This week I heard multiple people compare the current AI revolution to the period when the internet was introduced in the ’90s. One was an accomplished entrepreneur I had a conversation with. Another, a seasoned VC investor who founded his firm in 1994 and has ridden the wave since, was on a podcast.

One of my takeaways from both conversations was that the internet introduced a new technology paradigm that reshaped society and led to a financial gold rush that lasted decades.

All of this got me thinking. I’m curious about how the cycles around new technologies work and how to identify what stage of a technology cycle you’re in. I have a rough idea, but not as detailed an understanding as I’d like. I’m going to look for some historical books on this topic to help fill my gaps.