Photo: Getty Images/iStockphotoJohannes Gutenberg ’s printing press revolutionized life in the 15th century, making it possible for ideas to travel around the world at previously unimaginable speeds and creating huge gains for mankind. Gutenberg tried to keep his technique a secret, but a disgruntled former investor, Johann Fust , soon replicated his device. Fust launched his own press and poached Gutenberg’s top techie, Peter Schoeffer . Imagine if the printing press had been kept secret and controlled by one company, or confined within one nation. It’s an imperfect analogy, but it offers a useful way to frame the current debate around artificial intelligence.

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Persons: Johannes Gutenberg ’, Gutenberg, Johann Fust, Fust, Peter Schoeffer