Hey Conscious Church Fam

It feels like every week the line between sci-fi and reality blurs a little more. From “thought-controlled” wearables to AI stepping into government positions, we’re watching society test out roles and responsibilities that, not long ago, belonged strictly to humans.

In today's recap:

• Alterego’s “near-telepathic” wearable lets you “speak” without words

• OpenAI is backing an AI-animated feature film 🎬

• AI voice agents are transforming eldercare and health costs

• Albania names an AI as a government minister

Let’s dive in 👇

💭 Josh’s Musings

I actually don't use that much of AI.

In the grand scheme of things and the possibilities and tools out there, I mean. Of course I have a few specific creative tools for image and video that I use. But outside of the core LLMs like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, I don't have any 'custom' agents or workflows or systems I use that make my work or life any easier or better.

Probably that's down to my line of work, and the tasks and operations that I do.

If your social media algorithm ends up pushing AI content to you, you might start to see all these possibilities - the automations, the systems, the workflows that promise to revolutionise everything. People building elaborate n8n chains and using AI Agents.

I get excited about these automated workflows and systems when I see them. There's something novel and exciting about the idea of having everything just... handled. But then I step back and realise: this would just be overkill for me. Not really necessary. And there's no rush or need to implement something, especially if it doesn't actually serve you.

I do use ChatGPT daily though, multiple times. But it's simple stuff - helping me think through a problem, drafting an email, crafting my image prompts, explaining something I'm curious about. The value is in the conversation, not the automation. It's like having a thinking partner who's always available, not a robot butler reorganising my digital life.

Maybe that's the difference. The LLMs work because they enhance how I already think and work. They don't try to replace my judgment or take over tasks I'm perfectly capable of handling myself.

There's this underlying assumption that more automation equals better living. That if you're not optimising and systematising every possible friction point, you're somehow doing it wrong. But some friction is fine. Some manual processes are actually pleasant. Some inefficiencies are human-sized and worth keeping.

So maybe this is just a reminder to me, but you don't have to force it just for the sake of it. The best tools are the ones you forget you're using because they fit so naturally into what you were already trying to do. Everything else is just digital clutter dressed up as productivity.

🙌 Stay Curious, Stay Conscious, Stay Wild
Josh

LATEST NEWS

🧠 NEAR-TELEPATHIC WEARABLE

Recap: Boston startup Alterego (spun out of MIT Media Lab) has unveiled a headset that picks up tiny muscle movements in your jaw and throat—letting you “speak” silently at the speed of thought.

The Details:

• Uses cameras to detect micromovements when you think about speaking

• Demo showed coding, texting, even silent conversations between wearers

• Works in noisy environments, handles multiple languages and “motionless” intent

• Originated in MIT (2018), spun out as a company in 2025, but no release date yet

Conscious Take:

I think it will be fascinating to see where we are in 5 years time with devices. What will stick, what won’t. Will wearable devices (not including the apple watch) be more normal. This device and tech looks pretty remarkable and almost like ‘magic’.

🎬 AI HITS THE BIG SCREEN WITH CRITTERZ

Recap: OpenAI is funding Critterz, an AI-assisted animated feature aiming to finish in just 9 months on under $30M—a fraction of Hollywood budgets.

The Details:

• Targeting a Cannes 2026 debut

• GPT-5 and image models will transform artist sketches into finished animation

• Human actors still voice the characters

• Characters were first designed with DALL-E years ago

Conscious Take:
AI isn’t just a background tool anymore, it’s front and centre. I don’t think people mind if AI has ‘made it’ providing, people still use their creativity and mind.

📞 AI VOICE AGENTS LOWER HEALTHCARE COSTS

Recap: A study from Emory University trialled AI voice agents to help seniors monitor blood pressure—and it worked, slashing costs and raising satisfaction.

The Details:

• 2,000 patients contacted, 85% reached, 60% successfully recorded readings

• Escalated risky cases to nurses automatically

• Cut costs by almost 90% compared to human-only systems

• Average satisfaction scored 9/10

Conscious Take:
This is technology at its best: assisting the vulnerable while working alongside nurses. Using these systems to gather and categorise data for action is an excellent application of computing.

🇦🇱 AI NAMED AS ALBANIAN MINISTER

Recap: Albania has appointed an AI system called “Diella” as its official government minister overseeing procurement contracts.

The Details:

• Announced by Prime Minister Edi Rama this week

• Diella will evaluate and award all public tenders

• Already serves citizens via Albania’s digital services portal

• Promised to cut out bribes and corruption—but oversight is unclear

Conscious Take:
This one feels like a warning shot. If even governments are handing authority to AI, how do we safeguard justice and accountability? Scripture reminds us: “The Lord loves righteousness and justice” (Psalm 33:5). But justice without accountability—whether human or digital—will always bend toward corruption.

“Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.”
— Psalm 119:66

Stay conscious,

Josh

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