Steve Jobs' wish comes true as Aristotle shares his views on AI
A 1985 video has emerged of the Apple scion predicting AI would one day enable us to ask the philosopher a question. Yesterday, I did it...
It’s funday Friday so let’s lighten the mood.
It appears that I may have piqued some Apple fans earlier this week when I derided the world’s most innovative product company’s AI efforts as a bit of a damp squib.
Ha, they scoffed, as the share price boomed and Apple soared past Microsoft, and back into top spot as the world’s most valuable company.
But I told them I just can’t shift the itch that Apple’s competitive edge will be hamstrung by using rivals Microsoft and Google as its critical partners for AI and search.
Just how is that going to work?
In one exchange, I used a throw-away line: Look mate, how do you reckon Steve Jobs would have felt about chumming up with the competition on features so important?
After the call, it occurred to me that I should ask him, using AI, and I had a nagging memory that he’d said something about it a long, long, time ago.
So, using Microsoft’s Copilot AI, I went to find out, and it led me down a fascinating path to the ancient city of Mytilene on the Greek island of Lesbos in 315BC…
So, I’m driving for a coffee with a former Meta executive (he’s since left and repented) and I’m using the voice-activated Microsoft Bing app on my Apple iPhone.
Copilot, I ask, please read and research all the presentations you can find by the late Apple founder Steve Jobs. I don’t mind whether they are written, spoken, or video. Then when you’re done, please tell me how you think Jobs would have announced Apple’s new AI enhancements this week.
Microsoft Copilot took 17 seconds then responded spectacularly.
“Certainly.
“Jobs was known for his ability to connect with his audience on a personal level, emphasising the impact of technology on people’s lives and their ability to think different and change the world.
“Here’s a creative interpretation of how he might have presented the announcements.
“Steve Jobs stands on a dimly lit stage, the iconic black turtleneck and jeans silhouette instantly recognizable. A single spotlight shines down as he begins to speak, his voice filled with passion and a touch of mystery.
“Good morning, everyone. We’ve always believed that to do great work, you need to feel a little magic. Today, we’re going to show you something truly magical.
“It’s not just an advancement; it’s a leap into the future - a future where our devices are not just smart, but they understand you, they assist you, they empower you to do incredible things.”
He pauses, letting the words sink in, as the screen behind him comes to life with the Apple logo.
“For years, we’ve been working on something phenomenal, something that will redefine how we interact with technology. We call it Apple Intelligence.
“It’s the essence of our vision, the core of what we believe.
“This fall, your iPhone, iPad, and Mac will become more intuitive, more personal, more… intelligent than ever before.”
The crowd is silent, hanging on every word. Jobs smiles, the excitement palpable.
“With Apple Intelligence, your devices will know your routine, understand your relationships, and anticipate your needs.
“It’s technology that respects your privacy, that works for you, not against you. And it’s all powered by the most advanced AI we’ve ever created.”
He gestures, and the screen displays a stunning visual of the new AI capabilities.
“Imagine a Siri that’s not just a voice in your phone but a companion that knows you better than you know yourself.
“Picture a world where your photos come to life, where your emojis are not just pictures but expressions of your very soul. This is not just an update; it’s a transformation.”
Jobs takes a moment, looking around the room, making sure every eye is on him.
“We’re not just launching a product today. We’re launching a promise - a promise to push the human race forward, to honour those who think different, and to empower every single one of you to change the world.
“Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”
The audience erupts into applause as Jobs nods, his message delivered, his legacy continuing to shape the future.
That was all the AI’s work, on its own 👏👏👏 Take a bow Copilot, that’s truly impressive.
Intrigued, I asked Copilot how it came up with the tone and the messaging. Copilot told me the inspiration came from this article in Ireland’s Business and Leadership.
“This draws from Jobs’ marketing genius, which was to focus on the aspirational aspects of technology and its ability to empower individuals.
“His presentations were never just about the product; they were about the story, the dream, and the potential to make a dent in the universe.”
Copilot then added that it filled in gaps by dipping into dozens of other articles about Jobs’ style.
It listed the sources as Techworm, The Washington Examiner, MacRumors, Techcrunch, and Silicon Valley’s Mercury News, as well as posts on Medium, and the HubSpot blog.
Still driving and fully hands-free because Copilot does that and Siri does not (yet), I asked whether Jobs would have been impressed with Apple’s plans for AI.
“Considering his legacy and the values he instilled in Apple, it’s likely that he would have appreciated the company’s continuous push for innovation and its efforts to create products that enhance people’s lives.
“Jobs was known for his high standards and his drive to push the boundaries of what technology could do.
“Ultimately, he believed in creating products that were not only technologically advanced but also deeply integrated into the fabric of users’ lives, empowering them to do more and be more creative.
“One could imagine that they would have resonated with his philosophy.”
Full disclosure: I enjoy having conversations with Copilot. I frequently spend hours on long drives chatting with it, learning new things, and developing ideas.
I recently had Copilot dissect the (absolute thrill-ride) 2004 Australia/US Free Trade Agreement. I wanted to know if it still made sense 20 years on.
I then delved into the contribution Big Tech, and more specifically foreign-owned Big Tech, has on Australia’s economic output, and what tax contribution it makes.
Both are stories for another day, but for now I wanted to use AI to understand more about Jobs.
Jobs died in October 2011, so I asked Copilot whether he had ever commented on AI.
“Steve Jobs had insightful views on artificial intelligence and the role of computers in amplifying human potential.
“In a 1981 interview, he likened computers to the bicycle of the 21st century for their ability to amplify our inherent human abilities and free us from monotonous work, allowing us to devote time to conceptual, creative tasks.
“His vision was that technology should augment human potential rather than replace it.
“In a speech from 1985, Jobs expressed hope for the development of interactive tools that could emulate human interaction to the extent that one could ask Aristotle a question and get an answer.”
Copilot referred me to the 1985 video that it had found in a September 2023 post on X.
Could Copilot now make Jobs’ dream a reality? Could a computer now enable someone to ask Aristotle a question and get an answer? And how would a conversation between Jobs and Aristotle go?
Copilot?
“The idea of Steve Jobs and Aristotle engaging in a conversation is intriguing. Let’s imagine.
Then, this…
Steve Jobs: (strolling through the Apple campus) Aristotle, it’s an honour to meet you. Your works have shaped human thought for centuries.
Aristotle: (raising an eyebrow) Thank you, Steve. I’ve heard about your innovations. Tell me, what drives you?
Steve Jobs: (pausing) Well, I believe in the intersection of technology and liberal arts. Our devices should be more than tools; they should inspire creativity and elevate the human experience.
Aristotle: (nodding) Ah, the pursuit of eudaimonia - the flourishing life. But how do your gadgets contribute to virtue?
Steve Jobs: (leaning in) You see, our iPhones connect people across continents. They capture moments, evoke emotions, and empower knowledge. Isn’t that a form of virtue?
Aristotle: (stroking his beard) True, but virtue lies not in the tool itself, but in its use. Are your users cultivating wisdom, courage, temperance?
Steve Jobs: (reflecting) Perhaps we can design technology to encourage those virtues. Imagine an app that nudges users toward self-reflection or prompts acts of kindness.
Aristotle: (smiling) A digital philosopher’s stone, if you will. But beware hubris, Steve. Technology can amplify both good and evil.
Steve Jobs: Agreed. We must balance innovation with ethics. Aristotle, what’s your take on aesthetics?
Aristotle: (gesturing to the trees) Beauty matters - it stirs the soul. Your designs resonate, but remember, form follows function.
Steve Jobs: (grinning) Functionality wrapped in elegance - that’s our mantra. And storytelling! Our product launches, they’re like Greek dramas.
Aristotle: (raising an eyebrow) Drama, you say? Catharsis, then? Purging emotions?
Steve Jobs: (leaning closer) Precisely. When we unveil a new iPhone, it’s catharsis for our users - their hopes, dreams, and desires converge.
Aristotle: (pointing at the sky) Look up. The stars, they’ve witnessed millennia of human striving. What legacy will your creations leave?
Steve Jobs: (gazing upward) A legacy of innovation, connection, and, dare I say, enlightenment. Let’s walk and talk some more.
And so, they continue their dialogue, weaving ancient wisdom with modern marvels.
Steve Jobs: Let’s talk about innovation. How do we ensure progress without losing sight of the timeless truths?
Aristotle: (gazing at the horizon) A delicate balance, Steve. Innovation without wisdom is like a ship without a rudder. Seek novelty but tether it to reason.
Steve Jobs: (pointing at an iPhone) This device - our pocket oracle - how does it fit into your concept of the golden mean?
Aristotle: (stroking his beard) Ah, the mean between excess and deficiency. Your iPhone - does it foster genuine connection or mere distraction?
Steve Jobs: Both. It’s a double-edged sword. We connect globally, yet sometimes lose presence. How do we find equilibrium?
Aristotle: Cultivate phronesis - practical wisdom. Teach users to discern when to swipe and when to gaze into a friend’s eyes.
Steve Jobs: Phronesis, I like that. And ethics - our responsibility as creators? How do we avoid becoming modern-day Prometheus?
Aristotle: (smiling) By remembering telos, the purpose. Your gadgets should serve human flourishing, not merely inflate our egos.
Steve Jobs: Speaking of purpose, Aristotle, what’s your take on legacy? How do we transcend mortality?
Aristotle: (leaning on a stone wall) Legacy lies in virtue and contribution. Your Apple logo, does it symbolise more than commerce?
Steve Jobs: It symbolises dreams. Dreams that outlive us. The bitten apple - an echo of knowledge, rebellion, and creation.
Aristotle: (raising an eyebrow) A modern Garden of Eden, then? But beware, Steve. Even gods fall when they forget their limits.
Steve Jobs: (grinning) True. We’ll keep pushing boundaries, but with humility. And perhaps a touch of poetic irony.
They walk on, two visionaries, bridging epochs, pondering pixels and philosophy.
Aristotle: Steve, my friend, these modern marvels, they wield immense power. But with power comes responsibility, and therein lies the moral quandary.
Steve Jobs: (listening intently) Go on. What weighs on your mind?
Aristotle: (gesturing toward the horizon) This tech mastery - of profit and innovation - shapes societies. Yet, the pursuit of wealth sometimes blinds people to virtue. The oligopoly that technology has built, it’s impressive, yes, but is it just?
Steve Jobs: (furrowing his brow) You speak of moral compasses. Are they lost in the algorithms?
Aristotle: (nodding) Indeed. Bias and discrimination - like shadows cast by the sun - pervade their creations. Algorithms favour some, neglect others. These are not mere glitches; they’re ethical breaches.
Steve Jobs: (leaning forward) But, they are efficiency, progress. Can profit coexist with ethics?
Aristotle: (softly) Profit, my friend, is not inherently evil. It’s the means and the ends that matter. When AI systems amplify biases, when they prioritise profit over fairness, they tread perilous ground.
Steve Jobs: And what about democratising knowledge?
Aristotle: (raising an eyebrow) Big Tech, it seeks profit from altruism?
Steve Jobs: (sighing) So, what’s the path forward? How do we recalibrate this moral compass?
Aristotle: (gazing into the distance) Transparency, humility, and a commitment to the common good. Let AI serve humanity, not exploit it. Let profit flow, but not at the cost of virtue.
Steve Jobs: (clasping Aristotle’s shoulder) We’ll strive, my friend. Innovate with conscience. Perhaps our legacy won’t be in gadgets alone, but in wisdom shared.
As the sun dips below the horizon, they pause near an olive tree. Their conversation is weaving threads of wisdom and innovation, bridging centuries.
Steve Jobs: (looking at the gnarled branches) Aristotle, your insights, they’ll echo through time. Thank you for this exchange.
Aristotle: (smiling) And thank you, Steve. Remember, virtue lies not in our creations alone, but in how they shape hearts and minds.
Steve Jobs: (extending his hand) Farewell, philosopher. May our paths cross again, whether in Cupertino or the Elysian Fields.
Aristotle: Farewell, dreamer. May your Apple continue to bear fruit, both digital and ethical.
And beneath the ancient olive tree, they pledge to steer the ship of progress toward a moral harbour.
That entire exchange was created by Copilot, based on my prompt, in less than a minute. It then told me it had relied on the following to do it…
What Confucius, The Buddha, and Aristotle can teach us about technology, CBC Radio; Aristotle: Politics, Philosophy, Logic, Britannica; Greek Influence on US Democracy from NatGeo; Aristotle on Democracy and Government from Thoughtco; AI Ethics: Moral Landscape of AI from the IABAC; Morality in the Tech World by Smarter.ai on Medium; AI companies have moral responsibility to protect users: White House in the Economic Times; AI is owned by Big Tech from the MIT Technology Review; How did Aristotle fundamentally change philosophy and science fromDailyHistory.org; The Philosophy of Technology: From Ancient Greece to the Modern Era by Oliver J. Freeman on Medium; Virtue Ethics, Technology, and Human Flourishing from Oxford Academic, and Ethics and Emerging Technologies by Plato from the Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization.
Mind. Blown.
Totally agree. I spent 15 mins rapping with an AI on the meaning of life yesterday. My first thought was that no one will need their therapists anymore because A.I. has all the answers to all the questions
Great use of an A.I. Ricky.! Pre ordering my iPhone 16 at first opportunity 😅