FAQ'S
Welcome to the FAQ page, where you'll find clear answers to your questions about the content featured on the site, the resources I share, and the role of Layered Future in helping people to navigate the complex landscape of emerging technologies. Whether you're seeking deeper insights the importance of understanding the changes we're seeing, or the ways I provide information and discussion to you, the below information should provide answers to help you make the most of the platform.
Why did you create Layered Future? I set up Layered Future because I saw a real need to make the tech world more accessible, without watering down the important stuff. As we all know, technology is changing our lives and work faster than ever, but the way it's often talked about can feel pretty exclusive and full of jargon that many people don't get. That's where Layered Future comes in - it's a place where you can get your head around these big tech changes without needing a degree in computer science. With all the content I create for Layered Future, I try to keep the conversation smart but understandable. I am passionate about cutting through the tech speak and getting down to what these changes really mean for you and me. In doing so, I dive into the nitty-gritty, connect the dots beneath the surface, and try to visualise the bigger picture, so you can make informed choices and gain a clear idea of where things are heading. So I created Layered Future for anyone who's curious and wants to stay informed without sifting through the Internet and getting bogged down by overly technical terms. Whether you’re looking to make smarter decisions based on tech trends or just want to understand the direction of work and life in general, I hope that this site helps. My mission is to keep you in the loop with what’s happening in the tech world in a way that’s clear and makes sense.
Why do I need to know all this stuff? Even if technology isn't your thing, trust me, it's shaping your world. A lot of people don’t realise that beneath the hustle and bustle of everyday life, there’s an invisible layer of tech development constantly running in the background, researching and advancing at a rapid pace. You might not see it, but it's there, and it's definitely affecting you. That’s exactly why I think it’s crucial for everyone to have a grasp on what’s going on, even if it's just the basics. At Layered Future, I try to strip back the complexities of technology and make sense of how these advancements are changing your daily life, whether you're into them or not. It’s not just about keeping up with trends or knowing about the latest advancements in AI and the web. It's about understanding the changes that are coming your way, how they impact your job, what you do, and basically every aspect of how you live. These things matter because, like it or not, that invisible layer of tech is setting the scene for your future. So, whether you're tech-savvy or tech-indifferent, the information I share here is designed to keep you informed and prepared. My goal is to show you how technology is not just for the enthusiasts or the experts - it’s something everyone needs to know about because it's entwined with just about everything we do. Knowing this doesn’t just help you keep up - it helps you stay ahead, and make smarter decisions in a world where tech is forever changing the game.
Is Layered Future affiliated with any of the linked sites, tools or platforms mentioned? Absolutely not - apart from my Layered Future social media platforms, I have no affiliations with any of the sites, tools, or pages linked on this site. Any links I provide are solely for your convenience, offering easy access to literature, new tools, and resources that I believe are worth exploring. My aim is to help you discover resources independently, without any bias or compensation from these entities. It's crucial to understand that while I recommend checking out these links, their inclusion on my site does not constitute an endorsement of their content or an affiliation with their creators. I select these links because I think they will be useful in keeping you informed and engaged with the issues I discuss, not because I have any stake in them. Please note that I am not responsible for the content, accuracy, or availability of these external resources. They are intended for exploration and learning, not as guaranteed authoritative information. Therefore, I encourage you to approach these resources with curiosity and critical thinking, making informed decisions based on your own evaluations.
What's your opinion on the tech changes that are currently reshaping the landscape? I'm deeply curious and passionate about staying ahead in a world where technological changes are reshaping our landscape at breakneck speed. From my early days playing around with computers and gaming, to my lifelong interest in the transformative role technology plays in life, my recent journey has been driven by a desire for me and those around me not to be left behind in the AI and automation revolution. And I don’t want you to be left behind either. As we navigate this rapid evolution, my goal is to help us all keep pace with the latest developments and understand their broader implications. The rapid growth and advancements in the digital space both excite and concern me. We are moving towards a future where the digital world is likely to become as big a part of our lives as the physical one. This digital realm promises vast opportunities but also poses significant challenges, especially in terms of the speed at which AI is developing. The impacts of these advancements are already visible and will only become more pronounced, influencing every aspect of our working lives and education systems. However, I am pragmatic about these changes. Digital progression is an unstoppable force that brings with it obvious benefits—improvements in health, life expectancy, and standards of living. It has the power to reduce inequality and open up opportunities for people globally, particularly those in developing regions who have historically been at a disadvantage. Because of these benefits, I believe we need to learn to coexist with technology in a way that maximises its positives while mitigating its challenges. I think that navigating this landscape requires us to be proactive. We need to figure out how to capitalise on the opportunities that technology offers while safeguarding our interests and securing a thriving future in this tech-driven world. It’s not just about adapting to change but about shaping that change to work for us. This means staying informed, being ready to embrace new tools and ideas, and always looking for methods to use technology in ways that enhance our lives and careers. Ultimately, my perspective is that while we should approach the rapid advancements in technology with a healthy dose of caution, we must also embrace the possibilities with optimism. By staying informed and engaged, we can make our way through the complexities of this new era, ensuring we not only survive but thrive in a world where technology increasingly defines what we do.
How do you use technology in your own work and life? In both my professional and personal life, I integrate AI and automation to enhance what I do without compromising my unique thoughts, voice, personality, and vision. My use of technology is about elevating my capabilities and filling the gaps in areas where delegating tasks to machines won’t detract from or change my goals, aims or output. For instance, like most, I rely on digital tools such as Google Calendar for its clear structure and useful scheduling features. However, I also utilise platforms like Notion and Any.do, which help me to organise my thoughts, lay out my writing, and plan things in a way that aligns with my workflow. Early adoption of ChatGPT has significantly boosted my capability to access a vast range of information - I call on it as I would an expert in a huge range of areas. It has become indispensable to me as a critical tool to scale my thinking and bridge gaps in my own intelligence, and I benefit from its objective and measured responses every day. For automating routine tasks, I have used tools like Zapier, which can streamline workflows by connecting different apps and services to save valuable time. In my design work, where stock imagery would otherwise be used, I employ AI for image generation to quickly create visuals that more accurately align with my design requirements. I also use AI voice and music generation in my video work due to the bespoke outcomes these tools facilitate. However, as an artist, illustrator, and video maker, I much prefer creating my own original visuals and footage wherever possible. This combined approach allows me to maintain authenticity in my projects, while sticking to budgets and time constraints. Importantly, I have found that by integrating AI tools sensibly, I have been able to enhance efficiency without compromising the integrity of my creative practice. Moreover, tools like Google Gemini help me sift through communications and cloud files intelligently, and conversations with AI like Anthropic's Claude have ranged from brainstorming blog post ideas to discussing deep topics like the nature of reality. I view the tools I use as a workforce that speed up or amplify what I do and build my knowledge. In summary, I use technology not as a crutch but as a lever to improve my life. Some tools enhance what I do, while most just save me a lot of time. But regardless of what they add to my workflow, I always ensure that I use technology in ways that align with and support my individual perspective.
Are the images used on the Layered Future website AI-generated? Yes, the images used on the Layered Future website are AI-generated. In an ideal world, I would have created all the illustrations for the site myself - believe me, I wanted to - but my teaching, and freelancing commitments mean that time is in short supply. As such, I decided to dedicate what spare time I have to creating what I originally set out to do - writing the guides and articles available on this site. However, the decision to use AI in this way also supports my ongoing experimentation and exploration into the capabilities of image, video, and sound generation. To achieve a consistent visual style, I developed a unique set of prompts and experimented with various AI image generators to help me create visuals that are cohesive across the platform. This process has allowed me to fine-tune AI outputs to create illustrations that align with my creative vision. Also, while these images start as AI-generated, many have been manipulated and adjusted using digital processes. This is in part because of the current limitations of AI generated outcomes, but also because I am keen to explore the collaborative potential of AI in aiding the generation of unique outcomes that communicate artists’ ideas.