Would You Want to Punch Someone Wearing This AI Hardware?
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Kevin Rose’s Take on AI Hardware Investments
Kevin Rose, a seasoned investor and general partner at True Ventures, has a straightforward yet impactful rule for assessing AI hardware investment opportunities: “If you feel like you should punch someone in the face for wearing it, you probably shouldn’t invest in it.” This unfiltered perspective stems from Rose’s extensive experience in the tech sector and his keen observations of AI hardware startups that seem to be repeating past mistakes.
A Candid Reflection on AI Wearables
While many venture capitalists (VCs) are diving into the AI hardware gold rush—funding innovative products like smart glasses and wearable devices—Rose is taking a more cautious stance. His insights come from years of investing in successful companies such as Peloton, Ring, and Fitbit, alongside serving on the board of Oura, a dominant player in the smart ring market.
Rose critiques the current trend of AI wearables, noting that many of them disrupt social norms regarding privacy. “A lot of it is just like, ‘Let’s listen to the entire conversation,’” he states, highlighting concerns about constant surveillance and the potential emotional toll on users and those around them.
Emotional Resonance Over Technical Capability
Through his experience, Rose has recognized that successful wearables must resonate emotionally and socially, not just technically. “As an investor, you can’t just consider the cool tech; you must assess how it makes you feel and how it impacts those around you,” he explains. He worries that many current AI applications seem designed to be the “smartest person in the room,” ultimately leading to unhealthy social interactions.
Reflecting on his own trials with AI wearables, he recounts an incident involving the ill-fated Humane AI pendant. “I was having an argument with my wife, and I tried to use the device to prove my point,” he recalls, realizing that winning a debate by consulting AI logs is far from ideal.
The Downside of AI Integration
Rose argues that many applications of AI are superficial and often yield negative consequences. He points out how features in photo-editing apps allow users to erase imperfections, even removing significant elements from their surroundings. “I had a friend who erased a gate from behind him to make his photo look better. What happens when his kids look back and ask, ‘Didn’t we have a gate there?’” he asks, emphasizing the long-term implications of superficial adjustments.
His concerns extend beyond individual choices to broader societal trends. “We are in the early days of social media with AI,” he warns. Decisions that appear harmless now may lead to regrets later. “In a decade or two, we might look back and think, ‘Wow, we really shouldn’t have just slapped AI onto everything,’” he states.
Navigating Conversations with the Younger Generation
As a parent, Rose grapples with the complexities of AI’s influence on his children. After using OpenAI’s video generation tool Sora to create videos featuring tiny Labradoodles, his kids curiously inquired about acquiring such puppies. His struggle to explain the distinction between digital magic and reality highlights the awkward conversations parents may face in an AI-driven world.
To ease the gap, he likens AI to movie magic: just as children understand that actors don’t genuinely fly on screen, he wants them to grasp that AI-rendered puppies aren’t real.
A Positive Outlook on AI in Entrepreneurship
Despite his concerns regarding wearables, Rose holds an optimistic view of AI’s broader implications for entrepreneurship and venture capital. He observes, “The barriers to entry for entrepreneurs are shrinking daily.” He recalls a colleague who utilized AI coding tools to build an app during a drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco—a task that would have previously taken significantly longer and involved numerous errors.
Rose foresees rapid advancements in AI tools, predicting that upcoming releases, like Google’s Gemini 3, will streamline coding processes even further. “High school coding classes will become ‘vibe coding classes,’ leading to the next billion-dollar startups emerging from random high schools,” he posits, suggesting that we are on the cusp of a new era in entrepreneurship.
Evolving the Venture Capital Equation
These technological shifts are reshaping the dynamics of venture capital. Entrepreneurs can now afford to delay fundraising until it’s essential or even bypass external funding altogether. “This transformation in the VC landscape is going to be beneficial,” Rose asserts.
Many VC firms are responding to these changes by employing more engineers, akin to Sequoia Capital, which has hired as many developers as investors. However, Rose believes this isn’t the optimal solution. He contends that the core value of venture capital will undergo a fundamental shift. “Entrepreneurs will face emotional challenges, not just technical ones,” he asserts. VCs who possess high emotional intelligence (EQ) and can act as long-term partners will be more sought after.
Qualities Rose Seeks in Founders
When evaluating investment opportunities, Rose draws upon sage advice from Larry Page, co-founder of Google, who once told him that it’s essential to have “a healthy disregard for the impossible.”
“I want founders who aren’t just polishing the rough edges but are aiming for grand ideas that others might label as crazy,” he shares. “Even if a bold vision doesn’t succeed, we value the founder’s mindset and are willing to support them in future endeavors.”
Conclusion: A Balanced Perspective
Kevin Rose’s intricate view on AI hardware investments intertwines skepticism with optimism. He sees wearables as needing more than just technical prowess; they must resonate on an emotional level. With the rapid advancement of AI technologies and their impact on entrepreneurship, he remains hopeful for a future where these innovations will reshape the landscape of venture capital for the better. In a world of constant change, balancing innovation with emotional awareness will be crucial for investors and entrepreneurs alike.
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