Charlie Munger’s Zoomtopia Keynote: Crypto, AI, and Life Wisdom

Charlie Munger, renowned investor and Vice-Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, took the stage during video conferencing company Zoom’s Zoomtopia conference on October 4, sharing his thoughts on crypto, artificial intelligence (AI), and valuable life lessons.

This exclusive event was closed to the public, but highlights from the keynote based on interviews with several audience members were reported by Insider on October 11, offering a glimpse into the legendary investor’s mind.

‘Super negative’ about crypto

In the speech, Munger, who has been a close associate of Warren Buffett for decades, spoke about the emerging world of crypto, which one attendee said Munger was “super negative” about, and even called a “scam.”

In addition to his comments on cryptocurrencies, Munger delved into the hot topic of AI, which another attendee said the investor was “skeptical” about.

Munger reportedly suggested that the current AI buzz might be overblown, and pointed out that while AI has been around for over 50 years, it has only recently gained significant attention.

“Yet, with nearly a century of wisdom and a financial track record to match, his views command respect,” the audience member said about Munger’s negative views on AI and crypto.

Invaluable life lessons

Besides offering his take on emerging technologies, the 99-year-old investor also shared some invaluable life lessons.

According to Munger, success in both business and life hinges on principles like hard work, discipline, saving, and investing.

He stressed the importance of spending less than one earns, and invest whatever is left.

Judging from the Insider article, Munger’s style, which included anecdotes and analogies involving everything from donuts to poker, captivated the audience, and his advice underlined the significance of discipline, shrewdness, and the ability to gauge motives in business.

“He was very funny and the conversation between him and Eric felt like watching old friends catch up – not a typical ‘celebrity’ keynote that are pretty much all the same,” one of the audience members described the investor as.

Munger has previously also shared a deeply critical view of crypto, suggesting America should ban it and predicting that it will “go to zero.”