Don’t Underestimate the Pace of Change

Thoughts about technology that is inclusive, trusted, and creates a more sustainable world

These posts represent my personal views on the future of the digital economy powered by the cloud and artificial intelligence. Unless otherwise indicated, they do not represent the official views of Microsoft.

After more than 130 posts, the Trusted Technology blog is shifting from a weekly cadence to an occasional one. We’ve covered many of the crucial themes of digital transformation, from AI to privacy regulations, from rural broadband to the promise of new networks like 5G, from sustainable technology to digital sovereignty. The digital transformation of the world economy and everyday life is still a work very much in progress. I’d venture to say that we are still much closer to the beginning than to the conclusion of this process. I’m still struck by the fundamental truth and enduring relevance of something Bill Gates said nearly a quarter of a century ago, back in the pre-smartphone, pre-AI, pre-cloud era of the mid-1990s:

“We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. Don't let yourself be lulled into inaction.”

?The Trusted Technology blog will be back in the months ahead with more coverage of the accelerating pace of technology change and its impact on vital public policy issues, so please do continue to stay tuned and look forward to continuing the dialogue.