When conversing with the dynamic British entrepreneur John Lee, envisioning a future with two of him might seem far-fetched. However, this self-made millionaire and international speaker is on a journey to replicate himself.
Indeed, you heard it right. While there may not be an actual physical clone, Lee is harnessing AI technology to collect data from countless hours of his own lectures to replicate his voice and—potentially, later on—his likeness. The primary aim is to enable generative AI to respond to inquiries in Lee’s distinct voice, utilizing insights and know-how from his prior speaking events.
John Lee, the entrepreneur, envisions a future shaped by AI
With a burgeoning team and over 6 million followers on social media at the time of this report, he acknowledges that it is practically impossible to address every question or inquiry for personalized coaching. He sees AI as a tool to broaden his reach to individuals and perhaps enable him to participate virtually at events like a hologram someday.
“One of the hurdles I encounter in my profession is that I travel the globe to speak to audiences, but there’s just one of me,” says Lee. “I can only occupy one location at any given time.” With an AI avatar crafted from a 3D scan, “now I can opt to be present or have my AI communicate on my behalf.”
This AI frontrunner acknowledges concerns regarding security, rights, ethics, among other issues. Yet, he encourages leveraging technology’s capabilities to enrich human life. Additionally, he invests in AI ventures to back his beliefs. “This transformation is already underway. We can either resist it or embrace it.”
In the following Q&A, John Lee shares insights on his journey, his future, and how he envisions AI assisting him along the way. Additionally, discover the top five user-friendly AI resources he suggests to enhance your business.
An Interview with John Lee
SUCCESS: Your unique blend of innovations and a non-traditional career path alongside your experience in animation is fascinating. Is that accurate?
John Lee: Absolutely, as I’m constantly considering the best strategies to accomplish tasks more efficiently and effortlessly.
So, for you, AI represents efficiency and the ability to be in multiple places simultaneously, extending your influence?
JL: Precisely, but it’s also about the legacy I can leave when I’m gone… Humans are born, live their lives, and eventually depart from this world. But what if a part of you could persist? Imagine a scenario where a couple loses one partner, and we could recreate that individual. Or consider someone with dementia, now able to interact with their past self… There are advancements in robotics creating skeletal structures, and the film industry has developed lifelike skin through generative technology. The final piece missing is the cognitive aspect. However, generative AI can provide that. Thus, the concept of living forever becomes plausible.
Is that part of the legacy aspect you’re discussing? Do you aspire for immortality?
JL: The reason we don’t achieve eternal life is that future generations must evolve from our shortcomings. That’s why humans cannot exist indefinitely—if they did, growth would stagnate. Conversely, an AI replicant of yourself could learn significantly faster than you. It drives deeper philosophical questions about existence. What defines being alive? Is it the physical form? [grabs wrist] Or is it the consciousness? [points to head] The retention of consciousness is key. Imagine the ability to transfer our awareness into other forms. I believe in leaving a legacy for future generations to build upon.
Who has inspired you in the realm of AI?
JL: I’ve had the privilege of speaking globally on this theme, immersed in dialogues with people, including friends who share insights on these topics. I feel quite fortunate as AI is still in its infancy… There’s so much more to absorb. I engage with podcasts, participate in events, and conduct research… Many of my learning sources are actually those businesses I’ve chosen to invest in, providing me with firsthand insights.
You are compensated for mentoring, speaking, and fielding inquiries that AI will eventually tackle. Are you wary of financial losses?
JL: The reality is: you must be willing to reinvent yourself. If you don’t, someone else will. It’s true, my consulting rates are quite high, and in taking this route, I’ve essentially commodified my expertise. Why pursue that? Well, rather than spending an hour advising one individual for $5,000, I could educate a million people globally for maybe $1 an hour. It boils down to scaling; that’s where AI shines. Those who don’t embark on this journey are likely overlooking a significant opportunity.
What are your foremost hopes or aspirations for the future?
JL: My aspirations involve humanity recognizing the unavoidable and utilizing it for further evolution. For instance, humanity possesses the intelligence to fly someone across the globe, yet we haven’t managed to execute that without causing environmental damage. That’s just one illustration. Technology can analyze our methods and question our decisions, unveiling insights that our primitive brains might miss in comparison to AI.
Your perspective on AI seems optimistic.
JL: It reflects the essence captured in superhero narratives: “With great power comes great responsibility.” The real question lies not in what AI is capable of, but rather in the intent behind it. What drives this innovation?
Do you place more trust in AI than in human decision-making?
JL: Answering that is complicated without appropriate context or security measures. The challenge arises when solving one problem can inadvertently create another. For example, we might develop advanced artificial intelligence, but that leads to the question: how do we control it? That’s encapsulated in the saying, “new level, new devil.” We stand on the verge of remarkable exponential growth capable of assisting in unforeseen ways—addressing numerous issues we humans struggle with. We need a more advanced intelligence to guide our evolution.
5 Recommended AI Tools by John Lee
- ChatGPT: This AI-driven model generates text akin to human output by utilizing contextual cues and previous dialogues. Lee affirms its effectiveness. “I dedicated 20 years to mastering copywriting, yet this AI can transform an entire piece in 10 seconds, vastly outperforming my efforts.”
- Midjourney: A generative AI application that crafts visuals from text instructions. “Midjourney aids in designing elements,” such as logos. Along with ChatGPT, these represent “two of the most utilized” tools prevalent today.
- Synthesia: This service generates videos from written content. A particular application involves helping those with stage fright by allowing them to present without stepping onto the stage. “Synthesia can provide an AI avatar to represent you.”
- HeyGen: Another AI video generation platform, it can create a 3D model of you, overlay your voice, and “essentially articulate as you would.” Lee recalls the founder performing a demonstration with a digitized version of himself, “and attendees could hardly tell it wasn’t him.”
- Hostinger: “Many people lack coding knowledge,” so this platform allows AI to construct a website for you with minimal input, all within mere minutes. “What previously took months and substantial financial investment to develop can now be achieved with just a few clicks.”
