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November 5, 2024: Why Make an Ethical AI Business Growth Assistant?
October 25, 2024: Applied Vertical AI is the Path Forward
October 3, 2024: Proven Success White Paper
Ethical AI: Path to Better Lives
By Ray Dela Rama
November 5, 2024
15 minute read
The world is really big. There are places where things work well and others where nothing seems to function — or worse, where governments work against their own citizens. I think there is some kind of infrastructure, the kind that makes us truly human. No matter who we are or where we come from, we should have a right for.
So how do we build systems that work for everyone, regardless of where they come from or what they struggle with? We need to rethink how we handle our economy and social systems. It should NOT be just for the people in the world who are living in a great government with high quality of life. It should be for everyone.
People in countries having better lives than the margin — that will not change the world. Empowering billions of people — will change the world.
What’s the Purpose of Proven Success?
I believe that the biggest threat to humanity is ourselves. Challenges like corruption, global conflict and violence, mental health crises, inequality, and even climate change are all tied to human behavior. And behaviors — at their core — are skills we can learn and unlearn. If people have clearer understanding of what they genuinely want (and don’t want), along with having the tools and motivation to reach those goals, we’d see a massive shift.
Our main purpose and goal at Proven Success is to make real personal growth knowledge available to everyone. I want to give people the power to develop the skills they need that directly improve their lives. And I believe AI can help us make this happen faster than we’ve ever seen before. Getting it to scale is actually the thing that truly matters.
Why Make an Ethical AI Business Growth Assistant?
Most of us spend a huge part of our lives working. Yet, many businesses fall short when it comes to managing their people. Mass layoffs, lack of transparency, poor expectation-setting, and failure to align employees with the company’s vision are all factors that contribute to the mental health and productivity issues many people face.
I believe that there's a huge amount of wasted human talent because culture or managing people is not something we are all good at building. There's just a lot of really talented people in the world that are not working to their full potential because they work at a bad company, or they live in a country that doesn't support any good companies.
One of the things I'm most excited about with AI is I hope it'll get us much better than where we are now at helping get everyone to their max potential — which we are nowhere NOWHERE near.
A key issue is that many businesses fail to communicate why their company exists and why it should matter to their employees' lives — apart from the salary. This disconnect impacts people’s well-being and their drive to work hard to grow the business. People also need to understand what they truly want and don’t want in their lives. Without this self-awareness, it’s hard to find genuine alignment between the business and the employee. It’s in everyone’s best interest for individuals to be clear on their goals and motivations — so they can find the perfect fit, and the business can have people who genuinely want to work there.
Businesses fail most often because of mismanagement or a lack of proper planning. And the root of it all are the people: from executives and directors to managers and teams who carry out day-to-day operations. Success depends on every level working together toward the same goal.
Effective management isn’t complicated; it’s about clear communication, setting the right expectations, having hard conversations, and being transparent. It’s about giving and receiving pure honest feedback that helps people grow. When these basics are in place, productivity, morale, and discretionary effort all improve. That leads to higher-quality work, more output, and, ultimately, bigger profits.
Quality of life and quality of work go hand-in-hand. When people feel heard and understood, they’re happier, and they work harder. Happier workers give better effort — not because they have to but because they want to. This is called “discretionary effort.” When everyone’s doing their best and is clear on their roles, there’s less wasted time, fewer mistakes, and better results. This makes the company more profitable, which is why effective communication is a top priority for many successful businesses.
These concepts might sound obvious, yet many businesses overlook them. With rising mental health issues, workplace burnout, and the rapid evolution of AI, there’s a real need for tools that balance productivity with well-being. Proven Success AI is designed to fill that gap by using today’s technology to make meaningful, widespread change.
Part of our mission is to help businesses grow profitably while fostering a culture where people genuinely enjoy working together. Proven Success AI facilitates team alignment through clear goal-setting, team-building exercises, and actionable feedback. Daily prompts will help people build resilience, tackle personal goals, and learn to embrace failures, pain, and setbacks as part of their journey. By continuing to do the hard work, we’re not just growing a business — we’re building better lives for ourselves and, hopefully, solving real-world problems.
Privacy and Transparency with Proven Success AI
Proven Success AI respects that some personal information should remain strictly private. Users will have control over what they share, with rigorous data protection practices in place. This guarantees that while the AI learns from users, it protects their privacy by default.
The AI will be open about how it operates and where it sources its information. This includes communicating clearly about data use and providing insights into the reasoning behind the advice given. Transparency is key to building trust with users, making sure they feel in control of the AI’s influence on their personal growth journey. Continuous feedback loops with users ensure that the AI adapts to real-time needs and stays aligned with proven techniques for personal growth.
To avoid superficial or common biases, Proven Success AI draws from only high-quality, real-world experiences and advice from people who have overcome genuine challenges and made a meaningful impact. By learning from exceptional achievers who have proven their success through resilience, problem-solving, and positive change, Proven Success AI aims to reflect the insights that matter most.
What are the Real Benefits of Having an Ethical AI?
For me, having an ethical AI isn’t just about improving technology — it’s about creating a world where each of us can live happier, healthier, and more meaningful lives. Imagine waking up each morning knowing that what you’re doing matters, that you’re making real progress toward something exciting. That’s the kind of world I want to build with ethical AI. Here’s how I believe it can make a difference in some of today’s biggest challenges:
1. Fighting Corruption
Corruption takes away people’s chances to succeed. It drains resources and keeps the powerful in control while holding others back. An ethical AI could reduce corruption by tracking actions transparently, ensuring decisions are fair and open. I believe that a world with less corruption is one where everyone, no matter where they start, has a shot at achieving their dreams for the betterment of their lives and those they truly care about.
2. Reducing Global Conflicts and Violence
Conflict and violence often come from misunderstandings, stubborn pride, or miscommunication. Ethical AI could help people and leaders understand each other better, encouraging peace and cooperation. Imagine AI that nudges us toward respectful dialogue and empathy instead of aggression. I think a world that values understanding over power struggles is a world we all want to live in.
3. Improving Mental Health
Mental health affects every part of life, and sadly, many people feel isolated in their struggles. I hate seeing people go through this alone. An ethical AI could remind people to take care of themselves, suggest healthy habits, and connect them to resources and support networks. This isn’t about replacing human connections but about strengthening them, so people feel capable of handling whatever life throws at them.
4. Reducing Inequality
I grew up knowing what it’s like to have limited opportunities, and it bothers me that many people are held back by factors they can’t control. Ethical AI can make high-quality education, job training, and healthcare accessible to more people. It could help companies hire based on skills and values rather than titles or status. This means that everyone has a chance to succeed, no matter where they come from or what resources they start with.
5. Addressing Obesity and Poor Health
Obesity and poor health are taking a toll on people and on healthcare systems worldwide. I want people to live healthier lives, not just for themselves but so they can be there for their loved ones and enjoy the life they work hard for. Ethical AI could guide people toward healthier choices, helping them stay active, eat well, and accept stress. It also reminds us that taking care of ourselves isn’t just personal — it’s part of contributing to a healthier, less burdened world.
6. Boosting Productivity and Quality of Life
Many of us feel pressure to “do more” but don’t always feel satisfied or fulfilled by our work. Productivity issues aren’t just about working harder — they’re about working in a way that brings meaning and value. I see ethical AI as a tool that helps people focus on what matters, making work easier and more impactful. Imagine an AI that helps you marry your work and personal life, guiding you toward achievements that feel rewarding, while helping you solve good problems along the way.
7. Helping the Fight Against Climate Change
Climate change is a crisis that impacts everyone, and I believe ethical AI can help us make smarter choices for the planet. By guiding businesses and individuals toward sustainable practices, an ethical AI can help us reduce waste, conserve resources, and move toward a healthier planet. I want to be part of a solution where technology makes it easier to do what’s right for the Earth, so future generations inherit a world worth caring for.
The Bigger Picture: Purpose + Hard Work = Happy Life
Ultimately, I believe a happy life is a fulfilling life. For me, it means being able to create the quality of life we want — not just for now, but for the long run. It’s about finding a balance that lets us do things that genuinely bring happiness in the moment while also building toward a future we’ll be proud of. For most of us, that means setting meaningful goals, working hard to achieve them, and sticking with it, even when things get tough. Challenges are always there, and my hope for the future is that we’ll start seeing more “good problems” — the kinds of challenges that push us to grow, make life more rewarding, and give us reasons to feel grateful each day. A world with more good problems is a world where we can truly thrive.
But let’s be real — not everyone chooses this path, and sometimes people make choices that are outright destructive. Some people might find a twisted sense of fulfillment in actions like violence, crime, or manipulation. They may feel a rush of accomplishment or control in the moment, but I believe that kind of satisfaction is only fleeting. Those actions don’t build a happy life or a better future — they only lead to more chaos, more trauma, and more pain in the long run. And if we look closer, it’s often clear that these choices stem from unresolved trauma, from a deep place of pain that’s gone unaddressed for too long.
This brings me to trauma itself — something that shapes so many of us. Trauma is a permanent change in behavior caused by a negative experience, or “aversive stimulus.” It’s like touching a hot stove: if we get burned, we’ll probably avoid doing it again. That experience permanently changed our behavior, and in that case, it’s a positive change. Trauma doesn’t have to be all bad; it just depends on how we use it. It’s about whether we let that past pain limit us, or whether we use it as a driver for positive growth.
Unfortunately, not everyone gets a clear understanding of their trauma. They might not realize that it’s a behavior — a skill that can be unlearned, redirected, and transformed into something better. This lack of understanding can lead us to fall into the trap of blaming external events for our limitations. But here’s the truth: we’re responsible for what we do with that pain and suffering. The world doesn’t owe us understanding or sympathy. We owe it to ourselves to take action, to keep moving forward despite the tough experiences we’ve had.
In the end, it’s our response to the past that shapes our future. The moment we take ownership of our actions and choices, that’s when we gain real power. It’s easy to point fingers, to say “this happened to me,” but the only time we truly gain control is when we say, “This is on me.” It’s not about dismissing our pain and suffering — it’s about refusing to let it define us.
Why This Ethical AI Vision Matters to Me
I want to build an AI that doesn’t just “get things done” — it should help us live lives we’re proud of. Proven Success’ ethical AI is my way of helping people understand what they really want (and don’t want) in life and build the skills to reach those goals. This isn’t about success defined by fame or fortune but about the relationships we build, the problems we solve, and the lives we positively impact.
Imagine a world where schools teach real-world skills instead of theoretical stuff. A world where companies value employee well-being and growth instead of just working hard aimlessly. Workplaces where we look forward to working because they truly improve our quality of life. With ethical AI, we’d build stronger, more genuine relationships, working together on goals that match our values and dreams.
For me, it comes down to this: I believe we’re here to work toward something bigger than ourselves. That’s the kind of world I feel that we all want — a world where we wake up each day excited for the future, surrounded by people and technology that push us to be better. With less politics, less violence, less crimes, less bad problems. I believe ethical AI can help us build that.
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Read more about what we’re building here: https://provensuccess.co/
I’m finding a co-founder to handle tech development.
If you’re interested in growing a business from zero to trillions, care deeply about personal growth, love building AI, used to doing hard work, and have very big goals…
If you’re constantly thinking,
𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝒇𝒂𝒔𝒕!
message me on LinkedIn,
Ray
Know more about me here: Y Combinator Document
Read more about the benefits of applied vertical AI to employees, businesses, investors, and the world.
P.S. Read this if you want to be a co-founder of Proven Success.
Applied Vertical AI is the Path Forward
By Ray Dela Rama
October 25, 2024
15 minute read
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing how we live and work. But not all AI is made the same. Some types of AI make a much bigger impact, especially applied vertical AI — the kind that's built to solve specific problems for certain industries or tasks. It’s like having a tool designed just for the job you're working on. It speeds things up, saves time, and makes it easier to achieve your goals.
I believe what most people want is to just simply live a good life and have lasting happiness. With the way things are advancing with AI now, that kind of future is well within reach. I can see a future where AI can become your genuine friend who truly understands you and supports you in getting your ultimate goal in life.
Proven Success is committed to applied vertical AI. I’ll outline why I believe this kind of AI has the potential to benefit everyone — employees, businesses, investors, and even the world — and therefore a platform that will be around for the long term.
How Applied Vertical AI Helps Employees Like Us
Time is one of the most valuable things we have, right? Whether we're in an office, working remotely, or on vacation, it always feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day. That’s why applied vertical AI matters—it can take over repetitive tasks, guide us with clear steps to achieve goals, and help avoid mistakes that slow us down.
Think of it like having a personal assistant who knows exactly what tools and steps you need to fix a problem. It does the boring, heavy stuff so you can focus on the more important parts of your work. By giving you more time, cutting down unnecessary effort, and setting you up for success, applied vertical AI makes your workday smoother and more satisfying. It’s like having a coach and an assistant at your side.
With Proven Success AI, this goes even further. It's not just about doing tasks—it's about helping you grow personally and professionally. It helps us build skills faster, so we can be more productive and get closer to the things we really want—like a promotion, a better balance between work and life, or just feeling less stressed at work.
When I was working in corporate and as a freelancer, I didn’t quite understand the purpose of why I’m doing what I’m doing. Sure, I get a salary to pay bills and have some saved for the future. But there’s this feeling of emptiness inside of me. I was constantly thinking, “Is this it? Is this what I’m going to do for the rest of my life?” I’d work extra hours on evenings and on weekends just so that I could earn more money.
Needless to say, I got burned out four times in three years. I didn’t exactly know what the definition of burnout was back then – which is probably the reason why I could not solve that problem. Recently, I understood that the definition of burnout is doing something for an extended period of time without getting any significant reward in return.
When I thought about it, why am I getting burnt out if I’m getting more than enough money to support my living? By further analyzing it, it’s not the money that’s the reward I was looking for. It’s the praise, recognition, and enjoyment of working with great teammates. All of the companies I worked with didn’t give me any of those.
One thing I wished I knew 10 years ago was how to know what I want to do with my life – and which companies are the best fit for me to work with based on that. You know that cringey thing people say… “When you love your work, you won’t feel like working” – even though you’re literally working 60-100 hours per week. I think what they mean by that is even though you’re working very hard, you get to enjoy it because of the people you work with.
And when you find that kind of work, you’ll see yourself giving as much discretionary effort with work as with going on a trip to an exciting place or playing video games. I believe that’s how every workplace should feel like. That’s one of the features we’re working on in Proven Success.
How Applied Vertical AI Helps Businesses Grow
If you’re a business owner, leader, or even just curious about how businesses run, you know it’s all about working hard and smart. Businesses are always trying to improve efficiency and profits while keeping costs down. Applied vertical AI fits right into this goal—it helps companies run smoother and get better results with fewer errors.
Picture this: you’ve got a vertical AI system that looks at your business’s data and gives you clear, step-by-step plans to increase productivity and employee happiness. It helps you cut down wasted time, make less mistakes, and hit your growth targets with more precision.
That’s where Proven Success AI comes in. It offers tailored, industry-specific solutions that match what you want to achieve. Whether it's boosting team performance, keeping more customers, or driving innovation, this AI gives you clear, actionable steps to make it happen faster than you thought possible.
Many believe great products or big funding drive business growth. While that’s partly true, it’s the team — the people working every day to make things happen — who truly drives success.
It’s hard managing 10 people, let alone 10,000 people. It’s like having 10,000 babies ready to cry into oblivion because they’re not being attended to properly. Just like having a child is an obligation, hiring employees is an obligation too. Yes, you already approved them because of their qualifications and they understood what they need to do based on the job description… but it doesn’t mean you leave them hanging with a pile of work and zero accountability after that. We need to make sure that they can stand up and walk straight before we expect them to run at full speed by themselves.
Imagine having an AI assistant that helps you manage 10,000 employees and gives you an overview of which departments need immediate attention. You get insights on the specific problems and clear, actionable steps on the best course of action to solve them. How much headspace would that save you? How much time would that save you from meetings? How much more likely would you hit your target quarterly and yearly goals? And most importantly, how many of your employees would say that they genuinely love working at your company?
How Applied Vertical AI Is a Win for Investors
Investors want to see results, and most want to see them fast. Applied vertical AI gives companies a powerful way to deliver measurable results quickly and scale their operations efficiently. This means investors can expect faster returns with lower risks.
For venture capitalists, businesses using vertical AI are especially attractive because they’re able to solve specific industry problems quickly, which makes them more valuable, faster. By lowering operational costs and increasing success rates, these businesses are positioned for rapid growth.
If you’re playing the long game, Proven Success AI could be a game-changer. It’s set to revolutionize personal and business growth by offering scalable solutions to huge global problems like mental health, productivity, and worker efficiency. These are multi-trillion-dollar markets, making this a high-reward opportunity.
Imagine turning average achievers into hungry overachievers with a deep-rooted need to win. Imagine having the playbook of replicating success at a very high rate and giving that to the companies you support — they can access it 24/7, get your valuable insights on the go, and implement them to their business immediately.
How much joy and fulfillment would you get knowing that your partner has the motivation to go through tough times, the power to achieve their greatest goals, and actually see them get to that reality?
How Applied Vertical AI Can Make the World Better, Fast
I believe that applied vertical AI is necessary for a positive AI future. It can boost human productivity, creativity, and overall quality of life, while speeding up economic growth and pushing forward medical and scientific research. Applied vertical AI focuses on solving specific problems for different industries and people, making sure that everyone can benefit from it, and not just a few big companies. By making AI specialized and tailored to different areas, it can be used more widely and effectively in ways that positively impact people in their everyday lives.
There are discussions about whether applied AI is safe for everyone, and I believe that applied vertical AI can be safer than Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Why? Because it is designed with a clear purpose and focuses on certain fields or tasks. When it’s built for one thing, there’s less chance it will cause problems by accident. Imagine a robot designed only to help doctors—it won’t suddenly give advice outside of medicine. Vertical AI means being more focused, which naturally leads to better control and safer use.
When we think about AI safety, we need to think about two types of risks: unintentional and intentional harm. Unintentional harm is when the AI makes a mistake that no one planned for, like accidentally giving wrong instructions in a critical situation. Intentional harm, on the other hand, happens when someone deliberately uses AI to cause trouble. Vertical AI can reduce unintentional harm because it stays within its trained boundaries—like AI that only focuses on helping businesses grow won’t start suggesting medical advice.
Most worries people have about AI relate to unintentional harm, like what happens when billions of people use AI in their daily lives. By focusing AI on certain industries, we can make sure it's more transparent and accountable. It’s like having a clear manual for each AI tool. When AI is more specialized, people can understand its strengths and weaknesses, leading to better safety overall. Open conversations about its safety and how it works can ensure that these systems don’t surprise us with unexpected behavior.
When it comes to intentional harm, it’s also easier to manage with applied vertical AI because bad actors are less likely to misuse an AI that’s designed for a specific industry or task. Think about it this way: if AI is built to help companies train employees, it’s not as easy for someone to use that AI for harmful purposes outside of its focus.
Now, some might worry that countries with lots of resources, like China, might try to use AI to gain an upper hand. But here’s where having vertical AI that’s open and used by everyone makes a difference. If AI is available to more companies, schools, and individuals around the world, it will be harder for just a few powerful countries or businesses to control it. This means countries like the U.S. can maintain their edge through open and decentralized innovation. By spreading vertical AI widely, we can make sure that it becomes a tool for progress, not just a tool for a few powerful players.
If we look at history, the biggest tech companies and advancements today were built using open systems. Think about how many companies use open software to create new apps, services, and products. The same can happen with applied vertical AI. Startups, universities, and people in places that don’t have the resources to create advanced AI from scratch can all benefit from it. By building AI that’s specific and helpful for different industries, we unlock new opportunities for everyone, not just the big players.
The bottom line is that applied vertical AI is our best shot at using this technology to create a better, safer, and more prosperous future for everyone. When we make it open and accessible, we ensure that its benefits can be spread widely, creating great economic opportunities and safety for everyone.
Let’s Build This Future Together
The future of applied vertical AI isn’t just about tech—it's about improving our lives, making businesses stronger, and solving global challenges more efficiently. At Proven Success AI, we're committed to helping people and organizations achieve their goals faster, with less effort and sacrifice, and with a greater chance of success.
Together, we can create a future where no one has to unwillingly trade their well-being for success. A world where employees are much happier, businesses run smarter, investors see better returns, and we tackle global problems with precision.
Let’s make that world a reality, side by side.
By embracing applied vertical AI, we can all save time, reduce stress, and achieve our dreams faster. Proven Success AI is here to help me, you, your business, and the world get there.
Read more about what we’re building here: https://provensuccess.co/
I’m finding a co-founder to handle tech development.
If you’re interested in growing a business from zero to trillions, care deeply about personal growth, love building AI, used to doing hard work, and have very big goals…
If you’re constantly thinking,
𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝒇𝒂𝒔𝒕!
message me on LinkedIn,
Ray
Know more about me here: Y Combinator Document
Read more about why ethical AI is important to us.
P.S. Read this if you want to be a co-founder of Proven Success.