1. In 1967, I started my initial foray into the world of computers. My employer was a forward-thinking company called International Data Highways (IDH), the creation of my extraordinary guide, Charlie Ross. Even in the early days of computing, Charlie was already challenging the limits of what computer science could accomplish. He imagined a future where financial and…businessData could be accessed immediately through a computer terminal. His ability to predict the future was remarkable, particularly given the technological constraints of that era.
Charlie possessed a unique ability to see potential others overlooked, fueling his ambition. He fostered a culture that valued inquisitiveness and celebrated daring. For a teenager of nineteen, being immersed in such a stimulating atmosphere was intense—Charlie firmly advocated learning by experience. He sought to cultivate a team that was courageous, self-reliant, and comfortable with the prospect of failure. In 1967 Britain, where tradition and strict organizational structures were the norm, this approach was groundbreaking.
That initial, intense introduction to the field set me up for the groundbreaking evolution computers would undergo in the following fifty years. I had no idea I was becoming part of the most game-changing sector the world had ever witnessed.
The ascent and decline of powerful entities.
The first computerThe Sperry Univac 418 was one of my projects—a huge, intricate system featuring a 24-bit word architecture and a 12-bit addressing system. It utilized a FastRand drum for data storage, a device that tipped the scales at two and a half tons and boasted an astounding 100 megabytes of capacity.dataBack then, IBM was the leading force in batch processing, while Sperry and other companies were at the forefront of developing real-time computing.
In the early 1970s, IBM controlled almost 80% of the world’s computing market. However, by the 1990s, the company, once a dominant force, was close to failing. Nimble and inventive competitors such as Digital Equipment Corporation and Data General had risen, leading to a rapid and severe decline for IBM. Witnessing this firsthand taught me a crucial lesson: in this industry, the leading company of today can easily become irrelevant tomorrow.
A significant portion of this instability stems from Moore’s Law. Back in 1965, Gordon Moore foresaw that the velocity and capability of transistors would double roughly every one and a half to two years. This rapid expansion would constantly push the boundaries of what’s achievable—affecting not only computing strength but also the pace at which innovation itself could advance. I joined the field two years following Moore’s forecast. The rest, as they say, is history—and we are still making it.
From constraints to catalysts
the PC, the Internet, mobile, social, AI—have delivered astonishing gains in productivity and convenience. But they have also created a winner-take-all economy, widening inequality and fueling political polarization. The technological advancements of the last half-century—including mainframes, personal computers, the Internet, mobile technology, social media, and artificial intelligence—have led to remarkable improvements in both efficiency and ease of use. However, they’ve also fostered an economic system where a select few reap the majority of the rewards, exacerbating disparities in wealth and contributing to increased political division.PCsThe internet and mobile devices were just appetizers; AI is the real deal. The distinction isn’t solely about increased capability, but about newfound freedom. Throughout much of my professional life, advancement was hampered by insufficient computing resources, inadequate data storage, and sluggish processing.Cloud computing, the rise of distributed systems, and widespread high-speed internet have completely erased those boundaries.
We now live in a world where almost everyone has access to everything. Storage is inexpensive and practically limitless. Computing resources are available whenever needed. Obstacles have disappeared. As a result, we’ve unlocked a new opportunity – one that promises not just slight progress, but a complete transformation of industry.
This isn’t just a ripple; it’s a full-blown tsunami.
Those sitting comfortably on the beach, sipping tea and admiring the view, are about to be swept away. Those who grab a surfboard and paddle out to meet the surge head-on will experience the ride of a lifetime.
AI: the great equalizer
Perhaps the most stunning transformation AI brings is the democratization of knowledge. For centuries, information was locked behind paywalls—academic, professional, institutional. In some industries, guild-like structures guarded specialized knowledge jealously. AI changes that. It is the ultimate key, unlocking access for anyone with a connection and curiosity.
Professional hierarchies will flatten. Management will face new levels of transparency and accountability thanks to real-time analytics. Strategic decisions once made in echo chambers will now be data-informed and challengeable.
This is no moment for the faint of heart. Success will come to those who are daring, adaptable, and receptive to new ideas. However, the real transformation will be seen not in business practices, but in the ways people conduct their lives, acquire knowledge, and develop as individuals.
The coming reinvention of education
Education may be the sector most radically transformed by AI. For too long, students have been shuffled through one-size-fits-all classrooms, forced to memorize facts, and judged by standardized exams. AI opens the door to personalized, adaptive learning—customized in real time to each student’s strengths, weaknesses, and interests.
Imagine a system where students are assessed continuously through participation and engagement, not just snapshots on test days. AI can identify knowledge gaps and tailor content dynamically—favoring subjects that spark passion, curiosity, and intrinsic motivation. Students will no longer be treated as production units that must progress at the same pace. They will be treated as individuals.
Parents will no longer need to buy homes in expensive school districts to access quality education. World-class learning will be accessible to everyone, everywhere. Finally, education will be democratized—just as knowledge is.
Compare this to China’s Gaokao, where every high school student takes a life-determining university entrance exam on the same day in June. Should a teenager’s future be determined by two days of testing—or by twelve years of continuous growth and learning? AI makes that question more than rhetorical. It makes a new model possible.
Unleashing human creativity
Beyond education, AI promises to unlock a renaissance of human creativity. By automating repetitive and menial tasks, it will free the mind to focus on imagination, problem-solving, and innovation. AI will allow people to color outside the lines again—something that corporate culture and standardized education often suppress.
Innovation will no longer come just from elite R&D labs or top universities. It will come from a billion creative minds newly empowered. AI will not just be a tool of efficiency—it will be a force of liberation.
Conclusion: embrace the future
Looking back on my 57-year journey—from machine code to machine learning—I’m reminded of how much has changed, and yet, how many principles remain the same. Vision, courage, curiosity, and resilience remain the essential traits of any innovator.
The tools may change. The pace will accelerate. But the opportunity—for impact, for growth, for transformation—has never been greater. We stand at the edge of something vast. The surf is up and the surfboards are ready.
Let’s enjoy the ride.
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