“You’ll see more and more perfection of that – computer as servant. But the next thing is going to be computer as a guide or agent.”
- February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011
- American
- Entrepreneur, businessman, industrial designer
- He brought to the world revolutionary products that combined technology and design at a high level, such as the personal computer Macintosh, iPhone, and iPad, and also revolutionized the music industry with the iPod, iTunes, and iTunes Store.
Quote
“You’ll see more and more perfection of that – computer as servant. But the next thing is going to be computer as a guide or agent.”
Explanation
In this quote, Steve Jobs anticipates the evolution of computers from simple tools that perform tasks (servants) to more intelligent and autonomous systems that act as guides or agents. Jobs envisions a future where computers are no longer just passive machines that follow instructions, but active participants that assist and guide users through more complex tasks. The transition from “servant” to “agent” reflects a shift from computers being simple assistants to becoming proactive partners that anticipate needs, make suggestions, and help users navigate increasingly complex environments, such as in decision-making or information management.
Jobs was already looking ahead to the idea of intelligent systems and artificial intelligence that could enhance human life by offering personalized assistance, similar to the virtual assistants we have today, like Siri or Alexa. The concept of a computer acting as a guide or agent hints at the direction technology has taken with machine learning, where computers don’t just follow commands but can learn, adapt, and predict user needs.
Today, we are beginning to see the fruits of this vision, as smart assistants and AI-powered technologies are becoming integral parts of our daily lives, helping us make decisions, organize tasks, and even offer insights based on past behaviors. Jobs’ foresight about the computer’s evolving role encourages us to think of future technology as not just tools for tasks, but as intelligent systems that enhance our decision-making and enrich our lives by acting as partners.
