Code, Community, and Cowboy Boots

Send us Fan MailThis week's RESET with Tonya shares a story about a lifelong technologist building a sanctuary for Silicon Valley's brightest minds to escape the digital world. Mike Prince, serial entrepreneur and AI pioneer, takes us on a fascinating journey from his early programming days to his vision of our AI-powered future.Originally broadcast on Pirate Cat Radio 92.9FM, the episode reveals how Mike began programming an Atari 2600 at age 10 and recognized something profound that would shape his career: "I could teach one person to do a job, or I could write a program that does the work of a thousand people." This insight led him through decades of innovation, from automating restaurant systems to developing cryptography for the armed forces.Mike focuses on what he calls "the end of the digital dark ages" - building AI agents that genuinely represent human interests instead of corporate goals. He explains how in the near future, each of us will have dozens or hundreds of digital agents working on our behalf, negotiating with other agents, filtering information, and arranging meaningful human connections. But this future depends on something critical that few are discussing: trust protocols that allow agents to securely identify and authenticate each other.Mike is also building "The Decelerator" at an 1838 ranch where technologists reconnect with analog skills like milling lumber, cooking over open fires, and engaging in deep fireside conversations. This beautiful counterbalance to our digital lives reminds us that true innovation will serve human connection, not replace it.Mike's philosophy is captured in his guiding principle: "Live long and prosper." He believes technology should extend our lives and enhance our well-being while giving us more time for authentic human experiences and nature. As he puts it, "If we embrace technology in the correct way, with it being benevolent to us, it'll give us more time to be human and to talk to each other in real life."Explore how technology can enhance rather than diminish our humanity. Connect with Mike on LinkedIn to follow his work on AI agents, trust protocols, and creating spaces where technology serves our deepest human needs.CONNECT WITH MIKE 👨🏼‍🌾"Agentic Profile" Blog: https://www.agenticprofile.ai/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-prince-7713/CONNECT WITH RESET 🎙️Podcast: https://www.reset-podcast.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tonyajlong-RESET LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/reset-with-tonyaInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/resetwithTonyaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570923056203CONNECT WITH TONYA 🚊LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyajlong/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyajlongFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tonya.j.long/Check out my bestselling book, "AI and the New Oz: Leadership’s Journey to the Future of Work" available on Amazon [https://a.co/d/aTBJmEr]. Go to the "AI and the New Oz" website at https://www.ai-and-the-new-oz.com/ to learn more! #thejourneyisthejob