Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
Meaning
Clarke offered this as his Third Law in a revised edition of his book on predicting the future. New tools can seem miraculous to people who don't understand them. When a gadget or AI feels like magic, spend ten minutes learning its basics so you stay in control of it.
Source: Profiles of the Future, revised edition (1973)
About the author
(1917–2008) was a British science fiction writer, futurist, and inventor best known for his novel "2001: A Space Odyssey." His work often explored advanced technology, space exploration, and humanity’s future. Clarke’s visionary ideas included early concepts of satellite communication, which later became reality. His writing combined scientific accuracy with imaginative storytelling, inspiring generations of scientists and readers. Clarke believed in the potential of human progress through technology and knowledge. His contributions to both literature and science have made him one of the most respected figures in science fiction and futurism.
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