In 1987, amidst the rising tide of expert systems, Oracle's co-founder, Larry Ellison, cautioned against the indiscriminate application of artificial intelligence, a warning that resonates profoundly within the 2026 technology landscape. At a time when "expert systems" were being touted as the future of enterprise software, Ellison argued that "not everything should be AI".
Ellison's perspective, voiced during a Computerworld roundtable, stood in contrast to the prevailing optimism surrounding AI. While others envisioned AI as a transformative architectural layer, Ellison advocated for its selective and deeply embedded application, rather than a universal solution. He emphasized focusing AI where it could truly alter the economics or usability of system development.
His remarks highlighted the potential misuse of expert systems, suggesting that over-reliance on them would be unproductive. Instead, Ellison stressed that AI, which he defined as "human expertise done artificially by computers," should be employed judiciously, acknowledging that expertise is integral to all endeavors.
Fast forward to 2026, and Ellison's cautionary words appear prescient. The AI landscape has exploded, permeating nearly every facet of technology and daily life. AI's influence spans across industries, from healthcare and finance to transportation and entertainment. Yet, alongside the remarkable advancements, concerns about AI's ethical implications, potential biases, and job displacement have also grown.
Oracle itself has become a major player in the AI arena. The company is hosting the Oracle AI World Tour 2026, showcasing the latest breakthroughs in AI-powered products. Oracle is also offering its AI Database 26ai, which brings enterprise AI to on-premises deployments. Oracle's AI solutions are designed to address various business challenges across data, applications, and cloud infrastructure.
Despite Oracle's embrace of AI, Ellison's original caution remains relevant. The tech world is grappling with the need for responsible AI development and deployment. There's a growing recognition that AI should augment human capabilities, not replace them entirely. Selective application, as Ellison suggested, is becoming a guiding principle for many organizations.
Oracle's current strategies reflect Ellison's sentiment. Oracle is channeling AI to improve cloud infrastructure and boost its competitive enterprise positioning. Oracle's AI is also helping businesses gain insights from their data and make more informed decisions.
Ellison's 1987 perspective serves as a reminder that technology, even as powerful as AI, should be wielded with careful consideration and a focus on enhancing, rather than supplanting, human expertise. As AI continues to evolve, his words offer a valuable framework for navigating the complex and ever-changing technological landscape.
