Steve Jobs Predicts the Future of Computers in Never-Before-Seen Footage [Video]

New video footage of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs has been shared by the Steve Jobs Archive. The footage is from Jobs’ talk at the 1983 International Design Conference in Aspen.

In the speech, Steve predicted that computers would become essential household items, the Internet would revolutionize global communication, and mobile devices would evolve into powerful personal computers. He emphasized the importance of user-friendly interfaces in driving tech design and foresaw digital content creation and distribution transforming industries.

Regarding AI, Jobs predicted it would enhance user experiences by making technology more intuitive. He believed machines could learn from user interactions, automate complex tasks, and integrate into devices to make technology smarter and more accessible.

Sir Jony Ive, former SVP of Industrial Design and Chief Design Officer at Apple, offered the following introduction to the video.

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Introduction by Jony Ive

Steve rarely attended design conferences. This was 1983, before the launch of the Mac, and still relatively early days of Apple. I find it breathtaking how profound his understanding was of the dramatic changes that were about to happen as the computer became broadly accessible. Of course, beyond just being prophetic, he was fundamental in defining products that would change our culture and our lives forever.

On the eve of launching the first truly personal computer, Steve is not solely preoccupied with the founding technology and functionality of the product’s design. This is extraordinarily unusual, as in the early stages of dramatic innovation, it is normally the primary technology that benefits from all of the attention and focus.

Steve points out that the design effort in the U.S. at the time had been focused on the automobile, with little consideration or effort given to consumer electronics. While it is not unusual to hear leaders talk about the national responsibility to manufacture, I thought it was interesting that he talked about a nation’s responsibility to design.

In the talk, Steve predicts that by 1986 sales of the PC would exceed sales of cars, and that in the following ten years, people would be spending more time with a PC than in a car. These were absurd claims for the early 1980s. Describing what he sees as the inevitability that this would be a pervasive new category, he asks the designers in the audience for help. He asks that they start to think about the design of these products, because designed well or designed poorly, they still would be made.

Steve remains one of the best educators I’ve ever met in my life. He had that ability to explain incredibly abstract, complex technologies in terms that were accessible, tangible and relevant. You hear him describe the computer as doing nothing more than completing fairly mundane tasks, but doing so very quickly. He gives the example of running out to grab a bunch of flowers and returning by the time you could snap your fingers – speed rendering the task magical.

When I look back on our work, what I remember most fondly are not the products but the process. Part of Steve’s brilliance was how he learned to support the creative process, encouraging and developing ideas even in large groups of people. He treated the process of creating with a rare and wonderful reverence.

The revolution Steve described over 40 years ago did of course happen, partly because of his profound commitment to a kind of civic responsibility. He cared, way beyond any sort of functional imperative. His was a victory for beauty, for purity and, as he would say, for giving a damn. He truly believed that by making something useful, empowering and beautiful, we express our love for humanity.
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Take a look at the full 55 minute video at the link below!

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