Seminal: when something is so original and groundbreaking it influences everything that comes after it.
True seminal moments in history are actually quite rare. Some people think every latest technological advance qualifies as "seminal." That's often inaccurate. A faster, cheaper way to do something we've always done might be progress, but it's not seminal.
It's possible our last true seminal moment was the printing press, five centuries ago, when it became possible to mass print and distribute content for the first time in human history. That made possible the spread of ideas, which made literacy a requirement. Prior to the printing press, it was possible to lead a full and productive life without ever knowing how to read, write, or even sign your own name. The printing press changed all that. To lead a productive life, you had to learn to read, and that changed everything from religion to art to science to so very much more. No doubt, a true seminal event in human history.
It's entirely possible we're living through a seminal moment right now, as we see the development of Artificial Intelligence. Re-read the second half of that definition above: "influences everything that comes after it." AI is used today in education, healthcare, finance, entertainment, and all manner of business and industry. What its role should be in society is being debated, and lawmakers are struggling to legislate it. Whatever the outcome of the current debates, one thing is certain: this technology is going to transform how we live, work, and play in ways we can't predict yet.
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Jack Heslin
Founder
theAIconversation