From Automated Podcasts to Driverless Cars - Shaping our Future

We are pleased to share some of the latest thinking

by EdenBase Co-Founder and Partner Daniel Doll-Steinberg

It seems scarcely a month goes by without another mind-blowing technology becoming accessible to everyone. This September, Google gave us another glimpse of how quickly the world could change — if we are ready to embrace it.

I just had the chance to try Google’s new note-taking tool, NotebookLM. I can already see it becoming a vital part of our office, helping us generate actionable insights from meetings and critically assess discussions. One of its standout features is its ability to analyse and critique both large and small datasets to produce engaging, informative content, such as podcasts. Though still in its early stages, its potential is truly astonishing.

For example, I tested it by creating two podcasts. The first used data from a PowerPoint presentation, which was punchy and concise. The second drew from a draft of my entire book, including all the sections omitted during final edits filled with extensive discussions. The result? Two concise, insightful 12-minute podcasts. You can listen to the one based on the book here. NotebookLM’s ability to distil, enhance, and even critique information into easily consumable formats is nothing short of remarkable.

From an investor’s, or even corporate, perspective, tools like this are rendering some opportunities we were offered as cutting-edge just two years ago, already obsolete. But the broader implications go beyond note-taking or content creation. As these systems can be integrated further into everyday workflows, they could revolutionise how we process and value information, enabling new solutions that allow startups to rewrite our long-standing foundational rules.

In addition to NotebookLM, earlier this month in San Francisco, I also had the chance to ride in a Waymo driverless car for the first time, as the service became available to a broader audience. The experience was astonishing. The car arrived within minutes, unlocked seamlessly, and efficiently “drove” me to my destination. Over the course of four rides, I became accustomed to the ease and comfort of these autonomous vehicles, making my return to Uber a disappointment.

A compelling aspect of driverless technology extends beyond just transportation - it could reshape urban planning. Without the need for parking spaces or human-driven traffic congestion, cities could be reimagined with more green spaces, pedestrian-friendly areas, and reimagined logistics. The cities of the future could lay the foundation for entirely new ways of living and operating.

In the short term, considering that up to 6% of the global workforce is employed in transportation, innovations like this — more efficient and often more comfortable than human operated services — could dramatically reshape the job market. We might see a shift toward a “transportation-as-a-service” economy, where individuals no longer own vehicles but use them as needed. This could also open up new models where people even sponsor vehicles for personal and public use, creating a highly efficient transportation system for everyone.

While some may dismiss these advances as mere parlour tricks built on probability algorithms, their revolutionary potential is undeniable. What’s more, we are quickly becoming so accustomed to them they are blending into the everyday. Yet, both technologies will undoubtedly serve as foundations for new business models, while relegating existing ones to obsolescence…and fast.

It is also important to note that both technologies are owned by a single company, raising questions about the social and ethical implications. Who will control these powerful platforms, and how do we ensure they remain tools for empowerment rather than exploitation?

With all of this in mind, there has never been a more exciting and crucial time to invest in and support the founders and innovations shaping our future — a future we can all be proud of.