Embarrassing AI #54: Laying out the 2026 AI journey

Things built: 23 People watching: 19 Cashflow:-$172

The year doesn’t really start until my kids are back in school on Monday but before that happens I’d like to make the case for making Embarrassing AI part of your 2026 routine.

Just want to make sure we’re aligned on the AI goodness I intend to deliver to your inbox every morning. Here is why I think you’ll enjoy EAI in 2026.

AI is everywhere. Using it or deciding not to requires a better understanding of what it can and can’t do that you can’t get from reading AI bro tweets or doomer articles. And it’s ever changing. You have to dive in a little deeper. That’s what motivates me, to know enough to put AI in its place based on knowledge rather than prejudice.

Building things is fun. So is watching others build. It often sparks your own adventure. I’m sharing what I’m building with AI or how I’m using it ranging from vibe coding apps, building automations (I’m diving into voice agents soon), and how to empower my academic research with AI without it just doing my thinking for me. And more.

AI raises fascinating questions about what intelligence is; what technical competence is, how human learning works, how efficient it is, how our presumptions about it are being challenged because of AI; what human work and worth means if much of our mundane paper pushing is becoming obsolete, even for elite paper pushing by experts such as radiologists. What does it all mean and how are people more articulate than I talking through these questions? Since starting EAI I’ve discovered not just a treasure trove of technical information but also some the most interesting conversations about evolution, futurism, the philosophy of learning, biology, doomerism vs. utopianism. Especially as a historian of the 20th century, the parallels to 100 years ago are fascinating. I’ll be diving into this more, serving up pearls I find, and sharing interesting questions being asked.

Finally, I’m building this newsletter and the AI inspired output I’m documenting in it to see if I can grow it into something self sustaining. Can EAI become something both fun and lucrative in the next 12 months? You’ll certainly find out if you stick around. AI is my main advisor in how to achieve this. 🐝 The Sting at the top of each issue is the no frills breakdown of how this is going every single day. Can’t wait to see how it’ll look a year from now, and why.

That’s what I have to offer you this year.

If you know someone who would enjoy receiving a short, daily update that covers these topics, why don’t you forward them this email with a little note about why you think they would enjoy it. I love it when my friends give me recommendations on cool niche stuff I would otherwise never find.

Nothing for you to click. But I do have a clearer vision for what I want to do with EAI this coming year.

Tools I am using to fake being an expert.

1. Beehiiv (The Platform)

"I tried other platforms, but Beehiiv is the only one that makes growth feel like a game. It’s what runs this newsletter. The Deal: You get a free trial + 20% off (I get a commission to keep the lights on)."

2. Wispr Flow (The Time Saver)

"I hate typing. This tool turns my rambling voice notes into perfect text. It’s the only way I can write this much every day. The Deal: We both get a free month if you try it."

3. Emergent (The Coding Cheat)

"I am not a coder. Emergent is my 'vibe coding' partner that writes the messy parts for me. Essential if you want to build apps without a CS degree."

🧘‍♂ Last Word.

It might be silly to use the excuse of a new year to make new beginnings, but it’s as good an excuse as any to start. We’re humans, we thrive on ceremony giving us meaning.

Making daily progress,

P.S. Did I do something totally backwards today? Or do you have a better prompt for this? Hit reply and tell me. I’m here to learn just as much as you are. (I read every single email).