A Lesson from History – Timing and AI

As we delve into the technological wonders of the 21st century, it's crucial to remember a recurring theme in historical innovation: experts often miss the mark on timing. From the steam engine to the internet, history shows that the adoption and impact of significant technologies often take longer than initially anticipated. I saw this firsthand when handling public relations on the agency side for the launch of ESPN.com - reporters told me this would eliminate their jobs in a matter of months.

Why is this significant? As we approach the 'AI revolution,' there are numerous forecasts about how soon artificial intelligence will reshape our lives, industries, and societies. However, this transformation will not only involve industry and society being overtaken by AI but also cultural norms and adapting to a new cognitive collaborator.

Humans are not naturally accustomed to interacting with machines that think and learn. This adjustment goes beyond learning to use a new appliance or software; it involves a fundamental shift in how we perceive and integrate intelligence that is not human.

Envisioning the integration of AI into everyday life necessitates more than just technological readiness—it demands a profound cultural shift in understanding and acceptance. Similar to how the internet took decades to evolve into the global communication and commerce backbone it is today, AI's assimilation into daily life is likely to be a more prolonged journey than our current expectations.

The future is coming, and it will be profound, but history teaches us that it may not come as quickly as we think. As leaders, innovators, and thinkers, our challenge is to guide this transition and ensure that AI benefits all sectors of society.

#AI #Innovation #TechnologyAdoption #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork #PR