#440 – Pieter Levels: Programming, Viral AI Startups, and Digital Nomad Life

Pieter Levels (aka levelsio on X) is a self-taught developer and entrepreneur who has designed, programmed, launched over 40 startups, many of which are highly successful. Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep440-sc See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc. Transcript: https://lexfridman.com/pieter-levels-transcript CONTACT LEX: Feedback – give feedback to Lex: https://lexfridman.com/survey AMA – submit questions, videos or call-in: https://lexfridman.com/ama Hiring – join our team: https://lexfridman.com/hiring Other – other ways to get in touch: https://lexfridman.com/contact EPISODE LINKS: Pieter’s X: https://x.com/levelsio Pieter’s Techno Optimist Shop: https://levelsio.com/ Indie Maker Handbook: https://readmake.com/ Nomad List: https://nomadlist.com Remote OK: https://remoteok.com Hoodmaps: https://hoodmaps.com SPONSORS: To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts: Shopify: Sell stuff online. Go to https://shopify.com/lex Motific: Generative ai deployment. Go to https://motific.ai AG1: All-in-one daily nutrition drinks. Go to https://drinkag1.com/lex MasterClass: Online classes from world-class experts. Go to https://masterclass.com/lexpod BetterHelp: Online therapy and counseling. Go to https://betterhelp.com/lex Eight Sleep: Temp-controlled smart mattress. Go to https://eightsleep.com/lex OUTLINE: (00:00) – Introduction (11:38) – Startup philosophy (19:09) – Low points (22:37) – 12 startups in 12 months (29:29) – Traveling and depression (42:08) – Indie hacking (46:11) – Photo AI (1:22:28) – How to learn AI (1:31:04) – Robots (1:39:21) – Hoodmaps (2:03:26) – Learning new programming languages (2:12:58) – Monetize your website (2:19:34) – Fighting SPAM (2:23:07) – Automation (2:34:33) – When to sell startup (2:3