Steve Jobs on Genius, AI, and Transforming Education with Macintosh

In 1985, Steve Jobs delivered a visionary speech at Sweden's historic Svanholm Castle, where he explored the profound impact the computer revolution would have on education. Addressing an audience filled with professors and educators, Jobs confidently predicted that computers would soon revolutionize how knowledge is accessed and shared worldwide.

He emphasized that computers would become ubiquitous tools, enabling people to obtain information anytime and anywhere. This transformative journey had already begun in the 1980s, particularly in universities and research centers that were among the first to connect to the emerging Internet.

Jobs also shared a fascinating reflection on his admiration for Alexander the Great—not for his conquests, but because his mentor was Aristotle. "I can’t ask Aristotle a question," Jobs joked, "though I wish I could. Someday, when Aristotle returns, we might embed his wisdom into computers so students can ask him questions and receive answers."

Watch the full speech here

Like many visionaries of his time, Jobs believed deeply in artificial intelligence. He suggested that software could surpass books in preserving human knowledge, potentially granting a form of immortality. Human intellect, he predicted, would become a highly sought-after commodity. Today, this is evident in the booming market for expert knowledge accessible through online courses and remote learning platforms.

Jobs understood that for computers to truly achieve intelligence, they needed to be interactive and constantly fed vast amounts of data. This required expansive networks extending beyond individual machines—a vision that materialized years later, with Apple playing a significant role.

Apple’s engineers went on to develop Siri, a voice assistant that, while not perfect, showcases early artificial intelligence by understanding questions and providing meaningful answers, sometimes even with a touch of humor. Many believe Apple is now advancing toward deep learning AI that mimics human brain functions.

During his talk, Jobs also revealed his plans to visit the Soviet Union with hopes of introducing the Macintosh there, aspiring to inspire people to "think differently." This ambition led Håkan Westlin, the university rector, to request that Jobs share his intellect with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Despite these aspirations, we remain far from software that fully replicates the human brain. We cannot yet upload the minds of geniuses like Einstein or Tesla and ask them profound questions. Currently, search engines help us find information on topics of interest, but the dream of conversing with legendary intellects remains just out of reach. How remarkable it would be to ask Steve Jobs himself for answers today.

Source: Wired

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