Between AI and your goals: Facing the new year like a movie character
Ah, my final article of 2024. What to write about?
As many of you know, my work focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, business, economics, trade, and the future of our beautiful world, region, and country—moving forward as a diverse and vibrant community. That’s usually what I write about. But once a year, maybe twice, I allow myself to diverge just slightly—still keeping all of those topics top of mind for you, the reader.
The pressure of New Year’s resolutions
As 2024 comes to an end and 2025 starts to stare us down like an awkward stranger on the street, we need to make a plan—and we need to make it fast. We might be able to coast through office parties, posadas, or family gatherings without saying too much. But we all know what’s coming on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day: someone will hit you with the question, “So, what are your resolutions for 2025?” Even if the words are right there on the tip of your tongue, you can’t really say, “Does avoiding that question next year count?” I know—it would feel great.
Why does it feel like that? Because it used to be enough to come up with some easy resolutions like reading more (unspecified books), getting in better shape, or the all-time favorite: “2025 is the year I’m going to make it happen!” Make what happen? No idea. Neither do you (usually), and even less the person hearing it. But now, with social media, AI, Bitcoin skyrocketing, and everyone “crushing it,” you might be wondering what you’re missing. Let me tell you: in most cases, you’re not missing anything (you know who you are).
All the advances in AI throughout 2024 have made it feel like just about anything is easier to do—from raising capital to launch a killer AI startup that helps hipsters find the best cold brew while traveling, to being more productive while staying mindful, to optimizing your entire life.
By the way, that hipster coffee startup doesn’t exist yet—hey! That could be your 2025 idea. You’re welcome.
All this AI can make people feel like they’re falling behind in the game of being perfect or doing something big every day—especially during the holidays, when you have to recap what you did and declare what’s next.
How to face 2025 with confidence
So how do we stare 2025 right back and get it to behave while we enjoy our drink of choice to ring in the New Year?
Here’s my recommendation:
Pick one to three goals that feel ambitious and would make you feel good if you accomplished them by the end of 2025. Don’t worry about what others think—these goals are yours.
AI is an incredible tool for transforming lives, building businesses, increasing productivity, and changing the world. Take a moment—maybe a few hours—and reflect on how you want AI to be part of your life in the coming years. Surprise: whatever you decide, that can be a great resolution, too.
Keep this in mind: almost everyone around you during the holidays is in the same situation as you—just at different stages or levels. Even if you’re at a party with Mark Zuckerberg, he’s also figuring out the future of his company with AI.
Remember when it was all about the Metaverse? AI changes everyone’s plans—even centibillionaires.
A toast to the present and the future
Before I sign off for 2024 and gear up for our first conversation in 2025, I want to leave you with one last thought:
There has never been a better time to be alive in all of human history. Of the 116.5 billion people who have ever lived, you’re here—now. With a single tap on your phone, you can order food from anywhere you want, have someone pick it up, bring it to your door, and hand it to you. You can see friends and loved ones you miss through a video call, almost for free. You can call a car to pick you up and take you—like a movie character—to the destination of your choosing.
We’re living the kind of life our ancestors could barely imagine. It belonged to dreams and science fiction.
So go into 2025 like the movie character you are—with your AI plan in hand and 365 chances ahead to make whatever you want a reality.
Happy Holidays—and a very Happy New Year.
Originally published in Spanish for Fast Company Mexico:
https://fastcompany.mx/2024/12/26/propositos-ano-nuevo-2025-ia/
