Steve Jobs’ Aspen Epiphany: Envisioning a Future Shaped by Personal Computing and Its Parallels to Today’s AI Evolution

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At 28, Steve Jobs appears somewhat anxious as he begins his address to a congregation of designers in Aspen, Colorado, under a vast tent. He awkwardly adjusts his bow tie and eventually discards his suit jacket onto the ground, having nowhere else to place it. The year is 1983, and he's on the verge of requesting the designers' assistance in enhancing the appearance of the imminent surge of personal computers. However, he first intends to share with them how these computers will fundamentally transform their current way of life.

"Who here is over the age of 36?" he inquires, noting that this is the age of the computer itself. He points out that even those younger than this, himself included, belong to what could be dubbed the "television era." However, he emphasizes a significant shift with the rise of a new generation for whom, throughout their lives, computers will be the primary means of communication.

At that moment, it was a bold claim, especially since, based on a quick survey by Jobs, hardly anyone in the crowd owned a personal computer or had even laid eyes on one. Jobs assured the designers that not only would they eventually be using a computer, but it would become essential and thoroughly integrated into their daily existence.

The centerpiece of the digital exhibit titled "The Objects of Our Life," hosted by the Steve Jobs Archive—a project dedicated to chronicling the illustrious co-founder of Apple's history—is a video of this speech. This exhibit was launched online earlier this month, following the unearthing of an overlooked VHS tape within Jobs' personal archives. Upon viewing, it struck me as not only a powerful reflection on the former CEO's impact but also as highly relevant to the current era, which is similarly marked by the advent of new technology bringing both great potential and risks.

The event where the speech took place was the yearly Aspen International Design Conference. That year's theme, “The Future Isn’t What It Used to Be,” perfectly aligned with Jobs as the chosen speaker. His speech largely focused on his philosophy regarding the aesthetics of product design, but the core message echoed the essence of a Bob Dylan song: There's a shift occurring, and its nature is elusive. Jobs shared predictions that sounded outrageous at the time: he envisioned a future where computers would be sold in greater numbers than cars, and people would devote more time to these computers than to driving. He envisioned a world where computers would be interconnected, and the concept of electronic mail, which he had to explain given its novelty at the time, would become commonplace. Jobs was adamant that computers would take over as the primary method of communication. His ambition was to drive this change, aiming for a future where the ubiquity of computers and their use would be perceived as if it had always been the norm.

Jobs' presentation captivated his listeners, earning him a round of applause as they stood in admiration. Before his departure from Aspen that week, he was requested to contribute an item for a time capsule, intended to be opened in the year 2000 as a tribute to the occasion. Jobs chose to include the mouse from the Lisa Computer he had showcased, which was then enclosed in the time capsule alongside a Moody Blues 8-track tape and a six-pack of beer.

The address acts as a historical snapshot. Jobs accurately predicted that eventually, it would be hard for us to recall life before the technological innovations he introduced to the public. Those among us who existed before the digital era, as Jobs phrased it, frequently surprise the younger generation by recounting how we managed our tasks (using mechanical typewriters and duplicate papers!), interacted with one another (through public telephones!), and kept ourselves amused (with just three television networks and shows like Bonanza!) prior to the era when computers became an integral part of our lives.

On that bright June day, Jobs viewed the world through an optimistic lens. However, the advancements he predicted were not without their costs. Just this past weekend, we witnessed another negative consequence of the widespread use of this technology. A glitch in an update for the security software known as CrowdStrike caused millions of essential Windows computers to fail, bringing much of global activity to a standstill. Companies had to scale back their operations. Medical professionals were forced to delay surgeries and treatments. Airports became makeshift accommodations for those unable to travel.

In Aspen, the issue of unforeseen outcomes didn't seem to trouble Jobs. Faced with a question from the audience about privacy breaches—a further problem stemming from widespread digital technology—he dismissed the concern. "I haven't really encountered many significant complaints about these large databases having extensive knowledge about us," he remarked. "What really worries me is how we can leverage all this information to actually make a difference."

Over time, Jobs began to understand the complex benefits and drawbacks of computer technology, striving to position Apple as a defender of user privacy. His initial simplicity or oversight is a surprising detail of his early discourse. As digital technology was emerging, so too was Steve Jobs himself. Leslie Berlin, the technology historian and executive director of the archive, mentioned that showcasing this was a significant motive for the exhibition. "It presents a young Steve, embodying many of the qualities that would define his success, yet still in the process of learning," she states. "We believed this speech would deeply connect with those moments in life when individuals are navigating unconventional paths, attempting to integrate elements in new and unprecedented ways."

This strain contributes to making Objects of Our Lives eerily pertinent to today's era. Back in 1983, Jobs aimed to assist individuals in understanding a novel technology poised to revolutionize their existence. A few were experimenting with it, while some forward-thinking innovators had already revamped their enterprises using this technology. However, the majority, whether due to apprehension or doubt, had yet to embrace it.

To me, this mirrors the present state of artificial intelligence within our society. Similar to the situation with computer technology four decades ago, it has quietly integrated itself into our infrastructure and is now emerging as a potent tool accessible to everyone. Yet, only a small group of individuals are actively engaging with it, and an even smaller fraction are leveraging its capabilities to the fullest. The rest are either feeling overwhelmed or doubtful.

Whether we like it or not, it's on its way and promises to bring significant changes. In his address, Jobs hinted at this concept by suggesting that within the next half-century, we could develop machines capable of understanding the world from a fundamental perspective. He imagined a scenario where a future thinker, akin to Aristotle, might record all his ideas into such a system. "Imagine, long after this individual has passed away, we could query this device, 'What would Aristotle's response have been?'"

This concept is directly aligned with the ambitions of AI developers. However, up until now, no one has managed to deliver a presentation as captivating as Steve Jobs did. Perhaps, that's beneficial. In this era, it's important to be aware of the potential risks right from the start.

Interestingly, the time capsule mentioned previously has its unique backstory. When the moment arrived to dig it up in 2000, its whereabouts were a mystery to everyone. However, in 2014, a team from National Geographic employed scientific methods to find it and then opened it in front of an audience. The initial object they retrieved was the mouse contributed by Jobs. Surprisingly, it didn't appear old-fashioned but rather like an item you could easily come across on a modern-day desk.

Today, we find ourselves in what was once envisioned as the future of 1983. With the advancements in artificial intelligence and its increasing integration into societal functions, the outlook of our future has undeniably transformed from past expectations.

Time Leap

My initial interaction with Steve Jobs occurred a few months beyond his appearance in Aspen in June 1983, while I was crafting an article on the fresh Macintosh computer for Rolling Stone. During our conversation, which I later included as a Q&A in the 20th-anniversary release of my book, Insanely Great, he detailed the reasons the nascent phase of digital technology captivated him to the extent of fervently developing this novel device—even if it required, as he shared with me, temporarily pausing a romantic involvement.

What motivates you?

In this era, it feels as though technology and society are just beginning their journey together, perfectly timed to ignite a special connection. We're in a prime position to create outstanding products that are user-friendly and offer exceptional experiences. If we don't step up, IBM will dominate the market… We are the only barrier preventing IBM from monopolizing the entire tech industry. If superior products aren't enough to compete with them, then they'll capture the entire market, becoming an unprecedented monopoly. Imagine having control over every oil and car company back in 1920. Some might think it's unfortunate but have other priorities, like personal relationships. It all boils down to what you value most. What motivates you each day? For me, I see this phase as a rigorous training period, a preparation for something unknown. Moreover, I regard most of my colleagues as artists, and I view myself in the same light.

Seriously?

Type of acrobat specializing in high-flying acts

To use a safety net or not?

Absent.

Inquire About a Single Topic

Rick inquires, "Do the agreements for content licensing that media companies are engaging in with Google's AI compensate for the decrease in advertising income resulting from Google Overviews?"

Appreciate your inquiry, Rick. You've pointed out Google, which has indeed introduced the AI Overviews you're referring to. However, it's worth noting that numerous AI firms are actively participating in a collective initiative to obtain legal permissions for content use. This strategy is also seen as a protective measure against potential legal actions from organizations such as The New York Times, which has initiated legal proceedings against OpenAI and Microsoft for their use of its journalistic content in training chatbots.

Although the specific details of these agreements are often not disclosed, it's plausible to assume they could be worth millions, marking a substantial income stream. However, it's my view that considering this as a permanent fix for the decline in advertising or subscription revenues would be misguided. Not too long ago, numerous media outlets accepted funding from Facebook when the tech behemoth offered to finance content for a dedicated news section. However, when Facebook/Meta decided to end this initiative, those publishers were left in the lurch. It's hardly surprising that seasoned journalists like Jessica Lessin, the editor of The Information, have pointed out in The Atlantic the pattern of news organizations getting enticed into such agreements by the promise of big tech money and broad distribution networks. "It never, ever, works as planned," she commented.

Nick Thompson, the CEO of The Atlantic and former chief editor at WIRED, who secured a licensing agreement with OpenAI, stands by such partnerships. He even expressed strong support when OpenAI unveiled a prototype of its AI-driven search engine earlier this week. Thompson insists his agreement is not detrimental, emphasizing that the content licensing is confined to language models developed within the contract's duration. However, speaking in broader terms and not specifically about The Atlantic's arrangement, I question the effectiveness of this approach in safeguarding media companies. Even if these contracts are short-term, they could radically alter business models to the extent that reverting to a pre-chatbot era might become unfeasible.

Consider another aspect of this situation. It's the media giants striking deals with AI entities, yet the original creators of the content see none of the financial benefits. Their creations are integrated into these vast databases, despite the fact that the initial terms of employment likely didn't cover such extensive reuse of their work. Consider a journalist who has developed a unique writing style over years at a newspaper. When that publication licenses its content out, the journalist's distinctive voice can be mimicked by the licensee's Large Language Models (LLM), being utilized long after the journalist has moved on or launched a personal Substack.

The advent of the internet posed a natural challenge to the traditional revenue streams of journalism, and now artificial intelligence poses a similar risk. I doubt that allowing tech firms to use journalistic content under license will effectively address this issue.

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