What Would Steve Jobs Say (WWSJS?) about AI?

As a product manager, I often ponder how technology can improve human lives--enabling people to do things they never thought possible and helping them to, in turn, help other people to learn, grow, and thrive. Likewise, Steve Jobs deeply cared about improving human lives with technology. His entire approach to innovation was rooted in creating products that not only worked well but also enriched people's lives by making them easier, more enjoyable, and more meaningful. Jobs often spoke about how technology, when thoughtfully designed, had the power to enhance the human experience. Steve Jobs was a strong proponent of leading customers rather than following them. He trusted in his vision and instincts, often pushing boundaries to create products that customers didn't even know they needed. In this article, I try to recapture some of Job's unique spirit that continues to resonate in the the world of tech today and is more important than ever as we look at ways to apply AI.

Reclaiming Humanity in a World of Intelligent Machines

As technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented rate, we find ourselves standing at the crossroads of a new era. Artificial intelligence (AI), with its immense computational power and growing capabilities, promises to revolutionize industries and reshape the world as we know it. Yet, in this rush to embrace AI, we risk losing something profoundly important: our humanity.

AI can automate tasks, predict behaviors, and even simulate creativity, but it cannot replicate the unique qualities that make us human—our intuition, emotions, empathy, and imagination. If we are not careful, we may find ourselves in a world that prioritizes efficiency over connection, data over emotion, and automation over human touch. That would be a tragedy.

The Human Element

AI can be a tool for tremendous good, but only if we remember to wield it thoughtfully. At its best, technology should elevate human experiences, not diminish them. Yet, we’ve seen too many instances where the rush to implement AI has led to impersonal products that sacrifice empathy for efficiency. Automated customer service bots that frustrate rather than assist. Algorithms that feed us what we want to hear rather than challenging our perspectives. Systems that optimize for speed but lack the warmth of human interaction.

We must remind ourselves that people don’t just want products that work; they want products that feel right. They want to connect with something deeper—something meaningful. The future of AI must be shaped not just by engineers and data scientists but by designers, philosophers, and storytellers who understand the human experience.

Crafting AI for Connection, Not Isolation

AI’s true potential lies not in replacing human beings but in augmenting our ability to connect, create, and innovate. Instead of building AI systems that replace human interactions, we should focus on designing systems that empower us to be more creative, more thoughtful, and more connected.

Take healthcare, for example. AI has the potential to revolutionize diagnostics, but if we forget the patient’s emotional needs in the process, we lose the very essence of care. An AI-generated diagnosis may be accurate, but it lacks the empathy of a doctor’s reassurance. AI should assist doctors in providing better care, not replace the trust and compassion that patients need.

Or consider education. AI can tailor learning experiences to individual students' needs, but we must not overlook the importance of mentorship, personal encouragement, and the spark that a passionate teacher can ignite in a classroom. AI should be a tool to enhance the learning experience, not to depersonalize it.

Design with Humanity in Mind

To reclaim our humanity in a world of intelligent machines, we must prioritize design that respects the human experience. This means creating products that feel personal, intuitive, and—most importantly—human. It means balancing efficiency with empathy, data with intuition, and algorithms with emotion.

As we build AI systems, we must ask ourselves: Does this technology make life more meaningful? Does it foster connection, creativity, or joy? Does it respect the dignity of the individual? If the answer is no, then we are designing in the wrong direction.

The Road Ahead

As we look toward the future, we must remember that technology is not an end in itself—it is a means to an end. That end should always be to enhance the human experience. AI has the power to amplify our abilities, to help us solve problems we never thought possible, and to push the boundaries of innovation. But it is up to us to ensure that, in the process, we do not lose sight of what makes us truly human.

Let’s use AI not to isolate us but to bring us closer together. Let’s design products that don’t just work but resonate deeply. Let’s shape a future where intelligent machines serve humanity, not the other way around.

The true power of AI lies not in the machine, but in the human spirit that guides its development. We must always remember that.

— Steve Jobs (If he were here today)