Over the past 15 years, as smartphones became ubiquitous, gamification evolved from a tool for habit formation into a mechanism used by tech giants to create psychological dependencies, similar to slot machines, with features like pull-to-refresh and infinite scroll. I’ve always found it interesting that we refer to people as “users” both in the context of software and substance addiction. My guest today, Ramsay Brown, studied this phenomenon deeply at the University of Southern California, where he earned a master’s in neuroinformatics. His research focused on how the human brain develops habits, behaviors, and addictions. He later co-founded Dopamine Labs, aptly named for its focus on these psychological triggers. 

Ramsay Brown is currently grappling with these issues as the CEO of Mission Control AI, a company dedicated to helping businesses adopt generative AI technologies. Recognizing that many employees are not yet familiar with using chat interfaces like ChatGPT intuitively, Mission Control AI addresses this challenge by enabling workforces to effectively leverage AI tools. By empowering teams with these advanced technologies, Ramsay and his team help companies gain a competitive edge in their respective industries.

In this episode, we explore how incentive structures in our society and economy can lead product managers and users in opposite directions regarding value creation. We discuss the responsibility of product developers to add genuine value for customers rather than merely extracting it. Ramsay’s perspective, grounded in his academic background and leadership at Boundless Mind (formerly Dopamine Labs), offers a thought-provoking take on responsible product development. I hope you enjoy the episode and gain new insights into approaching product development more ethically.

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Inside the episode...

Ramsay’s early interest in neuroscience and his educational journey at USC

How Ramsay Brown's purpose-driven mindset and passion for solving complex problems have guided his career in various fields.

Why Understanding human behavior and the brain is crucial for making meaningful interventions and driving positive change.

How the availability of smartphones and the ability to collect and analyze data have created a living laboratory for studying and influencing human behavior.

Why Product Managers and Designers have a responsibility to create products that respect users' attention spans and mental and emotional autonomy.

How coordination and incentives play a crucial role in decision-making, and designers should consider the impact of their choices on both investors and end users.

The role of behavioral engineering in creating impactful technologies 

Mentioned in this episode...

STUDY: Social media copies gambling methods 'to create psychological cravings' - https://ihpi.umich.edu/news/social-media-copies-gambling-methods-create-psychological-cravings

Kardashev scale: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kardashev_scale

The Island by Aldous Huxley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_(Huxley_novel)

George Mack's Midwit Meme Guide to life: https://x.com/george__mack/status/1675251921551257601

Daylight computer: https://daylightcomputer.com/

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