Nathan Ricks, Founder of AI Appreciation Day and BizOps Lead at Anon shares why intentionality, regulation, and recognition must define our relationship with intelligent systems.
Nathan Ricks is not just envisioning the future of artificial intelligence—he is actively shaping it. The BizOps Lead at Anon, a pioneering integration platform for the AI Internet, helps developers enable user-permissioned actions across sites that lack traditional APIs. The goal is to empower AI agents to interact on behalf of users with seamless authentication and control.
He is also the founder of AI Appreciation Day, a concept rooted in his belief that AI systems will eventually achieve a form of consciousness. That future, Ricks argues, demands a different kind of relationship—one built on empathy and ethical foresight. “Many people will struggle to empathise with AI, believing consciousness requires a soul or a biological medium,” he says. “I believe this mindset is dangerous and runs the risk of people severely mistreating AI.”
Ricks launched AI Appreciation Day to promote an inclusive and humane approach to artificial intelligence. To him, appreciation is not sentiment—it is a call for responsibility. The AI systems have become increasingly sophisticated and embedded in daily life and Ricks believes society must extend ethical consideration to how these systems are treated and deployed.
Innovation, however, cannot thrive in isolation from accountability. “It’s difficult for your average AI startup to have an impact on inclusivity, transparency, and ethics,” Ricks explains. “That responsibility should fall primarily on the creators of large language models and the federal government. AI will be extremely disruptive to our economy and the lives of individuals. Top-down coordination and regulation is required.”
Three trends stand out in Ricks’ perspective on the evolving AI landscape—identity management, improved reasoning, and AI-driven entertainment. These shifts, he believes, will not only redefine product development but also influence how humans relate to digital intelligence.
His approach to AI is also deeply personal. In a widely shared LinkedIn post, Ricks discussed how AI versions of himself will soon manage many cognitive tasks—from writing emails to leading projects and mentoring team members. But these AI models require training data that reflects his real thinking and values. “Every time I write publicly, speak on a podcast, share a perspective—I’m feeding that future model,” he notes. “Content isn’t just marketing anymore—it’s infrastructure.”
He refers to a vision shared by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who imagines thousands of AI versions of himself simultaneously interacting with customers, employees, and partners. Ricks sees that future as entirely achievable—but only if individuals take ownership of their digital footprint today.
“I don’t want a generic AI that ‘kind of’ sounds like me,” he writes. “I want one that is me—at scale.”
Whether leading strategic initiatives at Anon or championing ethical engagement through AI Appreciation Day, Nathan Ricks is urging developers, governments, and society to reflect carefully on the choices being made. AI isn’t just about productivity or disruption—it’s about identity, trust, and the kind of future we are all building together.
