I’ve been building in tech for over 25 years. I’ve seen the rise of the internet, the mobile wave, the shift to the cloud. But nothing, absolutely nothing, feels quite like what’s happening with AI right now.
The last time I felt this kind of shift was in 1996, the first time I logged onto the internet. Back then, I instantly knew it was going to be big. None of my friends believed me. To them, it was just a curiosity, weird forums, slow-loading pages, noisy modems. But I could feel it: this thing was going to change everything. It just hadn’t been released to the world yet.
Now, nearly 30 years later, I’m feeling it again. And this time, it’s not the internet — it’s AI.
From Incremental to Transformational
For most of the past two decades, tech has moved in slow, predictable steps:
- Faster CPUs
- More RAM
- Bigger SSDs
- Faster internet
Useful? Sure. But revolutionary? Not really.
AI — especially in the past 3 years — is different. This isn’t another speed bump. It’s a leap. Tools like GPT-4, Claude, Gemini, and open-source models like Mistral are not just faster — they are fundamentally changing what software is capable of.
We’re no longer talking about programs that follow rules. We’re working with systems that can reason, write, design, reflect, translate, synthesize, and soon — even take autonomous action. This is a shift from static tools to cognitive companions.
And the pace? It’s wild. What the internet took a decade to do, AI is doing in 2–3 years.
Why I Believe AI Will Redefine Itself Within 3 Years
Today’s AI is impressive — but it’s also primitive compared to what’s coming.
Already, models are:
- Writing code to build better models
- Being wrapped in autonomous agents (like Devin or AutoGPT)
- Running inside businesses, creative workflows, and entire product stacks
- Learning to use tools, remember context, and adjust to humans
That means the definition of “AI” is changing in real time. In less than 3 years, I believe we won’t even recognize the limitations we accept today. It’ll be like comparing dial-up internet to fiber — same idea, totally different experience.
A Message to the Younger Generation
If you’re in your early 20s right now, you’re in a rare position. You didn’t just miss the last big wave — you’re right on time for this one.
I used to think the generation after you would get the good stuff. But it’s here now. And if you lean into it — not just learning tools, but building with them — you’ll be part of one of the most exciting creative and technical explosions we’ve ever seen.
I’ve been waiting over 15 years for this to happen. Now it’s real. And it’s only just beginning.
TL;DR:
- If AI feels overwhelming, that’s because it’s massive
- The pace of change is real — and getting faster
- We are living through a moment like 1996 all over again
- If you’re curious, now is the time to dive in
You won’t regret learning to build in this new world.
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