As someone who pursued a postgraduate degree in AI and whose primary research was on NLPs well before GPTs became mainstream, I must admit I’m increasingly concerned about the direction AI is taking us. This isn’t to question AI’s usefulness. On the contrary, its capabilities are remarkable. But it is a reflection on how the irresponsible use of AI could undermine what makes us fundamentally human: the ability to think critically and independently. ...
The older I get, the more I realize how little I know. I find myself more anxious and afraid. Daring moves I could have made easily five years ago, like selling everything I owned to move to a new country on a student visa with just three months of runway and no grasp of the language, now feel unthinkable. It feels like I have lost some faith in myself. My ability to move mountains is waning. I wonder, why is it so? Is it the burden of comfort, being stuck in a routine – bed → work → sleep – or maybe the safety of the lack of lack. ...
A couple of years ago, I found myself on a train to Monaco with some friends. At the time, I had no idea that this short ride from Antibes to the principality would completely change my perspective on watching cars go around in circles. I can’t recall exactly how we ended up with Grand Prix tickets to one of the most expensive race weekends on the calendar, but what I do know is that I didn’t pay a dime. ...
I hate early morning flights. Well, perhaps “hate” is too strong a word, let’s say I dislike them. Yes, that sounds better. Though I claim to dislike early morning flights, I find myself on them more often than not. The reason isn’t philosophical; they’re simply cheaper, sometimes half the price of flights at more reasonable hours. You might be wondering what early morning EasyJet flights have to do with selflessness. I don’t blame you; I was just looking for a different kind of introduction. 🤣 Please bear with me because everything we’re about to discuss was triggered during one such early morning flight. ...
This morning, I awoke to a rather ominous tone, with my social media feed flooded with messages of despair. Many in my social circle seemed shocked by what appears to be the reelection of a figure who embodies the very opposite of what we envision in a leader. Amid this discontent, a few voices celebrated the outcome; I can understand why, yet I can’t shake off the fear. I am among those who feel uncertain, less than optimistic, about what the next four years may hold on the global stage. ...
Sometimes, I look at my life with grace and profound gratitude. I understand how much of a privilege it is to be able to plot your path and shape your destiny, to choose what you eat, where you live, where you work, and who you spend time with. Even though I don’t have everything figured out, I am grateful for the little things that define my essence. It hasn’t always been this way. I come from a generation of Zimbabweans who had no option to choose, thanks to our beloved government. We ate what USAID donated to us, we attended schools our parents could afford – often government schools without teachers – and we lived in townships with zero access to any kind of amenities. On top of that, we had no say in who led us. ...
For a long time, I’ve wrestled with the notion of finding happiness – an ongoing quest to understand what drives us and what gives us the zeal to wake up and face the world each day. Despite my efforts, I’ve rarely come close to a definitive answer. The closest I’ve come is through understanding myself: focusing on the things I love and avoiding the search for external, fleeting solutions to fill internal voids. ...
Sim racing has taught me an invaluable lesson: it’s not about being the fastest over one lap (except in quali, of course), but rather maintaining consistency throughout the entire race. Similarly, in life, we often rush to outwork the process, forgetting that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Remember to pace yourself, stay consistent, steer clear of trouble, and embrace the journey. There was a time in my career when I desperately felt the need to be the best engineer out there; one who delivers on time, never makes mistakes, and always stays in good books with my superiors. This was akin to being fast over one lap; it often led to a lot of tyre degradation, or at least in my life, it led to fatigue and constantly feeling like I am not good enough. ...