Resisting Progress

Throughout human history, every groundbreaking leap forward has been met with skepticism, resistance, and even ridicule.

When the first automobiles rolled onto dusty roads, many saw no reason to abandon reliable horses, dismissing motor vehicles unnecessary. Some even feared that traveling over 30mph would be harmful or even fatal, as it was a common belief that the human body could not withstand such “unnatural” speeds.

Yet today, we traverse continents effortlessly and swiftly, connected by vast networks of roads, bridges, and tunnels, all thanks to pioneers embracing, rather than resisting, change.

When computers first appeared, skeptics scoffed, labeling them impractical novelties with ‘no real place in everyday life’. Even some of the era’s brightest minds believed, as famously stated in 1943, that “there is a world market for maybe five computers.” Yet these machines revolutionized every aspect of human existence, from medicine and communication to space exploration and entertainment. Now, we carry devices infinitely more powerful than those early computers in our pockets, connected to the sum of all human knowledge.

Even the mastery of fire, perhaps humanity’s first true technological revolution, was met with doubt. Hardcore hunters mocked those who cooked their meat, calling them wasteful or weak. They failed to see that this single advancement would dramatically boost survival, health, and social bonding.

The invention of the wheel, too, was once trivialized, and that dismissive attitude still echoes today in memes and jokes aimed at progress resistors. Yet the wheel became a cornerstone of civilization, enabling us to transport goods, build great cities, and spread culture across the world.

More recently, electric cars faced fierce resistance from traditional automobile enthusiasts (myself, a self-confessed petrolhead included). Many doubted their practicality, fixated on early flaws, and dismissed their benefits. Today, these vehicles are reshaping transportation, improving air quality, and helping us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels while actively addressing climate change.

Each of these transformations reveals a consistent truth:

Progress always prevails. It reshapes society, redefines what’s possible, and propels humanity forward.

We stand to gain significantly more, and achieve greater impact simply by embracing innovation without (or with lesser) resistance. History shows that resisting progress doesn’t stop it; it merely delays the inevitable and often diverts it into unintended, less optimal directions.

AI is already actively redefining healthcare, education, sustainability, creativity, economics, and more. But unlike the revolutions of the past, this one unfolds with breathtaking speed, reshaping entire industries in months, not decades.

To resist out of fear or misunderstanding might feel principled, but history reminds us that fear-based resistance often stifles the very growth we need. The wisdom lies in embracing AI responsibly, to ensure that it reflects our highest values. These systems are trained on the sum of human data, inheriting our insights, creativity, and inevitably, also our biases. To guide AI well, we must embed ethical frameworks that are not static but evolving, aligned with the changing moral pulse of society. This is our opportunity to infuse AI with intentionality, fairness, and foresight

AI will soon become as integral to our daily lives, just as electricity is today. We can no longer imagine life without power; world without AI will soon feel equally unimaginable.

Let us not repeat the missteps of past skeptics who stood passively in the path of progress. This time, the stakes are far greater and we cannot afford to let AI evolve on its own, without our guidance, our wisdom, and our values. Let us lead not just with innovation, but with intention. Let us shape its trajectory, not react to it. Let us collaborate actively, boldly, and responsibly, to ensure that this evolution reflects the best of who we are and who we aspire to become.