Who Do The Robots Work For?

Posted on by David Lockie

I was honoured to give this talk at OSS Summit Amsterdam 2025; thanks to Automattic for the opportunity to represent the company. Tim Berners-Lee recently asked the defining question of our time: “Who Does AI Work For?” As AI systems move from our screens into our physical world—controlling our cars, homes, and cities—this question becomes […]

Intent-Driven Commerce: What E-commerce Can Learn from AI Agents and DeFi

Posted on by David Lockie

So yeh. The future of digital interactions is moving from "how" to "what" – from specifying steps to declaring outcomes. ChatGPT Pulse proactively delivers personalized updates based on your chats, feedback, and connected apps, anticipating needs rather than waiting for commands. Similarly, Uniswap’s cross-chain intents allow users to specify the end-state of a crypto trade […]

Content for Fun vs. Content for Purpose: Designing for Two Distinct Modes

Posted on by David Lockie

So yeh. Let me walk you through something that’s been rattling around in my head for months: How do we design for people who switch rapidly between utility-seeking and experience-seeking modes of content consumption? This isn’t abstract design theory. It’s a practical problem affecting every digital product. From AI assistants to content platforms, we need […]

SXSW 2025: AI, Physical Intelligence, and The Beyond

Posted on by David Lockie

So yeh. I returned to SXSW 2025 in Austin, Texas—the annual festival where film, interactive media, and music converge with technology and culture. I chose to focus on bigger stage events with mixed results. Some talks felt high-level and corporate, but others were exceptional. This post covers the key trends I observed, detailed notes from […]