📖 Will AI Make Us the Last Generation to Read and Write?
According to Victor Riparbelli, CEO of AI video generation platform Synthesia, future generations might no longer need to read or write. In his TED Talk in Vienna, he predicted that audio and video will fully replace text, and books and handwriting will become historical artifacts.
Here's why he thinks so:
1️⃣ Text is an imperfect technology. It allows us to encode and transmit knowledge, but not tone of voice, body language, or context. Emojis and voice notes are just patchwork solutions to a deeper communication gap.
2️⃣ Creating videos used to be expensive, slow, and complex. Now, with AI, any idea—from a how-to guide to a novel—can be instantly turned into an engaging video. Content creation is no longer reserved for studios; anyone can become a storyteller.
3️⃣ Video already dominates. "TikTok is not just the fastest-growing social platform, it's also the fastest-growing search engine," Riparbelli notes. Whether shopping or learning, people prefer to watch and listen. Books are now a deep-dive option, not the default.
4️⃣ In a joint study by Synthesia and University College London, 77% of participants preferred learning through AI-generated video over text.
Why? Faster comprehension, personalization, and emotional resonance. Shortly, an AI avatar will teach your child math in a way no textbook can.
5️⃣ There's nothing wrong with AI-generated content. We don't mind that the actors in ads are hired professionals—so why should virtual characters be any different?
"And one day, I think we'll look back at reading and writing as historical artifacts, like we do with papyrus scrolls or hieroglyphs, or cave paintings," says Riparbelli.
📱 Watch the full talk here.
Do you think that books will really disappear?
😎 — yes, video is more natural and fun
🤓 — no, books are irreplaceable!
