It’s intriguing how some tech enthusiasts get excited over “new” ideas that are often old news. Recently, a friend gushed about his major breakthrough with large language models (LLMs). He was thrilled that knowledge is structured in language, suggesting you could test this with any word in ChatGPT. It’s a fascinating thought but, honestly, it’s a realization that scholars have discussed for over a century.
He likened LLMs to the invention of writing, which seems a bit over the top. This notion echoes structuralism—a theory that has been around since Ferdinand de Saussure discussed the relationship between language and meaning. While it’s great to see excitement around technology, it’s essential to recognize that not every “discovery” is groundbreaking.
This ties into a broader issue in tech culture: hubris. Many in Silicon Valley believe they are solving the world’s problems without acknowledging past knowledge. For example, Elon Musk expressed amazement at the complexities of human hands—something artists and doctors have understood for years. Or Palmer Luckey’s surprise at the lack of postmortem analysis on the One Laptop Per Child project, despite a whole book covering it. These examples demonstrate a concerning trend where tech leaders overlook existing knowledge.
Take Juicero, for example—a company that offered a $400 juicer that did what a simple hand squeeze could do. These missed connections show a lack of curiosity and can lead to unfruitful ventures. In recent years, many tech projects have been launched without understanding genuine consumer needs. Startups often chase trends, investing in NFTs and the metaverse, mostly for profit, not to solve real problems. Many of these initiatives didn’t take off, showing that consumers weren’t on board with such concepts.
Historically, successful tech innovations like the iPhone were built to address specific needs. It wasn’t about inventing the future; it stemmed from listening to what people wanted. This crucial aspect seems forgotten today, replaced by a mindset that assumes consumers will adapt to whatever is thrown their way.
A 2022 PwC survey found that more than half of CEOs believe AI will be a key tool for growth, yet many consumers still don’t see its real value in their daily lives. While LLMs do have potential for organizing data and streamlining tasks, most people don’t feel the urge to use them for everyday needs. For many, it’s just easier to Google a question rather than rely on an AI for answers, especially as LLMs often output inaccurate information.
Even more, tech trends like AI music generators are often misguided. They presume there’s a vast audience just waiting to create music, yet those who enjoy music commonly prefer listening over making it. This disconnect has fueled a troubling trend in self-publishing, where low-quality AI-generated content clutters platforms and makes it challenging to find authentic works.
The gap between tech innovators and normal people widens when techies focus solely on ideas that resonate within their circle, rather than considering the broader public’s experiences and preferences. As a result, products that are supposed to “revolutionize” daily life often miss the mark.
Ultimately, true innovation lies in understanding consumer needs and creating practical solutions. Instead of forcing tech advancements on uninterested users, future success hinges on recognizing what people genuinely value. With some self-reflection, those in the tech industry might see that creating what people want is far more sustainable than pushing an obligatory future they’ve envisioned.
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