Preparing for a World of Artificial Intelligence after Prison
When I went into the prison system in 1987, I didn’t have any way of knowing how drastically the world would change. Fortunately, leaders convinced me that I should spend my time inside preparing. Regardless of what obstacles the prison system presented to learning, I could always work to improve skills in reading, writing, communication, and critical thinking. A commitment to personal development accelerated my adjustment to society when I concluded my obligation to the Bureau of Prisons, in 2013–after 26 years as federal prisoner 16377-004.
People serving time in prison today have more clarity on how the world is changing. It’s changing because of Artificial Intelligence (AI). I highly recommend that people develop skills that will help them function in a world of AI.
A basic understanding of Artificial Intelligence will open many opportunities for people who transition into society after time in prison. In my business, I use AI every day. Part of using AI, however, requires that I learn about AI.
To use AI effectively, we first must build a knowledge base. We need to teach the AI machines how who we are, how we think, what we’re doing. If we can create a knowledge base that shows the AI Machine what we’re striving to achieve, the AI will learn. It can begin to act as our proxy, offering suggestions that will accelerate our progress.
People who are in prison today may not have access to artificial intelligence. Yet if they are proactive, they can begin building a knowledge base. To get started, they should hire a team to build a personal website. That personal website should feature all their writings, all the steps they’re taking to advance them as a candidate for success.
The personal website should become a knowledge base. It should show every step the person has taken to prepare for success upon release. It should highlight every book the person has read, every course the person has completed, and every achievement that the person wants the world to understand. Through those efforts, the individual will build a personal knowledge base that teaches AI. He will have his own AI engine that he can use to create income opportunities upon release.
I use this strategy every day.
A person doesn’t need financial resources, however. We offer that opportunity through a website that our nonprofit sponsors. It’s called Prison Professors Talent (PPT). We encourage people in federal prison to begin building a personal profile on PPT. It’s free! Our nonprofit will pay for the technology development, and also for the people to publish the work you send. It’s simple. Either have your loved ones visit Prison Professors Talent and open a profile for you. Or, in the alternative, send an email invite to Interns@PrisonProfessorsTalent.com. Once you open a profile, you should write your biography. You should write daily journal entries. You should write book reports. You should write about your release plan.
Your writings will turn into a personal knowledge base that teaches AI who you are and the reasons why you’re extraordinary and compelling. You will need that engine when you get out. It will help you open income opportunities in the same ways that I open income opportunities.
In essence, AI will change the world more than television, the radio, and even the internet. It will become a bridge from prison to prosperity for those who prepare well. You may not be able to use AI today, but you can definitely start working to build a personal knowledge base. Without that knowledge base, you will not have as many opportunities to navigate the next chapter of your life with confidence and competence.
Critical Thinking:
If you become part of our community at Prison Professors Talent by documenting your preparations for success, you may want prompts on what to write about in your daily journal. Consider the following:
- Describe the last book you wrote. Tell us why you read that book. What did you learn from reading that book. In what ways will that book accelerate your prospects for success upon release?
Remember, I will never ask anyone to do anything that I did not do while I was in prison, and I will never lie to you. If you want to succeed at a high level upon release, I highly encourage you to develop skills that will help you overcome the crisis that follows confinement.
Respectfully,
Michael Santos,
Founder, Prison Professors
