Qasar Younis: AI will transform farming, mining, and construction, reduce human suffering, and eliminate diseases over the next two decades | Lenny’s Podcast

AI's transformative potential rivals the Industrial Revolution, promising to reshape industries and reduce human suffering.

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Add us on Google by Editorial Team Mar. 25, 2026

Key Takeaways

• AI is poised to transform industries like farming, mining, and construction over the next decade.
• The emergence of AI is comparable to the Industrial Revolution in terms of potential benefits and risks.
• AI technology is expected to significantly reduce human suffering, akin to the impact of the Industrial Revolution.
• Over the next 20 years, AI could eliminate certain diseases and improve access to basic services.
• Misunderstanding AI’s implications is often the root of fear surrounding the technology.
• People tend to substitute anxiety and fear for the unknown aspects of AI.
• The term “AI” is emotionally charged, leading to misunderstandings about the technology.
• Technology can be used for both good and bad, and individuals must actively ensure its positive use.
• Hedge fund managers may not have the fundamental edge that is commonly assumed.
• Market sell-offs are driven by different motivations than societal anxiety about AI.
• The potential of AI to transform industries is immense, but it requires careful management.
• Education and understanding are crucial in addressing fears about AI.

Guest intro

Qasar Younis is the co-founder and CEO of Applied Intuition, a $15 billion AI company that develops software to help automakers, suppliers, and companies in trucking, construction, and agriculture deploy autonomous systems at scale. He previously served as COO and partner at Y Combinator, where he managed operations and advised portfolio companies, and earlier founded TalkBin, which was acquired by Google. His career began as an automotive engineer at General Motors and Bosch, and he holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Kettering University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

The transformative impact of AI on industries

• The real impact of AI in the next five to ten years really is gonna be in farming mining construction these industries they need autonomy and it couldn’t come soon enough.

  — Qasar Younis

• AI is expected to bring autonomy to industries that have traditionally been labor-intensive.
• The transformation will include increased efficiency and productivity in sectors like farming and construction.

• The real impact of AI in the next five to ten years will significantly transform industries like farming, mining, and construction.

  — Qasar Younis

• The shift towards AI in these industries can lead to reduced operational costs and improved safety.
• The adoption of AI in mining could revolutionize resource extraction processes.

• These industries they need autonomy and it couldn’t come soon enough.

  — Qasar Younis

• The integration of AI in construction could lead to more sustainable building practices.

AI as the new industrial revolution

• I think about this like the industrial revolution right so if you’re sitting let’s say in the late eighteen hundreds there’s a lot of you know we can focus on a lot of bad things that happened because the industrial revolution right you have child labor and you have monopolies emerging and you have abuse of you know wars end up happening but there’s also it’s an almost unimaginable present without the…

  — Qasar Younis

• The comparison to the Industrial Revolution highlights both the potential and the risks of AI.
• Just as the Industrial Revolution brought about significant societal changes, AI is expected to do the same.
• The dual nature of progress and challenges during the Industrial Revolution is mirrored in the AI era.

• The emergence of AI can be compared to the Industrial Revolution, highlighting both potential benefits and risks.

  — Qasar Younis

• The analogy emphasizes the importance of managing AI’s impact on society.
• Understanding historical context can provide insights into navigating AI’s future challenges.
• The transformative power of AI is akin to the technological leaps seen during the Industrial Revolution.

Reducing human suffering through AI

• I think net suffering in humanity… should go down and should go down significantly and I’m a fundamental optimist in that view that technology will bring that positivity in physical AI specifically.

  — Qasar Younis

• AI has the potential to alleviate many forms of human suffering.
• The benefits of AI could mirror those seen from the Industrial Revolution in reducing hardship.

• Technology, particularly AI, will significantly reduce human suffering, similar to the benefits seen from the industrial revolution.

  — Qasar Younis

• AI advancements in healthcare could lead to better disease management and prevention.
• The optimism surrounding AI’s impact is grounded in historical technological benefits.
• AI’s role in improving quality of life is a key focus for its development.
• The potential for AI to bring about positive societal changes is significant.

AI’s role in healthcare and services

• I think certain diseases certain inaccessibility to basic you know services suddenly start going away.

  — Qasar Younis

• AI is expected to play a crucial role in eliminating certain diseases.
• The technology could improve access to basic services, enhancing quality of life.

• AI has the potential to eliminate certain diseases and improve access to basic services over the next twenty years.

  — Qasar Younis

• The advancements in AI technology are poised to revolutionize healthcare delivery.
• AI’s impact on service accessibility could lead to more equitable resource distribution.
• The prediction of AI’s role in healthcare is grounded in current technological trends.
• The potential for AI to transform healthcare is immense and promising.

Addressing fears and misunderstandings about AI

• The core root of fear is misunderstanding.

  — Qasar Younis

• Misunderstanding AI’s implications often leads to fear and anxiety.
• Education and awareness are crucial in addressing common anxieties about AI.

• The core root of fear regarding AI is often due to misunderstanding its implications.

  — Qasar Younis

• Clear communication about AI technology can help alleviate public fears.
• The emotional response to AI is often based on a lack of understanding.
• Addressing misconceptions about AI is key to fostering acceptance and trust.
• The importance of education in reducing AI-related fears cannot be overstated.

Emotional responses to AI and technology

• We have anxiety about the nunchuck robots is because the human being doesn’t like that gap… you substitute that with anxiety and fear.

  — Qasar Younis

• People often fear the unknown aspects of new technologies like AI.
• The emotional charge associated with the term “AI” can lead to misunderstandings.

• The term ‘AI’ is emotionally charged and can lead to misunderstandings about the technology.

  — Qasar Younis

• Addressing the emotional responses to AI requires clear and effective communication.
• The psychological reaction to unfamiliar technology is a barrier to acceptance.
• Understanding the emotional aspects of AI can help in developing better communication strategies.
• The gap in knowledge about AI often results in fear and anxiety.

Ethical responsibility in technology use

• I think it’s it’s up to us to recognize this technology can be used for good and technology can be used for bad and I think that’s where really the the focus is so get to know it and then actively make the technology be used for good as a participant…

  — Qasar Younis

• Individuals have a responsibility to ensure technology is used for positive purposes.
• The dual nature of technology requires active participation in its ethical application.

• Technology can be used for both good and bad, and it’s important for individuals to actively participate in ensuring its positive use.

  — Qasar Younis

• The ethical use of technology is a shared responsibility among all stakeholders.
• Understanding technology’s potential impact is crucial for responsible usage.
• Active engagement in technology’s development can help steer its positive impact.
• The focus on ethical responsibility is key to technology’s future success.

Market dynamics and AI perceptions

• I think those are two anxiety within society and the sell off are two very different things… they’re part of the larger ai narrative but I wouldn’t conflate those two things.

  — Qasar Younis

• Market sell-offs are driven by different factors than societal anxiety about AI.
• The distinction between market reactions and societal fears is important for understanding AI’s impact.

• The sell-off in the market is driven by different motivations than societal anxiety about AI.

  — Qasar Younis

• Investor behavior is influenced by a range of factors beyond just AI perceptions.
• Understanding market dynamics is crucial for navigating AI’s economic impact.
• The narrative around AI in the market is complex and multifaceted.
• Differentiating between market and societal responses can provide clearer insights into AI’s influence.

Challenging perceptions of hedge funds

• They don’t have a fundamental edge that you would assume that somebody who sits in you know skyscraper in new york has…

  — Qasar Younis

• The common perception of hedge fund managers having a significant edge is challenged.
• Hedge fund operations may be more straightforward than often assumed.

• Hedge fund managers do not have the fundamental edge that many assume they possess.

  — Qasar Younis

• Understanding the realities of hedge fund operations can provide new insights into investment strategies.
• The sophistication of hedge funds is often overstated in public perception.
• Challenging these perceptions can lead to a more accurate understanding of financial markets.
• The claim about hedge funds highlights the need for transparency in financial operations.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.