Ekin Caglar
Friday Thought · Wed 12 March 2025

Bill Gates explaining the internet to David Letterman

We are arguing about which AI apps will matter. The thing that matters is the capability underneath, and the complexity it lets us build.

Remember when Bill Gates tried to explain the internet to David Letterman in 1995? It's hilarious to watch now, knowing how completely the internet transformed everything.

Bill Gates Explains the Internet to Dave, 1995 · Late Show with David Letterman

It feels a bit like that today when we try to predict exactly what AI will do. It's about the underlying capability, not just the shiny new apps that we'll undoubtedly laugh at thirty years from now.

So, instead of focusing solely on specific use cases — which are likely to evolve rapidly — I think the key takeaway is that AI will allow us to build more complex solutions across every industry. That's why, when I talk about AI, I focus on how it will enable increased complexity.

First posted on LinkedIn, Wed 12 March 2025. · All Friday Thoughts