Welcome to my tiny corner on the internet, a personal space where I explore my interests and share what I'm learning, creating, and working on. I'm Alta, a creative generalist who loves to craft and build things and tries to use technology for a multitude of noble purposes: increasing individual freedom, promoting mental health, delving into philosophy, extending the human lifespan, ensuring the safety of Artificial Intelligence, and reducing Existential Risks. As someone deeply invested in Design Thinking, I'm committed to contributing towards a future marked by responsible innovation.

My daydream lately is trying to figure out how to crack the human brain to make learning as irresistible as scrolling through Instagram and as easy as binge-watching your favorite shows.

Always a bit of a rebel, my insatiable curiosity led me down a winding path rather than a well-trodden path. While my friends were busy stressing over college applications and career plans, I was knee-deep in building my first startup. My thirst for knowledge often landed me in hot water, leading to my expulsion from three boarding schools by the time I was 15. Let's just say, I had a thing for "forbidden" books and a rebellious spirit that wouldn't be tamed. 

This rebellious spirit, paired with a thirst for knowledge, has fueled my lifelong journey of exploration and self-discovery. While I may not be the next Hedy Lamarr or Leonardo Da Vinci, I resonate with the idea of embracing diverse passions and constantly seeking new knowledge. I believe there's something truly magical about exploring a wide range of interests and embracing the inner "polymath" within all of us.

My journey has been anything but linear. I've never had a clear-cut career path laid out in front of me. I've always followed my curiosity wherever it led, which has taken me on some exciting adventures. Growing up, I was a curious kid with a wide range of interests, from studying history, watching sci-fi and reality shows, daydreaming about space exploration, playing soccer, and composing music with the marching band as a pianist. My passions were as diverse as the many places I called home during my childhood, with each new experience adding another layer to my ever-evolving identity. While I didn't have a clear vision for my future then, I knew deep down that I wanted to contribute to creating a better future for all beings.

As a teenager, this desire to make a difference led me to believe that a political career was the most effective way to positively impact the world. Eager to contribute, I joined a political party and several non-governmental organizations. However, my youthful idealism clashed with the realities of the system, and I realized that meaningful change could be achieved in many different ways. This led me to explore psychology and philosophy to understand the human mind better and what drives us.

Through all these twists and turns, two constants remained: my love for art and my fascination with technology. I'll always be grateful to my elementary school teacher, who not only demystified the inner workings of computers and introduced me to the world of software design but also spent countless Thursday afternoons geeking out with me over the latest tech trends. Those early experiences laid the foundation for my ongoing exploration of how design and technology intersect to shape our world.

This lifelong fascination with technology and a desire for efficiency has cultivated a knack for creating streamlined workflows and systems. I've become experienced at designing, organizing, and optimizing processes, a skill sharpened by a childhood that required me to create structure and stability for myself. Like many adults who experienced less-than-ideal childhoods, I've become my own caretaker, crafting meticulous systems for every area of my life. These self-designed systems have brought order to chaos in my life and have become essential tools for thriving in today's fast-paced and information-saturated world. 

In February 2020, just as the pandemic was about to turn the world upside down, I co-founded Yeshello. I was ready to embrace remote work and had planned an epic train journey from Vietnam to Europe. But when the pandemic hit, my friend and I decided to go to Bali instead and have lived in Bali ever since. Building a startup during a pandemic was challenging, but it fueled my resilience and adaptability. Thankfully, I already knew how to work effectively with my co-founders, which made building our remote team a breeze. I cherish those hard-earned lessons with my team.

Our little startup was acquired at the end of 2023, leading to my decision to exit. I immediately started my sabbatical, which has given me time to consider my next chapter. I'm currently reflecting on how I can contribute to a better future for all. My focus now centers on Existential Risks. I've been immersing myself in the study of ethics in the realms of data science, AI, responsible innovation, as well as machine learning and the ongoing impact of climate change on our planet.

Lately, two questions have been preoccupying my mind:

How are we designing our future?

How is that design shaping us?

If you've read this far, you've caught a glimpse of who I am. If you want to share your thoughts, discuss my questions, explore potential collaborations, or simply connect, drop me a line at hi@altaficial.com.