Alex Khomyakov: Hello everybody and welcome back to the new episode of the Curiosity Code podcast. Today, we're diving into the intersection of artificial intelligence, human potential, and business transformation, exploring how deep tech and deep thinking can unlock massive impact on the real world. Joining us is Manuj Aggarwal, an AI pioneer, innovator, and entrepreneur whose journey has taken him from earning just $2 a day in India to advising Fortune 500 giants like Microsoft and IBM. As the founder of TetraNoodle Technologies, Manuj has led breakthrough AI strategies across healthcare, finance, education, and cybersecurity, helping organizations generate over half a billion dollars in value. He holds four patents in AI and machine learning, has a top 0.5% global podcast, and has been mentioned by leaders like President Obama and Bill Gates. Manuj is also a deep believer in aligning technology with human psychology, integrating neuroscience, mindfulness, and behavioral science into the way we design solutions and lead teams. Manuj, welcome to the show.

Manuj Aggarwal: Thank you so much. Just a correction, I did not share the stage with Obama and Bill Gates. They actually mentioned my work on their own stages. So I just want to make sure that that's correct.

Alex Khomyakov: Yeah, thanks for the correction. I was reading through the intro and was like, wow.

Manuj Aggarwal: Yeah, I just want to set this record straight because these days, you know.

Alex Khomyakov: That's a good one. Anyway, Manuj, I'd like to start from the very beginning. What's interesting about your journey is that you began your career with just three dollars in your pocket and went on to build a global AI advisory firm. What mindset or belief helped you bridge that gap?

Manuj Aggarwal: I don't think there is a specific mindset or plan that I had in mind. I basically just fell in love with technology early on. I started my career as a software engineer. The cool part was realizing that I could write lines of code on my computer, copy that code onto other machines, and it could help hundreds of other people. That was the mindset I had — technology is so powerful that I can impact thousands or tens of thousands of people. As I delved deeper into technology, I learned about more powerful technologies like AI and blockchain, which helped me reach an even wider audience. The mindset is about helping more people and improving their lives and businesses through technology.

Alex Khomyakov: Yeah, that's interesting because there are many developers who stick to professional growth within the confines of being a developer and don't venture beyond that into business management or advisory roles. What was the turning point for you when you realized you wanted to do more than just code? You wanted to work with people and advise them on technology.

Manuj Aggarwal: It's a bit of curiosity about how the world works. When you understand technology, you start asking, who is influencing technology decisions? How are people using it? How do they invest in it? That curiosity leads you to the realization that business people often make technological decisions without fully understanding technology. By interacting with executives, you learn that to make more impact with technology, you must step beyond daily software engineering and work with higher-level people who influence policy or control funding. You also start leading teams, which pushes you higher up the chain. Finally, you need self-confidence and self-awareness to interact with these people and handle negative feedback. If you step outside your comfort zone and engage with more successful and influential people, you grow.

Alex Khomyakov: You talk a lot about using inner potential to fuel external innovation. How do you think personal development connects to building transformative technology?

Manuj Aggarwal: At the end of the day, the world does not give you what you want. We all desire success and recognition, but we often don't see ourselves as worthy of it. Many people claim they deserve success, but if you ask them to look in the mirror and see themselves as worthy of the success they desire, the answer is often no. Personal development, neuroscience, psychology, it's about changing your mindset — believing you are worthy of success now. When you see yourself as deserving, the world starts recognizing you accordingly. Success lies within you, not outside. AI can help change your mind from the inside out, offering effective methods to achieve personal growth quickly.

Alex Khomyakov: Any particular tips on how to use AI to get there?

Manuj Aggarwal: Absolutely. We have a proven framework based on 30 years of research, peer-reviewed by the Mensa Foundation and published in their scientific journal. It's cutting-edge science based on five pillars. The first is purpose. Many have heard of Simon Sinek's "Start with Why." A strong purpose helps you withstand setbacks. Using AI, we create a digital twin of a person. This digital twin helps find your purpose within 15 minutes and assists in decision-making aligned with that purpose. Second is identity. Identity is a set of stories and beliefs about oneself. A digital twin can feed you positive narratives, shifting perspectives and clarifying your mind. Third is relationships, as humans need help from others. AI can help us communicate effectively and build relationships. Fourth is creativity, needing courage to try new things. With AI, you can improve incrementally and steadily. Lastly, time and peace of mind. Agentic AI can give you back time, allowing strategic thinking and growth. These five pillars can be implemented by anyone for significant benefits.

Alex Khomyakov: That's impressive and a bit scary. Just today, there was an outage of OpenAI, and I felt lost without it. It shows our dependency. How do you address the problem of over-reliance on AI?

Manuj Aggarwal: It's interesting because each technology evolution leads us to dependency. Would you want to live without the wheel, fire, or electricity? Cars were once unsafe and called the devil's vehicles. Now we have self-driving cars. Chad GPT is young, and such hiccups are part of technological evolution. It's leading to better innovations and more comfortable lives, despite the initial challenges.

Alex Khomyakov: Let's switch gears and discuss enterprise AI adoption. You've advised Fortune 500 companies. Where do enterprises often go wrong?

Manuj Aggarwal: AI has been around since the 1960s, and major corporations have used it for decades. For example, Amazon and Walmart's competition was decided by AI, not logistics alone. Many companies use AI superficially, missing its full potential. True AI utilization requires thinking AI-first. Suppose a business wants to grow. Instead of traditional steps, create automated AI agents to streamline processes. By thinking AI-first, you accomplish more with fewer steps. Enterprises often don't utilize AI's full power, requiring guidance from experts who understand both the technology and the human mind.

Alex Khomyakov: What about smaller companies? How can they adopt AI without massive budgets or data science teams?

Manuj Aggarwal: Many startups offer basic AI functions, which giants can easily replicate and surpass. Instead, focus on human alignment with AI, such as emotional intelligence. Regional solutions are needed since cultures differ. Consider AI like Microsoft Excel; although it's universal, experts tailor it for specific needs. AI giants will continue rolling out features, becoming smarter. Smaller companies should provide refined AI solutions, acting as intermediaries between raw AI and user needs.

Alex Khomyakov: In regards to legislation and governance, especially in places like the UK and EU, are you optimistic about bias, transparency, and accountability in AI?

Manuj Aggarwal: Bias reflects human consciousness since AI uses human-generated data. Reducing bias in AI requires addressing human bias. Governance and accountability are crucial in high-risk areas, but more leeway exists in less critical contexts. For government roles, traditionally, they've lagged behind. Governance will likely be led by technologists who truly grasp the issues.

Alex Khomyakov: Let's return to discussing mindset and mindfulness. What mental models or practices do you rely on?

Manuj Aggarwal: I use my digital twin, fostering positive stories. Daily meditation and yoga help too. In this era, doing less is crucial. The hustle culture suggests constant work, but AI allows achieving more with less effort. Historically, technology made life simpler, e.g., cars shortened errand times. Technology creates opportunities when your mind is relaxed.

Alex Khomyakov: Considering AI's impact, how do you envision human-AI collaboration in 10 years?

Manuj Aggarwal: In 10 years, many tasks will be automated. Collaborations will revolve around emotional impact rather than products or services. Direct emotional enhancement using AI is likely. While it may sound like science fiction, technology will continue evolving, influencing our experiences significantly.

Alex Khomyakov: Let's wrap up by discussing today's AI-first workplace. What skills are most in demand?

Manuj Aggarwal: Beyond basic skills, emphasis should be on cultivating communication, emotional intelligence, and creativity. These will be vital. Technology may replace certain hard skills, but soft skills are irreplaceable. Future presentations might be music or art-infused, ensuring engaging idea exchanges.

Alex Khomyakov: Especially with the capabilities of recent AI models, these are fascinating times. Manuj, thank you for being part of the show. This was a great conversation about AI and the future.

Manuj Aggarwal: Absolutely, it was an honor.

Alex Khomyakov: And to our listeners, thank you for listening until the end. Don't forget to hit the like button on YouTube, subscribe to the channel, or leave comments on the podcast platform you're using. See you in the next episode. Bye-bye.