AI is no longer just a promise — it’s changing how we work, and that’s a good thing

[Editor’s Note: This post is an excerpt from our new book, Human + AI: The new way to build apps that are lovable. In this foreword, ArcTouch CEO Eric N. Shapiro shares how decades of technological innovation led to a pivotal moment — one where AI is not replacing human creativity but amplifying it.]

I always knew artificial intelligence would be disruptive — I just didn’t know when. 

Back in college in the late 1980s, I studied computer science and engineering. It was there that I first delved into AI, learning how machines could process data and think about solving problems. My senior project, which involved building an AI-powered Stratego game, took a full semester and resulted in a text-based console application. It ignited my curiosity and excitement for what AI could eventually mean for industry — and even for daily life. 

However, for decades, my anticipation for mainstream AI adoption went into hibernation. AI felt more like a distant promise than a practical reality.

I've experienced several seismic technology shifts throughout my life and career. From the first personal computers in my childhood to the internet, then mobile phones – each one fundamentally changed how we live and work. AI is the most transformative technology I've witnessed. It makes me feel like a kid again, learning something entirely new and exciting.

A few months ago, I decided to revisit that college project. What took me a semester to create back then, AI helped me recreate and improve in mere minutes today. It illustrated the true, immediate power of AI for builders like ArcTouch. 

This book is about that power. It’s about how AI is supercharging our time-tested process for building apps that are lovable, not replacing it. Our strength remains our people, but now, with AI, it is helping us do our jobs faster, smarter, and with more creativity than ever.

The next generation of apps will be built by AI-empowered teams. It’s not a prediction; it's our daily reality. 

This isn't a blind leap. Our nearly two decades in app development give us a unique perspective. We approach AI with our eyes wide open, understanding the immense potential, but also the limitations and the critical need for intentional, responsible use.

AI isn't here to replace human ingenuity; it's here to amplify it. This is the era of advanced human intelligence, where AI becomes the ultimate tool for our skilled specialists.