The AI Wave Is Not Like That
RaviShankar B.
Technology Executive | VP Engineering | Entrepreneur | Cloud SaaS | Scalable Platform | Software Development | Innovation | Strategy & Roadmap | Business Vision | Global Teams | Startup | Influencing
A few weeks back, I was in a discussion about innovation — how it’s shaped by policy, culture, and local context around the world. But as with most such discussions today, it quickly turned to what’s now impossible to ignore: the AI wave.
As the group tried to make sense of this accelerating moment, one participant reached for a familiar analogy:
“People were afraid computers would take away jobs, but they ended up creating more. Maybe the AI wave will be like that too.”
It was meant to reassure. But it got me thinking — is the AI wave really like the computer and web wave?
The PC took four decades to go from one-per-family to one-per-pocket.
I don’t think so.
Let’s consider what computers did:
AI, on the other hand:
That’s not an evolutionary shift. That’s a cognitive leap.
We’re witnessing something deeper than a productivity boost. We’re mass-producing something that was once uniquely human: judgment. AI isn’t another tool we use. It’s a system that acts for us and faster, sometimes more convincingly, and increasingly without us in the loop.
And this shift isn’t slow.
AI agents could become ubiquitous in a matter of years, not decades. Especially with cloud access and low-cost subscription models offering power far beyond what most users can fully utilize.
That asymmetry, breaks old paradigms.
So no, the AI wave is not like the computer wave.
It’s not just a tool shift. It’s a shift in how cognition is produced, distributed, and trusted.
The AI wave isn’t like the computer wave. It’s the first time we’re mass-producing cognition.
What frameworks will we need for a world like that?
Ravi, your article compellingly distinguishes the AI wave from previous technological shifts. While past innovations enhanced our capabilities, AI introduces a paradigm where cognition itself is being replicated and scaled. This transformation challenges us to rethink our frameworks for trust, decision-making, and human-AI collaboration. Thank you for shedding light on this profound evolution.
Enterprise-Scale Chief Program Officer Turning Ambitious Technology Visions into Multi-Billion Dollar Realities | PMO Establishment | Global Compliance | Digital Transformation | FinTech | Strategic M&A | FAANG+
3moRaviS. Bulusu love the title—and the reminder that the AI wave isn’t just big, it’s different. It’s not a faster version of before, it’s a full reframe. Great insight.
Global Marketing Leader | B2B SaaS | Driving Revenue Growth & Brand Transformation
3moThis hits on a key distinction that often gets glossed over—AI isn't just a tool we use, it's one that can influence how we think and make decisions. To the point I think you are making, that cognitive leap you're pointing to isn’t just technical—it’s deeply human, and it demands a different kind of reflection and responsibility than past tech waves.
Executive Leader in Talent, Recruiting & Development | Deep Legal Sector Expertise | Culture Builder Driving Growth Through Complexity | Advocate for Coaching, DEI, and Continuous Learning
3moThis is such a compelling reframing of the AI conversation. I appreciate the distinction you made—AI isn’t just a better calculator; it’s a system that now shapes our decisions and perceptions. That’s a profound cognitive shift, not just a technological one. The idea of mass-producing judgment raises real questions about trust, accountability, and control. What we build—and how we govern it—will define far more than productivity in the years ahead. Thank you for sparking this level of depth in the discussion.
Certified Food Safety & Regional Leader | CP-FS | CDM, CFPP | I Help Multi-Unit Teams Stay 100% Audit-Ready, Boost Efficiency, and Build Future Leaders
3moYour take on AI’s evolution feels refreshingly grounded. It's not just a wave, it’s a fundamental shift in how we solve problems. Thanks for the thoughtful perspective.