Own Your Future: Build a Personal AI That Works for You
The video encourages viewers to “shape your AI” rather than letting tech giants do it for them. The premise is that anyone can now train a personal “digital twin” – an AI model that learns from your messages, notes and routines – and that doing so is critical to owning your data, values and future. Why is this message resonating now?
AI is everywhere, but few people actually pay for it
Artificial intelligence has moved from hype to habit. In the United States, 61 % of adults have used AI in the past six months, and nearly one in five uses it daily. Globally that equates to about 1.7 – 1.8 billion users with 500 – 600 million daily users. Adoption cuts across age groups: nearly half of Baby Boomers have tried AI and 11 % use it daily; 75 % of employed adults and 85 % of students use AI. Parents are particularly enthusiastic, with 79 % having tried AI and 29 % using it every day.
Despite this enthusiasm, the consumer AI market is relatively small – about US$12 billion – because only 3 % of users pay for premium services. Even ChatGPT converts just 5 % of active users into subscribers. This “value gap” hints at an opportunity for personalised tools that deliver more tailored benefits.
Digital twins: from industrial efficiency to personal empowerment
Businesses are already embracing digital twins – virtual replicas that simulate systems and processes. The market for digital twins is forecast to grow 71 % in two years, and three‑quarters of IoT‑adopting firms either benefit from or plan to adopt digital twin technology. The next evolution is to apply the same idea to our personal lives. A personal digital twin trained on your data could summarise your inbox, plan your schedule, draft reports or remind you of prior decisions – effectively becoming an extension of your memory and judgment.
Industrial examples show the potential. Unilever’s AI‑powered digital twin for 300 factories saved US$2.8 million, improved productivity by 1–3 % and reduced energy consumption. Adapting such technology for individuals promises similar gains in time, energy and insight.
Why decentralisation matters
Most AI systems are built and owned by large companies, making their data and decisions opaque. Decentralised AI platforms use blockchains and open protocols to make models transparent, reduce bias and allow individuals to control their data. By distributing computation, they improve security and energy efficiency while avoiding platform monopolies Importantly, decentralised AI can incorporate user‑owned data vaults, giving you the choice to monetise or keep your data private.
Why build your own AI now?
Protect your values and privacy. Training a digital twin on your own emails and notes ensures your AI reflects your ethics and communication style rather than a generic corporate model.
Capture value. With billions of users and only a sliver paying for AI, building a personal AI lets you extract value from your data instead of handing it to a platform.
Be ready for an AI‑first world. Roughly 73 % of organisations worldwide are using or piloting AI and the global AI market is already worth US$391 billion, on track to hit US$1.81 trillion by 2030. Developing your own AI literacy now will prepare you for jobs and services that expect it.
Support ethical AI ecosystems. By choosing decentralised platforms, you reinforce transparency and fairness while avoiding lock‑in.
The takeaway: AI is rapidly becoming a part of everyday life. Instead of letting big tech dictate how it works, you can build a digital twin that embodies your priorities, protects your privacy and helps you thrive in an AI‑driven world. The sooner you start shaping your AI, the more it will be yours.
