Category: technology

Transitions take time

On By brainsbriIn Environment, Observations, technologyLeave a comment

The appearance of the first Model T didn’t immediately kill the horse and buggy.

The light bulb didn’t render candles obsolete overnight.

Technological transitions are not step functions. There is no sudden change, no instantaneous jump to a new, higher value of technology. Instead there is a gradual transition that eventually results in a full switch from the previous technology to the next. The slope is not smooth either – there are plenty of bumps along the way.

Sometimes that full switch takes years. Even decades.

We are in a period of significant transition across all of our technologies.

Don’t write off the newcomers. Don’t force them either.

They will find their own way in time. Be patient.

Today’s [AI] mistakes frame AI’s future

On By brainsbriIn Curiosity, Modern Challenges, Observations, Perspectives, Strategy, technologyLeave a comment

AI makes mistakes. I’ve seen it. You probably have as well.

But it’s doing exactly what it should at this stage. As early AI adopters, we share the pain of the initial owners of the first Model T –

  • We are the ones with sore arms from endlessly hand-cranking our engine since there was no electric starter yet
  • We are the ones complaining about the bumpy ride since suspensions weren’t what they are today
  • We are the ones fed up with driving in the rain, and eating bugs as we drove because there was no windshield yet

How did all the creature comforts and enhancements come about to give us the automobiles of today that we know and love?

Feedback.

Users reported their experience and updates followed.

And while it took years for some of these automotive enhancements to come to fruition (e.g., electric starter), technological updates of today happen in weeks or months.

And while a select, elite few had the privilege of “beta testing” the Model T, we all get a shot at molding this new technology we call AI.

We all have the opportunity to leave our unique imprint on the future of AI – so when any platform makes a mistake, don’t complain.

Be patient.

Teach it something.

It’s learning.