Can You AI a Happy Life?
So with all this Artificial Intelligence (AI) in main street media, I started thinking ... Can "artificial" smarts contribute to real happiness?
On reflection, don't we need to cultivate our "real" intelligence to make wise choices about how to best optimize our short time on Earth as to maximize our long-term/life-long happiness?
HERE'S A CUT&PASTE EDITED AI ANSWER: AI has the potential to influence happiness by automating tasks, providing companionship, and offering personalized support.
For those of you folks who wanna poo-poo the goal of a happy life, here's my 2 cents: if we make the right choices, plant the right seeds, a do the work ... the fruits of our lives will look and feel a lot like the work: happy.
For the record, some people call Artificial Intelligence (AI) "A1" because U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon mistakenly referred to AI as "A1" (like the steak sauce) multiple times during a conference in April 2025, leading to widespread discussion and even a response from the A1 Steak Sauce brand itself. Her gaffe provided insight into the potential future of our public education system in America.
Given that opportunity to giggle a bit, what is happiness according to AI? A dude wrote this BLOG, and I expect it's not 100% off the mark.
Maybe a more optimistic question might be:
Which AI tool will make me most happy?
HOW DO GOOGLE AI, CHATGPT, AND MSFT COPILOT COMPARE?
Assuming nobody will actually read this far down in this BLOG, I typed in "Tony McLean Brown North Carolina" into three different AI engines to compare what got spit out. Let's be clear, there ain't nothing new out their in cyber-space. I just picked a topic that I could validate without any effort.
But before we get started, here's what AI had to say about AI:
Google AI (Gemini), ChatGPT, and Microsoft Copilot are all powerful AI assistants, but they differ in their primary focus and integrations.
- ChatGPT is a versatile, platform-agnostic chatbot ideal for creative and technical tasks
- Microsoft Copilot integrates deeply into the Microsoft 365 suite to enhance productivity within the Microsoft ecosystem. Gemini
- Google's flagship AI, leverages Google's vast knowledge base and integrates with various Google products, offering powerful, context-aware responses.
I'm not sure one is any better than the rest. What I'm even less sure is why AI is any better or worse than a regular Google search? It's probably too early in the tech development cycle to get excited about automating an internet search. Maybe more is to come?
Tony McLean Brown North Carolina from Google AI
management consultant, author, and philanthropist with strong ties to NC State University. He grew up in Enka-Candler, outside of Asheville, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from NC State, followed by an MBA from Duke University.
- Public Consulting Group (PCG): He is the Director of Strategic Investments at PCG, where he has held senior leadership roles since 1990. He has over 35 years of experience in public sector information technology, consulting, and systems integration.
- Other experience: Before joining PCG, Brown worked at Deloitte, General Motors, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Board memberships: His board service has included positions at the Cannon School, Integra Choice and Control (ICC), and Francis Asbury United Methodist Church.
- Author: Brown wrote the book A Happy Guide to a Short Life: A Response to Ms. Quindlen's Fine Book, published in 2007. The book is available through his website, HappyGuidetoaShortLife.com.
- NC State contributions: In 2024, Brown and his family pledged $1 million to the NC State Computer Science Department to create a distinguished professorship, graduate fellowship, and undergraduate scholarship.
- Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI): He and his family established the first endowment for NC State's IEI in 2022. Brown joined the IEI's National Advisory Board in 2020.
- Charitable initiatives: Brown is involved in numerous volunteer and philanthropic efforts, many of which are detailed on his "Happy Guide" website.
- NC State Hall of Fame: In 2022, he was inducted into the NC State Computer Science Alumni Hall of Fame.
- Distinguished Engineering Alumnus: In 2024, the NC State College of Engineering recognized him for his achievements.
- Wide-ranging hobbies: His notable hobbies include professional bull riding, NASCAR racing, mountaineering, ultra-marathon running, and being a certified pilot.
Tony McLean Brown North Carolina from ChatGPT:
Who He Is
- Name: Tony McLean Brown (PCG | Public Consulting Group)
- Profession / Role: Director of Strategic Investments (also Principal / Corporate role) at Public Consulting Group, Inc. (PCG). (PCG | Public Consulting Group)
- Industry Experience: Over 35 years in public-sector information technology (IT), including management consulting, systems integration, and operations within the healthcare, education, and social care sectors. (PCG | Public Consulting Group)
Background & Education
- Holds an MBA from Duke University (PCG | Public Consulting Group)
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from North Carolina State University (NC State) (PCG | Public Consulting Group)
- High school: Enka High School in Candler, NC. (PCG | Public Consulting Group)
Other Notable Activities & Personal Info
- Involved with a blog / platform called “A Happy Guide to a Short Life.” He shares thoughts on life, work, community, etc. (Happy Guide Tony McLean Brown)
- Community engagement: he and his family have made philanthropic gifts (e.g. to NC State’s Institute for Emerging Issues) including establishing endowments. (iei.ncsu.edu)
- He has a presence online (e.g. “HappyGuide”) and participates in public speaking, advocacy, and civic projects. (X (formerly Twitter))
- He was born in Enka-Candler outside Asheville. His family changed his name when he was 3—taking “Tony McLean” (middle name) as part of his given names while retaining “Brown.” (Happy Guide Tony McLean Brown)
If you want, I can pull up more specific details: roles, accomplishments, recent projects, maybe a timeline. Do you want me to dig further?
Tony McLean Brown North Carolina from MSFT CoPilot
Tony McLean Brown is a distinguished leader and philanthropist from North Carolina with a multifaceted career and deep ties to the state:
Professional Background
- Current Role: Director of Strategic Investments at Public Consulting Group (PCG).
- Experience: Over 35 years in public sector IT, including management consulting, systems integration, and operations in healthcare, education, and social care.
- Past Employers: Deloitte, General Motors, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Education:
- MBA from Duke University
- B.S. in Computer Science from North Carolina State University
- Graduate of Enka High School in Candler, NC[1]
Philanthropy & Community Engagement
- Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI):
- Member of the National Advisory Board since 2020.
- His family established IEI’s first endowment, supporting policy innovation and collaboration across North Carolina[2].
- NC State University:
- The Brown family made a $1 million pledge to the Department of Computer Science to fund a distinguished professorship, graduate fellowship, and undergraduate scholarship[3].
- Support also includes contributions to creative writing, athletics, and alumni initiatives.
Personal Interests & Achievements
- Author of “A Happy Guide to a Short Life” (2007).
- Producer of the music video “Old School” (2015).
- Competitor in elite athletic events including:
- Boston Marathon
- Leadville Trail 100
- Panama City Ironman
- South African Comrades Ultra Marathon
- CrossFit Open Qualifier (Global Rank #149)[1]
Would you like help drafting a bio, preparing a presentation, or exploring his philanthropic impact further?
Tony McLean Brown
A Western NC hillbilly through and through, Tony McLean Brown was born in the small town of Enka-Candler outside of Asheville. His parents re-named him when he was 3 years old to Tony (a nickname provided by his grandfather) McLean (middle name of his Uncle Michael) while retaining his legal surname Brown.
Throughout his career, Tony McLean Brown worked as a farmer, computer programmer, and management consultant – in his adventurous years – author, song-writer, bass player, poet, pilot, mountaineer, certified scuba diver, and competitor in professional bull riding, NASCAR late model racing, Toughman boxing, Crossfit Open, Ironman, pole vaulting, marathon and ultra-marathon running, as well as parenting.
www.HappyGuidetoaShortLife.com has been leveraged to help charities and non-profits across the globe, USA, NC, and Lake Norman area. If you, your family, school, church, or charity has been supported, please take the time to share, like, subscribe, comment, and provide a 5 star review!