I am suggesting that we recognize that in network and interface research there is something as profound (and potential wild) as Artificial Intelligence.

In this quote, Vernor Vinge highlights the potential of network and interface research as being just as profound—and potentially as disruptive—as Artificial Intelligence (AI). He suggests that the advancements in networking technologies and the ways in which interfaces connect different systems could lead to developments that rival the transformative impact of AI. Essentially, Vinge is proposing that we should recognize the emerging possibilities in these fields as holding the same level of significance for the future of technology.

The mention of something being "as profound (and potential wild) as Artificial Intelligence" emphasizes the unpredictability and transformative power of advances in network and interface research. Just as AI has the potential to revolutionize multiple aspects of society, Vinge implies that the same could happen with new networking systems and how we interface with machines. He hints that these developments could lead to innovations that radically alter our understanding of communication, technology, and even consciousness itself.

Vinge, known for his work in science fiction, often explored futuristic concepts such as networked consciousness and the singularity—ideas that closely relate to advancements in both AI and networking technologies. His perspective here connects to his broader views on the way technology might evolve to create new forms of intelligence or ways of connecting human minds with machines, and with each other.

Ultimately, Vinge’s quote encourages us to broaden our understanding of technological advancements by considering fields like network and interface research as critical to future innovation. It underscores the idea that while AI might dominate current discussions about the future of technology, other areas—such as how we connect and interact with information—may prove just as revolutionary.