In a recent interview, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, revealed a surprising truth: even as the world’s leading AI innovator, he still relies on a spiral notebook and a pen to think clearly. His approach is refreshingly simple and deeply relevant in the age of AI tools like MindNote, where the goal isn’t to replace thinking, but to amplify it. The Analog Secret Behind a Digital Visionary Altman describes himself as a “huge notetaker.” But not with fancy apps or sleek digital planners. He prefers a spiral notebook for one key reason: it helps him think better. He loves being able to tear out pages, lay ideas side by side, and even crumple them up when done a physical way to interact with his thoughts. Writing is a tool for thinking most importantly For Altman, clarity doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from iteration, from scribbling, rewriting, and seeing your ideas evolve on paper. Writing Is Thinking, AI just supercharges It. While Altman celebrates the power of h...
In a recent interview, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, revealed a surprising truth: even as the world’s leading AI innovator, he still relies on a spiral notebook and a pen to think clearly. His approach is refreshingly simple and deeply relevant in the age of AI tools like MindNote, where the goal isn’t to replace thinking, but to amplify it.
The Analog Secret Behind a Digital Visionary
Altman describes himself as a “huge notetaker.” But not with fancy apps or sleek digital planners. He prefers a spiral notebook for one key reason: it helps him think better. He loves being able to tear out pages, lay ideas side by side, and even crumple them up when done a physical way to interact with his thoughts.
Writing is a tool for thinking most importantly
For Altman, clarity doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from iteration, from scribbling, rewriting, and seeing your ideas evolve on paper.
Writing Is Thinking, AI just supercharges It.
While Altman celebrates the power of handwriting, he also acknowledges how AI is transforming creativity. With tools like Sora, people can now generate videos, music, and images simply by writing. Text has become the new universal creative input. And yet, he insists: learning to write and to think through writing, will never go out of style. It’s how we organize thoughts, discover insights, and make sense of complexity.
That’s exactly where MindNote comes in.
From Notebook to Neural Network: How MindNote helps clear thinking
Like Altman’s notebook, MindNote is built to help you think, not just store information. But with AI at its core (powered by OpenAI’s GPT-5), it adds a new dimension to clarity.
Here’s how MindNote enhances the creative process:
1. Write x10 Faster with AI Input ideas in any format text, voice, meeting notes, or video transcription. MindNote transforms them instantly into editable, readable notes.
2. Speech-to-Text & Text-to-Voice Capture inspiration anywhere. Dictate thoughts on the go or listen back to your notes later to refine your ideas, a digital echo of Altman’s voice-driven brainstorming method.
3. AI smart editing Summarize, translate, and expand your notes effortlessly. Whether you’re organizing meeting highlights or refining a creative concept, MindNote helps you reach clarity faster.
4. Seamless Collaboration Work with teammates or classmates in real time, share notes, co-edit ideas, and watch clarity emerge through collaboration.
5. Personalized Organization Customize your workspace with color coding, images, and groups. Just as Altman lays out his torn pages on a table, you can visually map your digital thoughts with ease.
Focus in Minutes, not hours
Altman admits that he no longer waits for perfect writing conditions.
I’ll take any 11 minutes uninterrupted that I can get, Altman says.
MindNote helps you make the most of those 11 minutes. Capture your thoughts quickly, then let AI clean, summarize, and organize them so you can focus on thinking, not formatting. Think Clearly. Create Freely.
Sam Altman’s approach shows that technology doesn’t replace thinking it should empower it. Whether you prefer pen and paper or pixels and AI, the goal is the same: to turn messy ideas into meaningful insights.
For digital nomads and remote workers, staying organized while constantly on the move can be a real challenge. MindNote transforms this experience by making note flexible, portable, and AI. Whether you’re on a plane, in a café, or working from a beachside co-working space, you can capture ideas via voice, text, or video-to-text, instantly organize them, and access them across devices. AI features like smart summarization and task management ensure that your notes stay clear, actionable, and ready for collaboration, so no matter where your work takes you, your productivity never misses a beat.
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We’re also thrilled to share that Mindnote was recently featured on Ticker News Australia and recognized at the Inspire Awards in Australia! These milestones mean a lot to us as we continue our mission of building smarter, more human-centered digital experiences that connect and inspire.
And if you’re looking to stay updated on the latest AI tools, trends, and innovations, make sure to visit AI Dash News. It’s a curated platform that brings you the newest and most useful AI tools for business, productivity, and creativity — all in one place. Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or tech enthusiast, AI Dash News helps you discover and understand the AI tools shaping the future of work.b> the world’s first e-nation for global citizens. Join a worldwide community of digital nomads uniting to work, explore, and make an impact beyond borders.
That’s what MindNote is built for.
Try MindNote Free for 3 Days
Experience how AI can help you write, organize, and refine your ideas effortlessly.
Start your free trial today: mindnote.online
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