“The relationship between people and machines is changing forever, and our expectations for how the world will evolve are changing too.
— Gartner

Table of Contents

1. Identifying the Early Opportunity
2. Human-Machine Convergence: An Historic Perspective
3. The Introduction of the ‘Logical’ Machine
4. Collaborative Evolution: Automation, Augmentation, Autonomy, and Trust
5. The Innovator’s Response: Machines Will Win…And So Will We

Executive Summary

Machines Will Win.

This statement may sound dystopian and alarming, but what it means in the simplest terms is that the next major evolution in technology is currently underway as the advancement of machines outpaces human capacity. 

This presents an unprecedented opportunity for technology to assume tasks that are repetitive, mundane, dangerous, and complex, and enables humans to focus on the things that only we can: the creative, emotive, ethical, instinctual, intuitive, and original.

The point at which machines are optimized to handle what they are best at, and humans can do the same, is the point at which technology evolves, innovation accelerates, and opportunity becomes boundless. 

We are at the outset of this convergence, and the evolution it is propelling is poised to disrupt and redefine the world in ways we can only begin to imagine. Indeed, it could exceed that of the great industrial and computing revolutions. Undoubtedly, it will create new industries, establish new boundaries, shift paradigms, solve existential crises, and open frontiers. 

We have a unique opportunity right now — at the beginning of this metamorphosis — to define the standards by which humans and machines evolve collaboratively. We can set the rules that will govern our world for decades to come and continue to realize social and fiscal value long after those rules have been established.

Moreover, we believe that as investors, we have a responsibility to shape this change. Because this change is coming, whether we want it to or not, and the earlier we engage with it, the more influence we can wield in forging a future that has the potential to be better for us all.

This paper explains the thoughts that guide our ongoing internal calculus, and it signals to our Founders, investors, and peers where our motivations lie.

It expresses a conviction that we believe to our bones.

About Bee Partners
Founded in 2009, Bee Partners is a preSeed venture capital firm that partners with extraordinary Founders with unbound potential building frontier technologies. We leverage a singular approach to detecting new and emerging patterns of business, as well as inside access to fertile but often overlooked entrepreneurial ecosystems, to identify early opportunities in large, untapped markets. Bee’s portfolio companies consistently realize growth at levels that outstrip industry averages and secure follow-on capital from the world's top VCs.

We’re always looking for the right partners.
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