John Carmack is famous in the world of video games. He helped create classics like Doom and Quake. But now, he’s focusing on something even bigger — Artificial Intelligence (AI). He believes AI could change everything. And just like he changed gaming, he wants to change AI too.
His journey from coding fast-paced games to building smart machines is interesting. It’s also exciting. Let’s dive into how this tech legend is trying to shape the future of AI.
From Gaming Genius to AI Visionary
In the 1990s, Carmack changed how people thought about gaming. He created engines — the parts of the game you don’t see — that powered exciting 3D worlds. He was not just a game developer. He was a technical wizard.
Then, he moved into Virtual Reality (VR). He joined Oculus and helped it grow. Oculus was eventually bought by Facebook for billions. After VR, he found a new challenge: Artificial General Intelligence — or AGI.
Unlike regular AI, which is great at one task, AGI is smart like a human. It can learn, reason, and understand anything. That’s what Carmack is chasing now.
What Carmack Believes About AI
John Carmack has some strong opinions about AI. He thinks we can make powerful AI with today’s computers. He doesn’t think we need super machines or brain implants — just smart software.
- He believes AGI is possible within our lifetime.
- He thinks AGI can be built by a small team, not just big companies.
- He cares about safety — but doesn’t want fear to slow us down.
In 2022, he left Meta (Facebook’s parent company) to start a new AI company. It’s called Keen Technologies. He wants to build AGI on a small budget — kind of like how he built Doom in a small office with a small team.
What Makes Him Different?
Lots of people are working on AI. So, what makes Carmack special?
First, he’s a self-taught genius. He understands computers deeply. He also writes code by hand — and he’s super fast. He’s practical and doesn’t get lost in big theories.
Second, he’s independent. Many AI projects come from big tech companies. But Carmack wants to stay small, fast, and focused. He says it keeps things creative.
Third, he’s honest. If he thinks something won’t work, he says so. He’s not afraid to challenge popular ideas. That’s helped him in the past — and could help him with AI too.
What Is He Working On?
Keen Technologies is still new. But we know a few things about it:
- It’s focused entirely on AGI, not just making chatbots.
- It’s funded with $20 million, which is small by tech standards.
- Development is driven by Carmack’s own coding — he still writes the software himself!
He’s not just building a product; he’s trying to understand how the mind works. It’s about more than machines. It’s about intelligence itself.
Why This Matters
AGI could be one of the biggest advances in human history. Imagine an AI that can:
- Learn any subject in seconds.
- Help solve problems like hunger and disease.
- Create art, music, or even scientific theories.
Carmack thinks we can get there without waiting 100 years. That’s both exciting and scary. But he’s not rushing blindly. He talks a lot about safety. He wants to build an AI that helps people — not one that replaces them.
What Could Go Wrong?
Carmack is optimistic, but he’s not naïve. He’s aware of the risks. AGI could be dangerous if not done right. So, what are the worries?
- AGI could make decisions we don’t understand.
- It might be hard to control once it gets too smart.
- It could be used for bad purposes by bad people.
He says the key is to build it carefully. Even if progress is slow at first, it has to be done thoughtfully. Better to go slow and get it right.
The Carmack Way
John Carmack doesn’t build things the usual way. He doesn’t hire giant teams. He doesn’t make splashy ads. He sits down, writes code, tests it, and improves it.
This method worked for video games. It worked for VR. Now, he’s applying it to AI. It’s all about deep thinking, fast testing, and constant tweaking.
In Carmack’s world, elegance matters. He doesn’t like messy systems. He wants AI that’s simple inside but smart outside — easy to understand, but very powerful.
A Future Powered by Carmack’s AI?
No one knows if Carmack will be the one to build AGI. Many are trying. Google, OpenAI, and others are pouring billions into it. But history shows that sometimes small teams do big things.
That’s what Carmack is counting on. And if he’s right, we could be looking at a future where machines can think, learn, and help us grow like never before.
He once said, “I want AI that reads a book and gets smart from it — that’s the dream.”
He might just make that dream come true.
Final Thoughts
John Carmack is a one-of-a-kind mind. He has shaped gaming, changed VR, and now he’s aiming for AI. Instead of following the crowd, he’s carving his own path.
He believes AGI can be built by smart people with clear goals. No need for super fancy machines. Just good ideas and the right code.
Whether or not he succeeds, his work will push AI forward. That’s the magic of innovation — one idea can spark a thousand more.
And with Carmack behind the wheel, the future of AI just got a whole lot more interesting.
