We Are on the Brink of a New Industrial Revolution—But We Have to Get Out of Our Own Way

We stand at the threshold of a new industrial revolution—one driven by the explosive potential of AI and data-driven discovery, ready to unwind the mess social media left us in. Let’s call it what it is: a renaissance of exploration and innovation, fueled by algorithms and human ingenuity. But here’s the brutal truth: we’re not going to actually get there unless we change our environment.

We need lower interest rates. We need a truly free market—one where any individual or small business can compete and succeed, not just the biggest players with the best lobbying power. We need unencumbered innovation without the constant fear of patent wars. We need freedom. And we need to get out of the damn way so the market can do its job.

I’ve seen firsthand how this works. When I started Briq—an automation platform for the construction industry—I had to fight the tide of skeptics who said, “You can’t disrupt such an old-school sector.” But with the right kind of investment environment, you can push boundaries. You can rally investors around a bold vision. You can create cutting-edge solutions that transform not just a single industry but the entire economic landscape.

Watch Out for Big Tech’s Hidden Agenda

Pull Quote: “If we place the future solely in Big Tech’s hands, we risk losing the very innovation we’re trying to spark.”

The Reality: Big Tech might talk a good game about “empowering startups” and “democratizing innovation.” But let’s be clear: their primary interest is protecting market share and swallowing promising upstarts. They have a massive competitive advantage—deep pockets, vast patent libraries, and unparalleled lobbying power—to stifle competition or acquire it on the cheap. If we’re not careful, we’ll see a new era of AI-driven solutions gated by the same handful of companies controlling our data, infrastructure, and even our imagination.

Action Step: While collaboration with large tech companies can be beneficial for scaling, don’t cede total control. It’s vital to maintain an environment where small companies and new entrants can thrive without being gobbled up or shut out. We must keep regulators from favoring tech behemoths and ensure there’s genuine competition on every level—from funding to go-to-market strategies.

From My Story: As CEO of Briq, I’ve seen how quickly well-capitalized giants move to replicate or squash ideas they see as threats. When your startup is a fraction of their size, it can feel like David vs. Goliath. The solution isn’t government bailouts or coddling—it’s ensuring an honest, competitive market that fosters genuine innovation over monopolistic strong-arming.

Three Steps to Ignite This New Industrial Revolution

1. Lower Interest Rates, Unleash Capital

Pull Quote: “Cheap capital fuels bold ideas; expensive capital kills them before they’re born.”

Action Step: Pressure policymakers and central banks to maintain lower interest rates. This allows entrepreneurs—and dreamers like I once was—to access capital more easily, invest in innovative projects, and weather the inherent risks of startup life. When rates are high, every new initiative comes with an outsized cost that can stifle creativity from day one.

From My Story: In the early days of Briq, obtaining capital on favorable terms was crucial. We had a daring vision—bringing AI and automation to a trillion-dollar construction sector that wasn’t accustomed to rapid tech disruption. If financing had been prohibitively expensive, we might have shelved key innovations that ended up transforming our product—and the industry.

2. Foster Unencumbered Innovation

Pull Quote: “Innovators need the freedom to fail fast and fail forward—without bureaucratic chains.”

Action Step: Streamline regulations and ease patent constraints so that small players can compete on a level field. Big companies often leverage their massive patent portfolios to crush emerging competitors, deterring real innovation. It’s time to even the playing field, so the next Briq can evolve without fear of being litigated into oblivion.

From My Story: Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve seen countless brilliant concepts end up in legal limbo. It doesn’t just kill that one idea—it discourages everyone else who’s watching. The spirit of the innovation economy is about testing boundaries and rewriting rules. We need a system that enables (and celebrates) that exploration.

3. Minimize Government Interference, Maximize Market Freedom

Pull Quote: “I’m a conservative at heart: get the government out of my way so I can build what the world actually needs.”

Action Step: Advocate for removing red tape, excessive subsidies, or bailouts that distort true market signals. Let the market decide which ideas should thrive and which should die off. This approach not only encourages personal responsibility but also ensures that only the most viable, value-adding innovations rise to the top.

From My Story: Building Briq taught me the power of operating in an environment where we could move fast, pivot often, and pursue avenues that real customers demanded. When regulatory burdens balloon or funding gets channeled to politically favored industries, we all lose the chance to discover the next big thing—whether that’s in construction, AI, biotech, or beyond.

Final Word: Get Out of the Damn Way

We’re on the brink of something huge here—a renaissance driven by artificial intelligence, data, and human inventiveness. The only thing that can stop us is our own short-sighted policies, excessive reliance on Big Tech giants, and cumbersome regulations. As someone who’s seen how transformative a free and dynamic market can be, my message is simple:

Get out of the way—and let’s light the fire under this new industrial revolution.

For every ridiculous idea that goes bust, there’s another that can revolutionize entire industries and improve lives on a massive scale. Let’s make sure our best innovators have the freedom, capital, and regulatory breathing room to make that happen—without handing over the keys to Big Tech gatekeepers who’d rather buy or bury the competition.

I’m all in—are you?