#onebillionhappy – an engineer’s moonshot takes on artificial intelligence
NEW YORK, NY – March 20, 2018 #onebillionhappy may seem a far cry from Google [x], but Mo Gawdat sees the need to prioritize happiness to shape artificial intelligence that drives much of today’s technology. That’s why he forfeited his life as chief business officer at Google [x], perhaps the most innovative lab on the planet, to dedicate himself to #onebillionhappy.
“We are replicating human intelligence with machine learning. Just like an 18-month-old infant, we are teaching machines to learn by observing a modern world. They see a world full of illusions, greed, obsessions, ego and disregard for other species. We need to fill the world with compassion and kindness if this is what we want to pass on to future generations.” – Mo Gawdat
“We’re living in our grandparents’ science fiction era. While we develop solutions intended to make our lives easier and richer, nearly one fourth of all people worldwide are clinically depressed, with a greater number unhappy and dissatisfied. Happiness has taken a back seat to material success.” – Mo Gawdat
Watch the video: youtu.be/G7BkixWHG8o
Why #onebillionhappy?
“It is predicted that by 2029 the intelligence of the machines we’re building will surpass our own human intelligence and, believe me, machines are learning from the value system they observe. We now have a choice – Are we going to value greed, selfishness and fear? Or love, compassion and trust?” – Mo Gawdat
“How do you contain these artificially intelligent machines? You don’t. The best way to raise wonderful children is to be a wonderful parent.” – Mo Gawdat
Realizing that, despite his success, he was terribly unhappy, Mo began building his happiness model in 2001. A systems engineer by profession, he attacked the problem by examining provable facts and applying logic. Thirteen years later, Mo’s algorithm was put to the ultimate test after the sudden death of his son, Ali. In dealing with this horrible loss due to a medical error, Mo found his mission: to continue Ali’s peaceful legacy by helping as many people as possible become happier.
“Happiness is a choice, and we have the power to shape a happy future.” – Mo Gawdat
Join the #onebillionhappy global movement
Here’s what you can do to build a legacy of compassion, kindness and happiness for future generations:
- Make happiness a priority for yourself; share your happiness – pay it forward.
- Tell two people about #onebillionhappy; ask them to tell two people. It’s an exponential movement that can change the world.
- Share the #onebillionhappy video.
- Visit #onebillionhappy.org and sign up for our enews updates.
About #onebillionhappy
Making one billion people happy is Mo Gawdat’s goal in life. This personal moonshot is Mo’s mission to deliver his happiness message to one billion people around the world to honor the peaceful life of his son, Ali, who passed away unexpectedly during a routine medical procedure.
facebook.com/onebillionhappy-649564311880572 twitter @onebillionhappy
About Mo Gawdat
After working for IBM and Microsoft, Mo landed a job at Google and helped start the platform in more than 50 emerging markets across the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe. He then joined Google [x] as chief business officer and lived at the cutting edge of technology. Mo Gawdat is the author of Solve for Happy: Engineer Your Path to Joy, an international bestseller translated in 28 languages. He left Google [x] in February 2018 to dedicate the rest of his life and resources to #onebillionhappy.
About Solve for Happy: Engineer Your Path To Joy (Gallery Books Trade Paperback; January 2, 2018)
Mo Gawdat’s book shares an engineer’s search for happiness, a topic traditionally approached from a spiritual or psychological perspective. Through 12 years of research, Mo created an algorithm to reach a state of happiness regardless of life’s circumstances. Mo believes that no matter what obstacles we face, what burdens we bear, what trials we’ve experienced, we can all be content with our present situation and optimistic about the future.
-happy ending-