Introduction: Willpower in Action
Stanford neuroscientist Andrew Huberman describes the anterior cingulate cortex as the seat of willpower, emphasizing that “when we push ourselves to do something we don’t want to do, this area grows stronger. As it develops, tasks that once felt impossible become second nature.”
I’ve seen this principle come to life in my own journey, starting with running. During the pandemic, I challenged myself to run regularly, transforming from someone who hesitated to leave the couch to someone who could run for two to three hours nonstop. In November 2023, I completed the Ethiopian Great Run, Africa’s largest marathon, running 10 kilometers at an altitude of 2,355 meters without stopping. The effort was grueling, but the sense of achievement was unmatched.
What started as a test of physical endurance became a foundation for something much larger. That same willpower now fuels my dive into the unfamiliar world of artificial intelligence (AI), merging it with my lifelong passion: coffee.
From Humanities to Tech: Bridging the Gap
As someone with a rich background in philosophy, sociology, and geography, entering the tech world was daunting. I had never written a line of code and was overwhelmed by unfamiliar terms like machine learning and deep learning. But I reminded myself of how I had once faced similar challenges in Ethiopia. When I first arrived there, I knew little about the culture or geography, yet over a decade of research culminated in groundbreaking studies on coffee tourism.
With that same explorer’s mindset, I plunged into the AI ecosystem. I started by following online communities, reading introductory materials, and taking courses that demystified AI concepts. Slowly, I began to understand how machine learning algorithms and neural networks work. While coding remains a challenge, I see it as just another language—like the multiple human languages I’ve learned during my travels. My current focus is on mastering Python, which feels like unlocking the key to a new universe.
Coffee and AI: Uniting Two Worlds
What excites me most is the potential intersection of AI and coffee. My work as a human geographer taught me that seemingly unrelated industries—like coffee and tourism—can create synergies when brought together. AI offers similar opportunities to revolutionize the coffee sector:
– Imagine AI-powered tools that help farmers optimize coffee harvests by predicting weather patterns and soil conditions.
– Picture virtual coffee tours that transport participants to Ethiopia’s lush coffee forests or Japan’s bustling specialty cafes through immersive AI-generated experiences.
– Envision AI analyzing global coffee trends to help small businesses stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
These ideas are just the beginning. The journey of exploring AI’s potential in the coffee world is both challenging and exhilarating.
The Bigger Picture
Huberman’s insights resonate deeply with me. Just as my anterior cingulate cortex grew stronger through running, it’s now expanding as I tackle AI. This new frontier feels like an extension of the interdisciplinary, cross-cultural, and ethical approach I’ve applied throughout my career.
I aim to share this journey with others who, like me, are venturing into uncharted territory. Together, we can explore how technology can enhance our understanding of the world while preserving the human touch that makes coffee—and life—so rich.
Join the Journey
If you’re curious about how AI and coffee intersect or want to follow my adventures as an AI Geographer, stay tuned. This is just the beginning of a series where I’ll share insights, challenges, and breakthroughs. Let’s explore this exciting intersection together—where tradition meets innovation, and where coffee meets the future.
© Dr. Ohsoon Yun. All Rights Reserved.
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