often occur with unhoused populations. This squares with Yang's position that the concept essentially "pays for itself" through reduced public service costs, and provides real-world evidence. 

Boulder, CO & Compton, CA: These cities have focused on how frequency matters. Results from Compton suggested that getting smaller payments twice a month was more effective at reducing debt than getting a large lump sum once a quarter.

Many UBI trials across the country were heavily supported by federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Those federal dollars were designed as one-time "bridge" funding during the COVID-19 recovery. Once that money dried up in 2024 and 2025, the cities were forced to choose between using its own general funds (taxpayer dollars) or ending the programs. Without the federal safety net, the political will to keep the checks flowing evaporated.

While Austin was trying to keep its program alive, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was busy dismantling a similar program in Houston (Harris County). Paxton sued Harris County, arguing that "no-strings-attached" payments violate the Texas Constitution, which prohibits the "gratuitous" giving of public funds to individuals without a direct benefit to the state. The legal victory against Houston created a roadmap for state leaders to kill these programs. Austin’s leadership knew that even if they found the money, they would likely face a massive, expensive lawsuit from the state that they might not win.

This is exactly why Yang argues that UBI must be Federal. If it’s tied to the national VAT (Value Added Tax) and the federal budget, it can’t be picked apart by a local tax revolt or a state attorney general.

 

Introducing the Forward Party

Operating on the hypothesis that perhaps a Presidential bid was too big a start for someone who seemingly came out of nowhere, Andrew Yang set his sights on running for the mayor of New York City.  The irony of that race, as he’s mentioned on his blog and in interviews, is that many people who wanted to vote for his "protopian" vision couldn't because they weren't registered Democrats by the city's early deadline. That "math" is exactly why he now focuses so heavily on Open Primaries—he wants to make sure that the next time a candidate with big ideas runs, they aren't locked out by the "plumbing" of the system.

It was actually his experience in that race—specifically seeing how the closed primary system excluded many independent-minded voters—that served as a major catalyst for his decision to leave the party. He officially changed his registration to Independent in October 2021, shortly after the mayoral race ended, and launched the Forward Party immediately afterward.

The motto of the Forward Party (FWD) is "Not Left. Not Right. Forward." With the mission of "rebooting" American democracy from the ground up, they focus on the "plumbing" of democracy—Ranked-Choice Voting and Open Primaries—so that candidates like Yang can actually win without being "spoilers."  

As of early 2026, the party’s achievements have focused on building a "bottom-up" infrastructure rather than just top-ticket vanity runs:

    • Electoral Wins: The party has successfully elected several local officials and shifted representatives to their line. A major milestone occurred in Utah, where the party gained official status and currently holds a seat in the State Senate (via Sen. Emily Buss).

    • Ballot Access: Moving toward their goal of 50-state access by 2028, they have already secured official party status in several key states, including Colorado, Florida, Utah, and South Carolina, with active "Forward-Independence" affiliates in Minnesota.

    • Candidate Endorsements: In April 2026, the party unveiled its first slate of Congressional endorsements for the upcoming midterms, backing a mix of independents and reform-minded candidates who pledge to prioritize problem-solving over party loyalty.

    • Membership Growth: The party has built a massive digital footprint, claiming tens of thousands of members and a growing donor base that includes tech leaders and "disaffected" voters who represent the 36%–40% of Americans now identifying as Independent.
    
By focusing on local offices and the rules of the game, Forward is essentially "beta testing" a new version of American politics, preparing the terrain for a national breakthrough in the 2028 cycle.

 

The Path to the White House

The 2028 field is shaping up to be one of the most crowded and high-stakes races in decades, largely because both parties are facing a massive "identity crisis" regarding their future direction. If Yang ran again, he's not going to jump back into the Democratic popularity contest. He would run as an independent, and undoubtedly would proactively counteract those barriers he was surprised to uncover in his first Presidential run. 

To get him to the White House by 2028, we have to follow the math:

Yin and Yang: Two Ways to Win

To get Andrew Yang into the White House by 2028, the "math" doesn't require a traditional electoral strategy of getting to the clean 270-vote majority, which third-party candidates almost never win, his path could utilize a constitutional maneuver called a Contingent Election. Yang only needs enough electoral votes to ensure that neither the Republican nor the Democrat gets to 270. If he wins just a handful of states, the election is "thrown to the House."

Yang wouldn't just look at "Red vs. Blue." He would target states with three specific traits: Open Primaries, Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV), and High Tech/Independent Populations.

Here is the breakdown of the electoral map he would need to "hack" the system.

 

State	EVs	Why it's in the Yang Column
Alaska	3	Uses RCV. He is highly popular with their independent, "off-grid" voting base.
Maine	4	Uses RCV. New England voters have a history of supporting pragmatic independents.
Utah	6	A "Forward Party" stronghold. The tech-heavy "Silicon Slopes" prefer his "problem-solver" vibe over partisan firebrands.
Colorado	10	A "protopian" hub. His focus on sustainability and AI resonates with the Denver/Boulder tech corridor.
Minnesota	10	His self-declared "launch state." High levels of civic engagement and a history of third-party success (e.g., Jesse Ventura).
TOTAL	33	This is enough to prevent a 270 majority for either side.

The Contingent Election

If the map above happens, the 12th Amendment of the Constitution kicks in. This is the most likely way a third-party candidate like Yang wins.
    • The House Decides: The House of Representatives chooses the President from the top three finishers.
    • The "One State, One Vote" Rule: This is the wildcard. Instead of 435 individual votes, each state gets exactly one vote. California gets 1 vote; Wyoming gets 1 vote.
    • The Strategy: Yang would position himself as the "Unity Candidate." If the country is deadlocked and polarized, he would bet on 26 state delegations choosing him as the "safe" compromise to avoid a civil standoff between the two major parties.

The 270 "Purple Surge"

Securing 270 electoral votes is the steepest climb in American politics for anyone outside the two-party system. As an Independent candidate, Yang cannot rely on the "automatic" base of voters that a Democrat or Republican enjoys. Yang's path to 270 is built on the premise that a significant portion of the electorate (which is currently over 40% Independent in some states) is ready to abandon both major parties. He would need to build a coalition of "Pragmatic Independents," "Disaffected Democrats," and "Future-Focused Republicans." 

To hit the majority of the electoral college votes, Yang would have to execute a "Core-to-Coast" strategy, flipping the script on how modern campaigns are won. To reach the majority, he would have to win several "High-Independent" states and then break into the "Blue Wall" or "Sun Belt."

Phase 1: The Politically Forward(-thinking) Strongholds (55 EVs)
He starts with states where the rules or culture favor third parties:
    • Alaska (3) & Maine (4): These states use Ranked-Choice Voting, which eliminates the "spoiler" fear and allows him to win on second-choice votes.
    • Utah (6): One of the Forward Party's strongest hubs. Its tech-savvy, pragmatic culture is a natural fit for "Human-Centered Capitalism."
    • Minnesota (10): Yang’s self-declared launch state. It has a high registration rate (over 80%) and a history of independent-minded voters.
    • Arizona (11) & Nevada (6): These states have seen independent registration soar to over 33% by 2026.
    • New Mexico (5): Just this week, Yang officially launched the NM Forward Party in Santa Fe. The state has a strong "independent minor party" tradition and a voter base that is increasingly exhausted by the border/energy gridlock.
    • Maryland (10): As of 2026, the Maryland Forward Party is one of the most active in the nation, already running a slate of 8+ candidates for state and local offices. The high-tech corridor between D.C. and Baltimore is "prime Yang territory."
 

Phase 2: The "Protopian" Tech Hubs (161 EVs)
He must flip states that value his focus on AI, sustainability, and the "Future of Work":
    • Colorado (10), Washington (12), & Oregon (8): These states have strong "experimental living" and tech-centric populations.
    • California (54): This is the "Big Boss" of the map. As a tech entrepreneur, Yang would need to leverage Silicon Valley support to flip the largest prize in the union. Without California, the math for an independent nearly evaporates.
    • New York (28): His home base. He must flip the "Blue" establishment by winning over the massive 25% independent bloc.
    • Georgia (16) & North Carolina (16): Booming tech sectors in Atlanta and the Research Triangle (NC) align with his futurist brand.
    • Virginia (13) & New Hampshire (4): Yang can appeal here to the highly educated, "data-hungry" electorates, with his math and well-thought-out detailed policy ideas. 
 

Phase 3: The Displaced Rust Belt (61 EVs)
This is where he wins the election by speaking directly to workers losing ground to AI. He must convince the Rust Belt that UBI is the only solution to the AI-driven job losses they are seeing in 2026–2028:
    • Michigan (15), Pennsylvania (19), Ohio (17), & Wisconsin (10): These states are the front lines of the automation crisis. If he can prove his "I told you so" credibility here, he takes the presidency.

 

The Timeline

To be a serious contender, the "money machine" has to start early to combat the massive war chests of the two major parties.

Pre-Launch (Now – Late 2026): Yang is currently in the "infrastructure phase." He doesn't need to fundraise for himself yet, but he is raising money for the Forward Party to secure ballot access in all 50 states—a process that costs millions. 

The "Exploratory" Phase (Early 2027): This is when he would likely file a Statement of Candidacy with the FEC. Legally, once he raises or spends more than $5,000, he must register.

The "Goldilocks" Start Date: Historically, serious independent candidates need to start their primary fundraising by Spring/Summer 2027 to ensure they have enough capital to hire staff for the grueling petition drives required in late 2027.

Fall 2027: Yang hits the 15% polling threshold to force his way onto the debate stage. Once the country sees the "Math" again, the surge begins. 

Election Day (Nov 7, 2028): He must win at least 2–3 states to ensure no one hits 270. 

The Contingent Vote (Jan 6, 2029): This is the day the House would officially vote to make him President.

Main Party Candidates Getting On Board

It's worth mentioning that there is a "New Guard" taking inspiration from Yang. They aren't just copying his notes; they are taking his "protopian" theories and attempting to bake them into actual government policy at the state and federal levels.

By early 2026, these figures have moved past the "fringe" label and are positioning themselves as the "competent futurists" of the 2028 cycle. Here is the breakdown of the major players, their platforms, and their viability. 

 

Josh Shapiro (Governor, PA)

The Platform: Shapiro is the "Speed of Business" Democrat. While Yang talked about the coming automation crisis, Shapiro is trying to "capture" the AI boom to save Pennsylvania’s economy.

The "Shapiro Standard": He signed a nation-leading executive order for safe AI adoption in state government and partnered with OpenAI to pilot ChatGPT Enterprise for state employees.

The Move: He is currently pushing GRID (Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development), which aims to make PA a global hub for energy-hungry data centers—essential for the AI era—while trying to balance environmental pushback.

2028 Potential: High. He is consistently ranked as a top-tier moderate who can win over the "Displaced Rust Belt" you mentioned in Phase 3. He takes the "data-first" approach of Yang but adds the polish of a popular swing-state governor.
 

Wes Moore (Governor, MD)

The Platform: Moore’s brand is "Work, Wages, and Wealth." He has adopted a proactive stance on the "AI Economy" that mirrors Yang’s warnings about workforce displacement.

The Move: In early 2026, Moore launched a $4 million AI Workforce Investment, creating grants for "upskilling" and "reskilling" workers specifically for the AI economy. He often speaks about "service-to-career" pathways, which aligns with Yang’s interest in intentional communities and non-traditional labor.

2028 Potential: Rising. Moore is a powerful orator who can bridge the gap between the progressive and moderate wings. His focus on "future-proofing" the workforce makes him a natural intellectual ally for Forward-leaning voters.

 

Ro Khanna (U.S. Rep, CA-17)

The Platform: Representing Silicon Valley, Khanna is the "Architect of the New Social Contract." If Yang is the one who identified the problem, Khanna is the one trying to legislate the solution in Congress.

The Move: He recently introduced the Creator Bill of Rights (2026), a direct response to the "Platform Economy" (Uber, YouTube, TikTok). It calls for portable benefits (a major Yang pillar)—allowing health care and retirement to follow the worker, not the employer.

2028 Potential: The Progressive Wildcard. Khanna is often the lone voice warning about "oligarchic capture" of AI. He could secure a nomination if the party decides to lean into "Economic Patriotism" mixed with "High-Tech Regulation."

 

The GOP Angle: Vivek Ramaswamy

On the Republican side, Vivek Ramaswamy (currently running for Governor of Ohio) has adopted the "outsider/disruptor" energy that Yang once held. While their solutions differ (Vivek favors cutting the "Administrative State" rather than UBI), they both appeal to the same "System is Broken" demographic. Vivek is the most likely Republican to adopt Yang-like rhetoric regarding the "technological displacement of the soul" and the need for a new national identity.

 

Do the MATH: Support Yang 2028

The biggest variable is the state of the country. If the next two years see significant economic disruption due to AI—or if the public remains deeply dissatisfied with the two-party "status quo"—the appetite for a data-driven, non-ideological problem solver could be higher than ever.

While he hasn't officially declared for 2028, he recently released a new book, Hey Yang, Where’s My Thousand Bucks?, which many see as a way to keep his policy ideas in the public eye as the next cycle approaches. He has teased it a number of times on his podcast, which has evolved from Yang Speaks into the aptly titled Andrew Yang Podcast.

Our current system is perfectly designed to give us the frustration we feel today. If you want a different result, you need to change the input.

Learn about UBI. Join the Forward Party. Let's stop fighting over the 20th century and start building the 21st. 

Resources to learn more: 

TED Talk: Poverty isn't a lack of character; it's a lack of cash: Skeptical about the merits of UBI? Watch this with an open mind to start. 

The War on Normal People: Get the book, learn how Yang does the math. It's pretty enlightening and hard to argue with. 

Raising the Floor by Andy Stern: Another great book about UBI and why poverty is a problem for everyone

Andrew Yang Podcast: Keep up with the great thinker's latest thinkings. I have gotten great book recommendations and been inspired by a number of these! 

Forward Party website and news: See the momentum in real time and find out how you can get involved!

This Moment Isn't That Special

Picture generated by AI based on the text of this post.

I'm a self-proclaimed optimistic futurist. While I've been adopted a wait-and-see or give-it-more-time approach to certain technologies, I've also been an early adopter of those technologies I see as most promising. At work, I am a problem solver and lead a team of problem solvers. In my personal life, I strive for a more perfect, automated, easy, comfortable life. I read a lot, I write a lot, I think a lot. A lot of what I study, think and write about is the future - technology, economics, culture, systems, everything that we humans can control and mold towards a more perfect protopian future. 

So it's no surprise the algorithms recommended to me a show about the future, and I obligingly watched it. Underwhelming is an understatement. But more than that, I had a visceral reaction to some of the claims made. Now, granted, this wasn't an expert account from a fellow futurist. It was hosted and organized by a futurist, but the interviews were with various groups of people operating at various levels of exceptionalism, including absolute normalcy. 

Many of the claims from the interviewees that bothered me the most was the repeated notion that we're presently at an inflection point - in technology, environment and political concerns, yes, but more so - in our actual humanity. The fear that AI will take our jobs and modes of artistic creation such that it robs us of our ability to perceive and create, and that we therefore need to decide what the minimal viable requirements are to call ourselves human, and defend those things, was a few steps too far for me. 

Rather than being compelled by these empowered individuals seeing an opportunity to seize this turning point and make the world a better place, I actually started considering that people in the 1970's probably thought the same thing, and people in the 1930's, and people during the Renaissance, and how many other times in our human history? 

See, fears about technology replacing humans has been around for decades or centuries. Is this time different? Sure, there are arguments for that. But different, how? We're already seeing a backlash against generative AI not delivering the promises of complete automation and replacement of people, and the ROI is in question across the board. It has great potential, to be sure, but we've also identified very early on its tendency to hallucinate and provide complete inaccurate information with great confidence. It's flaws and faults were seen before anyone even noticed it wasn't delivering those promises of employee displacement. So why in the world did we even let those fears build up, and why are we surprised now about the fall of the hype? 

The political unrest is a lot. But is it more than we've seen before? What were those hippies protesting anyways? 

Violence is actually down in many areas. 

Mental health awareness has grown in leaps and bounds. 

The last two thoughts may actually be connected. How cool is that? 

But no, I am struck by actually had ordinary this time is. So why do so many people think we are at a turning point? Is it empowering to this "now is our moment?" If so, if that's what you need to feel compelled to act in a way that will positively improve the future, then go ahead and think that. But will you be disappointed when it turns out it was just another year in another decade with another technology that was interesting? 

Sometimes when I tell people I'm an optimist, they respond that they'd rather be realists. I mean, I get it. I'm not blind to the problems, nor do I want to ignore them. I like to believe I am centered in realism, but with an optimistic direction, rather than a doomsday view of the world. But when I heard these proclamations that now is the time to change the direction of humanity, I felt like those pessimists parading as realists. 

Rather than thinking it's now or never, I believe we wake up every day with the potential of what that day could bring, what we could accomplish. I used to wake up long before dawn and go running or walking in the dark. There's a conspiratory feeling that would wash over me that I'm up before everyone else and therefore I got a head start on them today. I don't walk or run outside currently because I hate Texas, so I don't get this feeling as frequently right now. But I still hold the potential of each day we get in high regard. And a year from now, five years from now, two decades from now, I hope I will still wake up every day with a day of potential ahead of me. 

AI Rant

We live in a world rich with opportunities, clearer for human rights than ever before (or at least, a few years ago before Trump's tirade on basic human decency), and yet, our problems of poverty, disease and mental health have either persisted or gotten worse. The dynamics that have created this dichotomy are complex and historied, and entirely self-inflicted, even if unintentional. But perhaps with Al's rise, as well as the threat of technological unemployment, we are equipped for the first time in history to actually tackle these problems at an individual and macro economic level.

Poverty, homelessness and hunger

Save for mental health issues, poverty, homelessness and hunger are rooted in a lack of cash, resources and access. Using Al to make paths to those resources can help individuals get back on track on their terms, not via a prescribed program a naive, although well-intentioned, government or charity program develops. Smart people should create tools that enable and empower the poorest among us to make better decisions for themselves what trades are in demand that can be lucrative and appealing, where are certain types of work most in demand geographically, etc.

Disease

[Insert legal disclaimer that I am not advocating for Al to replace medical attention]

Understanding symptoms in real-time and using context to eliminate causes and cipher out hypothetical causes in a personalized, unjudgmental way can lead to better personal health choices and more successful conversations with doctors and medical experts. For example, many of my symptoms are aggravated by being overweight, and while I understand that and am working to lose my excess weight, there are other factors that can be addressed to give me more immediate relief from symptoms, if only I understand them; however, when talking with a doctor, it often feels like the solution is just, get off your fat ass and lose the weight. Chatting with an Al chatbot is much less confrontational, feels like judgey, and gives space with no time limit to explore and better understand what's going on.

Mental Health

[Insert legal disclaimer that I am not advocating for Al to replace suicide prevention, etc]

For some people, for whatever reason, seeking counseling is either not a viable option (money/insurance, access, schedule), or feels like an insurmountable scary thing. An Al chatbot can provide direct advice for handling situations, and the recommendations get richer as it gets more context about your personal situation. It can ask you questions to help you reflect, and you can ask it for recommendations that you are most open to. For example, I've asked my Al chatbot to give me mantras to recite to remind myself of the mindset changes I want to make. You could ask it for advice on handling threatening situations in the moment, after, and how to prepare. You can talk through things and get reassurance that what you're feeling is normal and part of the human experience. Or if you are ready to pursue a therapist, you can ask it for advice about what kind of therapist to seek out, how to prepare for your appointment, how to determine if that specific relationship is going to work for you. It can give you the feeling of being in control when you most need it.

How we can use these ideas and tools to solve the world's problems

Knowledge and access are key - we need to develop ways to get the word out to the people most in need, and actually, everyone, really. And then we need to equip them, with free tools easy to navigate on both phones and computers because some people may not have access to one or the other.

For more privileged people, we need to understand what Al can do for us and utilize it develop these tools, as well as to brainstorm solutions to bigger picture issues. There are a few books that have come out recently that point to zoning laws and the immense web of restrictions and laws that builders have to navigate that contribute to the lack of affordable housing, and therefore to the homeless problem. We need people in government and large organizations to look wholistically at the system instead of each individual, maybe well-intended, rule and policy in place. When things become too hard, they don't get done. Let's re-evaluate the safeguards and the whole process needed for real solutions, and break down the barriers.

Other Intriguing Uses of AI: Envisioning Something New

Prompt: Design a new sport unlike any in current existence

AI: Here is a description of a new sport that is unlike any currently in existence:

    "Skyball"

Skyball is a team sport played on a circular field with a high ceiling. The objective of the game is to score points by throwing a ball through a hoop located on the ceiling of the field. Each team has three players on the field at a time, and the ball is advanced by throwing it to teammates or bouncing it off the walls or floor. The ball can only be held for a limited amount of time before it must be passed or shot.

The field is divided into three sections: the outer rim, the middle ring, and the inner circle. Each section has its own hoop, with the inner circle hoop being worth the most points. Players are allowed to move freely throughout the field, but they must stay within their designated section when attempting to score.

Skyball combines elements of basketball, soccer, and handball, and requires players to have a high level of agility, coordination, and strategic thinking. The fast-paced and high-scoring nature of the game makes it exciting to watch and play.

 

 

Prompt: From Bill Gates' book The Road Ahead, which predictions have not yet come true but still seem likely?

AI: In his book "The Road Ahead," Bill Gates makes a number of predictions about the future of technology and society. It's difficult to say which of these predictions have not yet come true, as the book was published in 1995 and many of the predictions are still in the process of being realized.

Some of the predictions that Gates makes in the book that may still be in the process of coming true include:

1. The rise of the internet: Gates predicts that the internet will become an increasingly important part of daily life and will transform the way we communicate, learn, and do business. While the internet has certainly become a central part of modern life, it is still evolving and its full potential has not yet been realized.

2. The proliferation of personal computers: Gates predicts that personal computers will become more powerful and widely available, and that they will be used for a wide range of applications. While personal computers have certainly become more powerful and widely available, they are still a relatively new technology and it is possible that they could continue to evolve and be used in new and unexpected ways.

3. The development of artificial intelligence: Gates predicts that artificial intelligence (AI) will become increasingly sophisticated and will be used to automate a wide range of tasks. While AI has made significant progress in recent years, it is still in the early stages of development and it is possible that it could continue to evolve and be used in new and unexpected ways.

4. The rise of digital media: Gates predicts that digital media will become more prevalent and will change the way we consume and create content. While digital media has certainly become more prevalent, it is still evolving and it is possible that it could continue to change the way we consume and create content in the future.

Overall, it is difficult to say which of Gates' predictions have not yet come true, as many of them are still in the process of being realized.

These AI-Generated Bucket Lists Inspired Me

A question was recently posed on Twitter: "What was the most impactful technology of 2022?" and I mentally answered almost instinctively: Artificial Intelligence. While AI has been in development for years and theorized about for decades and even centuries, and is far from the Promised Land of AI even today, I think it made some huge strides in 2022 and also made its way into the public's hands like never before this year. 

From AI-generated artwork based on user inputs, AI morphing selfies into cartoon characters and other stylized self-portraits, to virtual AI "friends" and chatbots to help with anxiety and other wellness concerns, articles surfacing of AI bots having self-realization and sharing human-like beliefs, it just seems to have dominated the technology conversation this year. Most recently, however, my employee turned me onto ChatGPT which writes lengthy bits based on prompts, including writing code or blog posts. Don't worry, I have no intention of using it to write my blog posts here, except as excerpts to demonstrate the technology's prowess and shortcomings. While ChatGPT has known and stated limitations (especially that the data is only current up to 2021), I wanted to share some of the most interesting bits I got out of it (so far). 

Below are the prompts and responses I got from ChatGPT regarding bucket lists. Before presenting the lists, I want to share a few insights that really struck me. 

First of all, I've lived in LA County for over a year and a half, and love space, and I had no awareness or consideration of the Griffith Observatory until this list. This opened up a whole rabbit hole for me of podcasts and planning a trip to the observatory and consideration of becoming a member. All because the AI generated a list which I hadn't yet seen. 

Much of the California Bucket List resonated with me, having either done them intentionally as part of my Life List or as part of my California Bucket List to take advantage of our time here. 

This sort of resource could be a jumping off point for when we move to a new location, generating local and regional bucket lists as well as interest-based bucket lists within a geographic region. The results are both impressively accurate and incredibly compelling and actionable. 

I hope these lists inspire you as well, and if you want to try creating your own, check out ChatGPT while it is available to the public!

Steal This Idea: Robot Restaurant

 I recently got suckered into a tourist trap in Tokyo (which honestly doesn't happen much in Japan) called Robot Restaurant, and needless to say was quite disappointed. To be fair, I was going on a whim, and failed to research exactly what it was. It was hardly a restaurant and utilized zero robots. In fact, it was much more like a Japanese anime version of Medieval Times. Actors were dressed as robots, and parade float-like vehicles were driven by an RC car mechanism. The drivers didn't even try to hide, they stood right next to us at the end of the audience seating and used their RC controllers to steer the vehicles around. It was quite cheesy, but entertaining if your expectations are set low enough.

All that said, it got me thinking about a real Robot Restaurant. I think its fair to say that (1) we're at a point where AI, robotics and communication technology could feasibly run an entire restaurant, and (2) the general public doesn't quite know the extent of how technology could replace some of the most common jobs in the country. Thus, I think it would be interesting to launch an actual Robot Restaurant to showcase these amazing technologies, and could even be used as an operational experimental platform for new technologies. So the following is how I would envision it, and I would love for someone to steal the idea and create. All I'd ask in return is maybe a seat at the literal table to eat one day. You'll notice that I refer to existing technologies a lot here, and I do that for two reasons: to show that this is feasible today, and also to limit the amount of explaining I have to do.

Entrance

I think the Robot Restaurant experience merits a cover charge and a reservation system to make sure there are sufficient seats.  This is easily handled with a phone app and automated ticket system outside the building, much like a movie theater system. You could pick your time, select your seats and pay without talking to a human. Accessibility needs could be addressed as well. It could even have upgrade options, including extended time, or options on using the experimental technologies or the standard (well-tested) technologies.
Before entering, guests are provided RFID bracelets tied to their accounts, much like those guests wear at Disney World. RFID gates throughout the restaurant will allow the technology to provide a customized experience and track guests' movements to ensure things are working as planned.
Upon entering, the floor will light up with directions to the guests' seats based on their seat selections and tied to their RFID bracelets. This replaces the traditional host/hostess seating activity. However, a friendly robot host may be at the entrance to help guests understand how to follow the floor if they get stuck.

Once seated, the Robot Server should come to them, greet them and explain how to order, and provide water which it pours on the spot with a tap.

Ordering

I'm sure you can imagine the simplest ordering mechanism would be for a tablet or table-top device, like what you'd see at Chili's, Applebee's, Buffalo Wild Wings or Olive Garden. The menus on those device would have to be much more enhanced, more like the large touch-screen ordering stations at McDonald's, where you can choose all the different menu items, customize them, and them to the cart, etc. The ordering could be integrated with the phone app as well for those who have downloaded it. Of course, at any

time, guests will have a way to add to their service if they need something immediately.

Another option is to have a robot server come and take the order, to give that traditional restaurant feeling, and to work on the AI of listening to people and conversing. This could be an upgrade or experimental element. Ultimately, I'd still suggest that guests verify their orders on a screen before it hits the kitchen, at a minimum.

Some elements to consider would be a "timed" experience, where guests are prompted first to order their drinks, then to consider appetizers, then order their main course, then later, as they wrap up the main course, be prompted to order desserts. If guests are lingering too long, perhaps they get a timer indicating when they have to order by.

Service

So far, I've covered merely some of the basics of what a restaurant would need to do to function. Where I think the unique experience comes in is how the food and drinks are prepared and served. First, for drinks, I think it would be kind of entertaining for the robot servers to "load" various drinks, such as Diet Coke, regular Coke, orange soda, sweet tea, etc., and then pour from their tap for the refills. So maybe the first round is served traditionally all at once, a robot on the side fills the glasses with the new table's order, puts it on the Service Conveyor Belt for the Robot Server to pick it up, and bring it to the table. But when someone either orders a refill of, let's say, Diet Coke, or if a robot's AI notices the Diet Coke cup is low, it goes the Refill Station, loads the Diet Coke keg with its own tap. I'm picturing a robotic version of the "Ghostbusters" or "beer girls" at Japanese baseball games that carry kegs on their backs and pour beer fresh from the tap on order. Meanwhile, all customers who ordered Diet Coke would be prompted with a message on their screen asking if they need a refill. The robot then goes to the person who ordered the refill to refill the glass, and then to each additional customer, either in the order that they requested, or in an optimized fashion. The customers who ordered refills could actually see their place in line to know when to expect their refill to come, like they might be 5th, and when that #1 was served, then they're 4th in the queue, and so on. When all Diet Cokes are serviced, the robot server goes to the next drink (unless food is ready to be served), and loads the next drink needed, and the process repeats. Actually, there is technology already available with water bottles that indicate the level of liquid as well as the temperature, both being read from inside the bottle; something like that could be applied to the glasses used so that if a drink gets too warm or too low, the Robot Server initiates a refill.
There may be legal hurdles to selling alcohol, but if alcohol service is an option, guests could scan their IDs with the tablets or some device at the table, or perhaps before entering.
Once a food order is entered, guests have the option to track their food's progress through the kitchen by either a pictorial representation, an actual video of the food preparation in the kitchen, or both. The robots in the kitchen would wear silly chef hats just because, and maybe they would do silly things from time to time like a teppanyaki chef, like flip a shrimp into their hat. There could be lots of "Easter eggs" or surprises that only a very keen observer would notice.
The patrons at the bar would have an even more interesting option. The wall behind the Robot Bartender would actually be a glass window that can change from an opaque scene to a transparent window and back on command. It would reset to the opaque scene after 2 minutes, and hold for 30 seconds minimum before anyone can change it to transparent again. The opaque scene can vary from day to day, maybe it's an old Western bar one day, and full of Hollywood glitz the next day. The customers at the bar could choose to switch to the glass window to watch their food live, maybe even with overlays on the screen to highlight where their food was in the kitchen.

When guests stand up prior to their departure time, the assumption would be that they need to use the restroom. The floor would once again illuminate to guide them to the bathrooms, even with a decision point of which gender bathroom to go in, or a gender-neutral bathroom. We could take it a step further and have multiple individual bathrooms, and the floor would know which ones were occupied and guide guests to the unoccupied bathrooms. The trip to the bathroom would pass by the kitchen, which, once you're passed the transitional glass between the bar and the kitchen, is all transparent windows so you can see the robots working live on the various orders. Based on your RFID, maybe the windows also highlight where your food is for you.

It's an experience to go to the bathroom too, including the toilet lid opening as you enter and closing as you leave and the lights coming on as the door opens. Maybe the toilet seat protector changes, etc. There is a Toto washlet with bidet, seat warmer and dryer on the toilet. The soap, sink and hand dryer are all automatic. The door can be pushed/pulled open, but if you swipe your RFID bracelet next to the reader, it will open and close the door for you as well. The mirror compliments you, and asks if you'd like any fashion advice or tips. If requested, it will analyze either your clothes or your hair style or makeup, etc., and provide an actual useful piece of advice based on what an expert would tell you. Maybe the bathroom plays your own personal soundtrack that you've pre-selected.
When food is delivered while a guest is away from their table, their wristband would vibrate, light up and/or ring a little chime so they know to return to their table.

The food is placed on the Service Conveyor Belt by the kitchen robots, and rolled out to the proper row, and the Robot Server would go to pick up and bring it to the proper table and proper seat. Guests could attempt to "trick" the server by changing seats, but it would track based on the order tied to the RFID bracelet. 




Desserts could be 3D printed at the table; the Robot Server would bring the

3D printer over and the ingredients, and guests would get to watch their desserts printed in front of them.

Reservation times would be staggered so that there are people coming and going while others are eating. This would allows guests to witness the Robot Busboy dropping in from the ceiling above to pick up all the dishes and wipe the table down. The point of this is to demonstrate that by employing robots, we're not limited to humanoid activities like having people run around to each table to clean up.

From time to time, a Robot Sweeper would come by to clean the Pedestrian Walkways. It would primarily look like a Roomba, but it would choose a guest at random, stop by their seat and pop a flower out of its top and hand it to the guest. It could be a toy or other little trinket.

The focus would be on not having to talk to a human throughout the entire experience, but at any point in time if a guest wants to talk to a human, there's an option, and either a video chat would open on their screen, or the Robot Server would come over and display a person on a video chat on its head. A few people would be on hand in real life if something needed to handled physically, but that should be only in absolute critical situations.

Entertainment

There would be a stage for the artists of the Robot Community to paint, ride bikes, tell jokes, and play music. The acts would rotate regularly. Requests for songs, paintings, joke topics, etc., could be made by using the tablets on the tables. One act could be an "improv" based on suggestions from the guests, or a "Mad Lib" style where different tables get to pick the words. I think a robot striptease would be funny once in a while, but that should be another "Easter egg" so it's a rarity. You could play with audience interaction and be really creative here, like perhaps hold an auction for Robot Restaurant merchandise or junk food like astronaut ice cream. If a guest wins a hat, the Robot Busboy actually brings the hat to their seat from the ceiling above, and places it on their head, then provides a mirror for them to look into which actually captures a picture. Drones could do the same, delivering other items and taking a picture of the guests as they receive it. Maybe a guest is selected at random, and their portrait is painted by the robot on stage, and they get to take it home after a fake auction. Guests' names and occupations could be mentioned in an "improved" song or rap. Styles could vary with the style of the bar for the day, like country one night, European the next, Las Vegas the following, etc. It is important that we're not just looking at animatronics, but that the robots are showing cognition of what's going on around them, tailoring what they're doing, etc.

Upgrades for celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions could have different entertainment packages to go along with them. Maybe a "Kiss Cam" is rolled out for the couple celebrating an anniversary or newly engaged. For birthdays, the robots in the kitchen, the servers, and the busboys could light up and "sing" a funny robotic rendition of the birthday song. Unlike with human waiters and waitresses, the robots could sing in any language and even learn variations of birthday songs (a punk metal version, a rap version, a country version) to change it up. Maybe they'll throw in a birthday gong, birthday dance, or a joke about being over the hill, etc.

The walls around the dining area would be screens that would follow the themes of the rest of the activities going on. For example, for a birthday song, the screens could show confetti and balloons falling on repeat. When not in use for a specific event, they would function to inform and entertain. Tweets with #RobotRestaurant from this geographical area could show up on one section

live, maybe intertwined with select tweets from innovators like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and the like. The Robot Servers could also tweet at random intervals, welcoming guests in, thanking them for great reviews, sharing selfies and interesting factoids, etc. Another screen would show the entertainment lineup for the immediate day, as well as upcoming theme days, etc. One screen could show robot bloopers, whether real or intentionally faked.

The seats could have butt warmers that guests could control, height adjustments or slight recline functionality, and maybe the color or design of the table can be customized.

Guests could choose to use headphones and utilize the tablets to learn about the various technologies featured and being experimented with, and browse robotics and technologies they could buy to bring home. Or, they could learn about the supply chain of the food sources for their specific meal, or a number of other more educational offerings. If multiple Robot Restaurants are opened, they could tap into the other locations to watch the entertainment, browse the menus at those locations, etc.

As the meal raps up, the Robot Server would offer to take a selfie with the table, and then extend an Inspector Gadget-style selfie stick out of its arm to take the perfect selfie. As surprises and Easter eggs are discovered, guests will have their pictures and/or videos taken automatically, and those will be available online and on their apps after the visit.

Before paying, guests are shown a quick summary of the fun things they've seen and done, and go through a very brief survey. Maybe they get a coupon for their next visit, etc. After paying, guests are escorted out via the light up floor system again into the Gift Shop to exit. They could choose to return their RFID wristbands for a deposit return, or keep them (and can re-use them).