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Steve Jobs, the legendary co-founder of Apple, had a knack for predicting the future of technology. From pioneering the personal computer with the Apple 1 to revolutionizing the smartphone industry with the iPhone, his vision shaped the modern digital world. However, a resurfaced clip from 1985 reveals that Jobs may have foreseen something even more profound—the rise of artificial intelligence and chatbots like ChatGPT.
Steve Jobs’ ‘Free Intellectual Energy’ Prediction
In the unearthed footage, shared by appledesign on Instagram, Jobs discusses the concept of “free intellectual energy,” explaining how technology would eventually capture and refine human intelligence in an interactive way. He stated:
“I believe that within our lifetime—likely in the next 10 years, and certainly within 20—we will develop an interactive tool that transforms the way we engage with knowledge. We are on the brink of a new era, one that unleashes limitless intellectual potential.”
At the time, this idea could have been interpreted as the rise of digital information-sharing through the internet. However, the next part of his statement is where things get truly fascinating.
The Rise of AI-Driven Conversations
Jobs continued:
“My vision is that one day, when the next great thinker like Aristotle emerges, we will be able to encode their fundamental worldview into a computer. This way, future students won’t just read Aristotle’s writings but will also have the ability to ask him questions and receive responses, as if engaging in a real conversation.”
This statement mirrors the capabilities of modern generative AI tools like ChatGPT. Today, AI-powered chatbots can simulate the personalities and knowledge of historical figures, allowing users to engage in real-time conversations with digital recreations of thinkers like Aristotle, Einstein, or even Steve Jobs himself.
AI in Everyday Life
Fast forward to 2025, and Jobs’ vision has materialized in many ways:
- AI Chatbots: OpenAI’s ChatGPT and other platforms like CharacterAI allow users to have interactive discussions with digital recreations of historical and fictional personalities.
- Personalized AI Assistants: AI can now adapt its responses based on user preferences, much like the personalized experiences Jobs envisioned.
- AI-Powered Predictions: From Nostradamus-like predictions to engaging in unique conversations in different dialects, today’s AI models can simulate knowledge and personalities in ways Jobs hinted at nearly 40 years ago.
Was Steve Jobs Right About AI?
Steve Jobs might have been a little ahead of his time, but he wasn’t wrong. His idea of AI as a tool for learning and conversation has become a reality. The thought of future generations being able to interact with history’s greatest minds isn’t just a far-off dream anymore—it’s actually happening.
As AI keeps improving, Jobs’ vision reminds us that technology isn’t just about fancy gadgets; it’s about changing how we learn and connect with knowledge. And who knows? Maybe one day, just like he imagined, the next Aristotle will exist in AI form, ready to answer our questions anytime we ask.
