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How a Canadian Academic Predicted the World’s AI Obsession
Plus: The Three Types of Artists
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Before OpenAI, There Was Mark Gubrud: Canada’s Forgotten AI Visionary
The Three Types of Artists
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✍️ TAKE NOTE
Before OpenAI, There Was Mark Gubrud: Canada’s Forgotten AI Visionary
Before “Artificial General Intelligence” became the buzzword of Silicon Valley, it started quietly in Canada. In 1997, Canadian physicist and philosopher Mark Gubrud coined the term AGI—long before ChatGPT or OpenAI existed. Working at the intersection of nanotech and ethics, Gubrud imagined machines that could think and reason like humans across any task. His paper barely made a ripple at the time, but nearly three decades later, his idea has become the cornerstone of the global AI race. While the world’s biggest tech companies now chase the AGI dream, Gubrud himself remains a thoughtful skeptic, watching from afar as his once-academic concept becomes reality.
Key Takeaways:
Canadian Roots of AGI: Mark Gubrud, a Canadian researcher, was the first to formally define Artificial General Intelligence, envisioning AI that could learn and reason like humans.
Vision Before Its Time: His 1997 work predated today’s AI boom by decades and accurately predicted the ethical, political, and economic debates we’re now living through.
A Global Phenomenon, Born in Canada: While AGI is now driven by US-based giants, its origin story began in a Canadian lab, shaped by the country’s long tradition of innovation and cautious optimism toward technology.
From Theory to Tech Arms Race: What began as academic curiosity is now a global competition with billion-dollar stakes and profound ethical implications.
Gubrud’s Perspective: Still active in academic circles, Gubrud warns that the AGI race risks outpacing humanity’s moral and regulatory readiness.
Why It Matters:
Canada has quietly shaped some of the world’s most transformative technologies, and AGI is no exception. Gubrud’s story is a reminder that big ideas often start in small labs, long before the headlines catch up. As AI companies race toward “human-level intelligence,” the man who first named it offers a distinctly Canadian perspective—one that balances ambition with responsibility, and innovation with conscience.
🌐 AROUND THE INTERWEBS
Creatives are often put into an all encompassing bucket of being “Artists” but really it’s not that simple! This creator breaks down the multiple types of artists in today’s age.
🔦 NOTABLE SPOTLIGHT 🔦
Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Weekend
The Hockey Hall of Fame is set to welcome hockey’s newest legends, Class of 2025 Inductees!
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🎙️ Get Into It: The Worst Idea of All Time. Two comedians watch the same terrible movie every week for a year—and riff on it. Completely absurd, deeply hilarious, and strangely addictive. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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