Robert Kahn has been a fixture in the tech world since co-creating the internet. But his contributions extend beyond that, touching on concepts that foreshadowed modern ideas like AI agents and blockchain. In a conversation with TechCrunch, Kahn reflects on how the challenges faced today are reminiscent of those from the ’70s.
The interview coincided with Kahn, affectionately known as Bob, being honored with the IEEE Medal of Honor this week. It’s a moment of recognition shared with his longtime collaborator Vint Cerf, who received the same honor last year.
Reflecting on the challenges of today, Kahn doesn’t express much surprise. He always harbored concerns about the potential misuse of the internet. In its early days, collaboration was key among a small group of researchers who knew each other well. However, as the internet expanded to include billions of users, societal issues inevitably crept in.
One of Kahn’s pioneering endeavors was the development of “knowbots” – early versions of AI agents designed to perform tasks on the internet. While the concept showed promise, it coincided with the emergence of cybersecurity threats like the Morris worm, dampening enthusiasm for such initiatives.
Out of this setback emerged the digital object architecture, a precursor to blockchain technology. It allowed for the representation of digital objects in various ways, akin to the versatility of cryptocurrency.
Kahn sees parallels between the digital object architecture and the DOI system used in scientific literature, noting their potential applications beyond copyrighted materials.
Discussing the evolution of hardware, Kahn highlights the need for the U.S. to regain leadership in semiconductor manufacturing. However, he also emphasizes the importance of workforce development in sustaining this leadership.
Hope this version captures the essence of the interview in a more conversational tone! Let me know if you need any further adjustments.
