Steve Jobs – tech visionary, Apple co-founder, and the guy who seemed to have a crystal ball when it came to the future of technology. From the Mac to the iPhone, Jobs had a knack for predicting where tech was heading. And now, thanks to a newly surfaced clip from 1983, we’re seeing just how far ahead of the curve he really was.
In this unearthed gem, 28-year-old Jobs is at the International Design Conference, casually chatting about his vision for the future. What’s incredibly prescient is the way he describes something eerily similar to today’s AI-powered digital avatars. He muses about interacting with historical figures like Aristotle by asking them questions through a machine—one that could capture their “underlying spirit” and “way of looking at the world.” Here's an extract from that speech:
Credit: International Design Conference 1983
The Rise of Generative AI Digital Human Avatars
Companies like D-ID, HeyGen, and Synthesia are at the forefront of these technologies, creating digital avatars that feel almost human. AI-driven personas are combining lifelike visuals with advanced algorithms – think ChatGPT with a human face – offering interactions that are as engaging as they are informative.
How do these digital humans work?
First off, these avatars aren’t run-of-the-mill, wooden animated characters. Thanks to some impressive video synthesis and deepfake tech, they don’t just look like humans – they move and react like them, too. Imagine you’re chatting with a colleague over Zoom, and they’re nodding along, smiling at your jokes (or at least trying to), and raising an eyebrow at the right moments. That’s exactly the kind of interaction these avatars aim to replicate. The goal? To make your conversation feel natural, like you’re talking to a real person rather than a bunch of code in a digital suit.
It’s like they’ve taken a crash course in human mannerisms, and aced the final exam. The result is an experience that’s far less “press 1 for customer service” and way more “let’s chat over coffee.”
Natural Language Processing: The Brains Behind the Beauty
But it’s not just about looking the part. At the heart of these digital humans is something like a large language model (LLM)—think of it as their brain. We’re talking about models like ChatGPT that are trained on vast amounts of data. This isn’t just a bunch of random words thrown together. These models are designed to understand context, pick up on nuances, and generate responses that actually make sense.
Imagine you ask an avatar about the weather, and instead of a generic response like “It’s sunny,” it says, “It’s a bright day out—perfect for that jog you’ve been putting off, don’t you think?” That’s the beauty of natural language processing. The conversation doesn’t just flow; it adapts and feels relevant, almost like the avatar has been reading your mind (or at least your calendar).
Knowledge Integration: The Encyclopaedia You Wish You Had in School
Now, let’s talk about the smarts. These avatars aren’t just chatty; they’re incredibly well-informed. Think of them as walking encyclopaedias, or better yet, like that one friend who somehow knows a little bit about everything and is always ready with a quick fact or solution. They’re plugged into massive knowledge bases, which means they can handle everything from simple, “What’s the capital of France?” to more complex queries like, “Can you explain quantum physics in layman’s terms?”
And they don’t just spit out facts. These avatars connect the dots. If you’re having a conversation about renewable energy, they can bring in the latest research, trends, and even throw in a comparison to historical energy consumption patterns. It’s like having a personal tutor, consultant, and conversation partner rolled into one.
Putting It All Together
So, when you combine a human-like appearance with smart language processing and deep knowledge integration, you get something pretty close to a real conversation with a real person – except this “person” has access to more information than any human could ever hold in their head. It’s not just about answering questions; it’s about engaging in a dialogue that’s as natural and informative as talking to a trusted expert.
And honestly, isn’t that what Steve Jobs was hinting at all those years ago? We’re not quite at the point where we can have a chat with Aristotle’s digital doppelgänger, but we’re getting closer every day. So, whether you’re looking for customer service, education, or just a deep dive into a complex topic, these digital humans are here to make those interactions not just functional, but genuinely engaging.
It’s tech with a human touch, and it’s only going to get better from here.
If you're wondering what Aristotle would say about today’s world, we can almost ask him directly, thanks to these digital avatars. Almost.
How Different Industries Are Using These Avatars
These AI-driven avatars aren’t just tech novelties—they’re making serious waves across various industries. Let’s explore how.
Customer Service 24/7 Support: These avatars never sleep, meaning they’re always on hand to resolve issues and answer questions, no matter the time. Personalised Interactions: They remember you—like that friendly barista who knows your coffee order. This personal touch boosts customer satisfaction.
Education and Training Virtual Tutors: Imagine having a tutor who’s available anytime, tailoring lessons to your learning style and pace. That’s what these avatars can do. Corporate Training: They’re also great for training employees, making the learning process interactive and engaging.
Marketing and Sales Product Demos: Need a product explained in multiple languages? These avatars can do that, helping you reach a global audience. Lead Generation: By engaging with potential customers in a natural, conversational way, these avatars can turn casual interest into solid leads.
Healthcare Patient Interaction: From scheduling appointments to offering mental health support, these avatars make patient care more accessible and personal. Medical Training: They can simulate patient interactions, providing a safe space for medical students to learn and practice.
Jobs didn’t just dream up a cool gadget—he saw a future where machines could encapsulate human knowledge and personality. And that’s exactly what we’re seeing with today’s AI avatars.
Bridging the Past and the Future
It’s fascinating to see how a futuristic concept from 1983 is now part of our daily reality. These generative AI avatars aren’t just bits of code; they’re tools that capture and convey human knowledge and experience. Imagine training an avatar on the life’s work of a leading expert—after they’re gone, their insights could still be guiding us, just as Jobs envisioned.
These avatars are more than just a technological achievement; they represent a significant leap in how we engage with digital content. They’re bridging the gap between man and machine, making interactions more human-like and, let’s be honest, a lot more interesting.
We’re not just talking about machines anymore. We’re talking about preserving human knowledge and making it accessible in a way that feels personal and engaging.
Embrace the Future of Engagement
By embracing this technology, we’re not just enhancing user engagement; we’re also preserving human knowledge in ways we never thought possible. As these avatars continue to evolve, we’re inching closer to a world where interacting with a digital version of Aristotle—or any other historical figure—could be as common as asking Siri for the weather.
Other Steve Jobs Predictions That Have Come True
Jobs had a few more tricks up his sleeve, and it turns out, he was right on the money.
A Personal Computer in Every Home Back in 1985, Jobs told Playboy that computers would eventually be a household staple, used for everything from work to play. At the time, less than 10% of U.S. households owned a computer. Fast forward to today, and about 95% of homes have at least one.
Connecting Through Computers In that same interview, Jobs predicted we’d use computers to connect with each other over a “nationwide communications network.” This was before the World Wide Web even existed. Today, with over 1.11 billion websites out there (although only about 201 million are active), it’s clear that Jobs saw the future of online connection long before the rest of us.
Jobs didn’t just predict the future—he laid out the blueprint for the creation of the digital world we live in today.
More to come
Steve Jobs wasn’t just a tech guy—he was a visionary who saw where technology was headed long before the rest of us did. From AI-powered chatbots to personal computers in every home, his predictions weren’t just accurate—they were spot-on. And as we continue to explore the possibilities of AI and digital avatars, we’re reminded of just how much of today’s technology is built on the foundation he helped define.
As we move forward, it’s clear that Jobs’ innovative thinking will continue to influence the tech world—and our everyday lives—for years to come.
This is just one of many examples of how Steve Jobs’ predictions are still shaping the world today. Curious to learn more? Dive deeper into how generative AI and personalised video are revolutionising customer and employee engagement.
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