Unexpected Connections: How Tech's Hidden Talents Spill Over Into Surprising Places

As I mentioned in my previous article about idea terroir, the information we consume forms the soil that feeds our ideas. David Quammen's Spillover, a book I read last year, has certainly taken root in that soil, becoming part of my "idea terroir"—those foundational concepts that shape my understanding of the world. It sparked a connection in my mind between the biological phenomenon of spillover and the often unexpected trajectory of technological evolution.

Consider the humble CAPTCHA, designed to distinguish humans from bots. Who knew it would inadvertently train AI to become incredibly adept at deciphering distorted text, essentially aiding the very bots it aimed to thwart? This exemplifies the unintended consequences—the spillover, if you will—of technological advancement.

Beyond such unintended consequences, technology also frequently exhibits "emergent capabilities"—unforeseen functionalities that arise organically. These unexpected features, much like ideas escaping the confines of a laboratory, can take on lives of their own, transforming how we live and work in ways their creators never envisioned.

The Biological Blueprint of Spillover

In the book, spillover refers to a pathogen crossing over from one species to another, sometimes with drastic, even transformative, impacts. Quammen’s book details cases like SARS and Ebola—viruses that spilled over from animals to humans, with sweeping consequences.

In tech, we see similar crossovers. Take, for example, GPS technology. Originally developed by the military for navigation, it’s now the backbone of countless civilian applications, from ride-sharing to food delivery. Just as viruses adapt to new hosts, tech adapts to new uses, often in ways that were never foreseen.

Another example of unexpected spillover effects in recent years came with the rise of streaming services, such as Netflix and Spotify. These platforms were created to make content more accessible, but they also inadvertently reduced piracy rates. By providing affordable, convenient access to high-quality content, streaming services met the demand that previously drove users to piracy, showing how offering a better alternative can address issues in unpredictable ways.

Spillover isn’t just for viruses and tech; it’s been happening in kitchens for centuries. For example, fermentation began as a food preservation technique, yet today it’s responsible for some of the world’s most beloved flavors, from beer to kimchi. Similarly, the spread of spices like chili peppers, native to the Americas, completely transformed cuisines across Asia, Africa, and Europe.

In each case, culinary spillovers enrich traditions, just as tech spillovers fuel innovations across industries. It’s a reminder that when ideas cross boundaries, they gain new flavors and forms, leading to unexpected breakthroughs.

Emergent Capabilities: Technology’s Hidden Talents

Emergent capabilities are those unplanned uses or benefits that develop once a technology is released. Take social media algorithms, initially designed to recommend content based on past engagement. Over time, they evolved into powerful tools for shaping public opinion and even driving social movements. Here, the “emergent capability” lies in the way these platforms influence behaviors far beyond simple engagement, touching on psychology, politics, and even ethics.

Or consider blockchain technology. Though initially conceptualized as a decentralized currency platform, blockchain’s transparent and secure ledger has found use in healthcare for tracking medication or in supply chains for verifying product origins. These emergent applications go beyond financial transactions, touching various sectors with new possibilities.

Embracing the Unintended

There are countless examples of spillover and emergent capabilities across industries, and hash calculations are a fascinating one. Initially developed as a way to create unique digital signatures and verify data integrity, hash functions have since become a cornerstone of blockchain technology. By providing a secure method to verify transaction authenticity without revealing the actual content, hash calculations helped transform blockchain from a niche idea into a revolutionary framework for digital currency. But the spillover didn’t stop there—blockchain itself has sparked applications in sectors like supply chain management, where hashes are now used to verify product origins and authenticity, enhancing transparency and trust in goods from electronics to pharmaceuticals. Hash functions have even extended into data security, enabling innovations in areas like tamper-proof voting systems and digital identity verification, ultimately showing how a single cryptographic tool can evolve into unexpected forms, transforming industries far beyond its original purpose.

With tech advancing rapidly, we’re bound to see more spillover and emergent capabilities—whether in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, or even everyday apps. So, how can we prepare for a future that promises to be full of these surprises? We can start by fostering an “idea terroir” that’s rich in curiosity and adaptability, ready to welcome the unexpected.

These tech spillovers ask us to rethink how we design and use technology. Are there ways to anticipate emergent capabilities, or should we simply embrace the surprises they bring? As with biology, the boundaries between innovation and consequence are always shifting.

Call to Action: What Surprising Tech Leap Have You Seen?

Have you encountered a piece of tech that found an unexpected use? Or noticed a feature that became way more useful than you first thought? Share your stories, and let’s explore the hidden lives of the technologies shaping our world.

Next on Pilgrim's Guide: Speaking of emergent capabilities and spillovers, in our next edition we will explore how Atari games took us into a world where scientists are able to simulate and predict virtually the whole set of possible proteins.