The Speed of the AI Revolution Surpasses Any Previous Technological Wave
John Chambers, former CEO of Cisco, who led the tech giant during the collapse of its stock value in the dot-com bubble, now looks at artificial intelligence with the same fascination he once had for the internet revolution. At 76, Chambers no longer runs a corporation — he now advises leaders and invests, as a venture capitalist, in AI startups.
He emphasizes that the key difference between the two technological waves is speed. While in the early internet era a startup needed two or three years to bring a product to market, today many AI companies complete products in just a few weeks and launch them commercially within one or two quarters.
A Revolution of Opportunities — and Enormous Risks
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“We will destroy jobs faster than we can replace them,” Chambers warns. He believes that a difficult period lies ahead, one in which millions of people will need to retrain. Entry-level jobs, both white-collar and blue-collar, will disappear rapidly, forcing governments and companies to rethink education systems and the way they create new employment opportunities.
Although AI will bring productivity and growth in the long run, the transition could leave massive gaps in the labor market. “Probably half of the Fortune 500 companies — and just as many executives — will disappear because they lack the skills to adapt to an innovative economy where development cycles last 12 months, not five years,” he told in fortune.com.
Chambers describes the current global landscape as “the most uncertain period of all time.” In his view, adaptability and rapid reinvention are becoming essential conditions for organizational survival.
He also notes a shift in Big Tech’s political alignment, observing that many companies have moved to the right during President Donald Trump’s second term, mainly for economic and regulatory reasons.
Competition with China: A Major Risk for the U.S.
The former CEO also highlights the growing rivalry between the U.S. and China. According to him, Beijing disregards international rules and intellectual property while using all available resources to surpass America militarily, economically, and technologically. “I don’t see them as a partner, but as a serious competitor on all fronts,” Chambers said, warning that the next five years will be “extremely tense and dangerous.”
Photo: freepik.com
