Using unforgeable digital fingerprints, agents could vouch for their masters’ identity and prove that they had not been corrupted.
Predictor: Bennahum, David S.
Prediction, in context:In a 1994 article for The Economist, David S. Bennahum discusses intelligent-agent software technology and the effect it will have on networks. He writes:”Agent technology requires two things to flourish: effective agents and an environment friendly to them. Most agent aficionados imagine a world in which agents buy things. That means entrusting them with money or credit, and some kind of power of attorney so they can make contracts. That requires a secure system. General Magic, using technology licensed from RSA Data Security, an encryption specialist in California, hopes to provide this. Using unforgeable digital fingerprints, agents could vouch for their masters’ identity and prove that they had not been corrupted.”
Date of prediction: May 1, 1994
Topic of prediction: Getting, Sharing Information
Subtopic: Intelligent Agents/AI
Name of publication: The Economist
Title, headline, chapter name: Have Data, Will Travel
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://memex.org/havedatawilltravel.html
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney