Co jeśli internet będzie unosił się w powietrzu? | Sebastian Iwanowski | TEDxKoźmiński University

Sebastian Iwanowski opens by tracing the historical miniaturization of technology — from room-sized computers to desktops, pockets, and wrists — arguing that technology consistently trends toward becoming smaller, less noticeable, and more natural. He poses the central question: will we still pull out phones in 10 years, or will the internet surround us so naturally that screens become unnecessary?

He identifies a core paradox: screens demand our full attention (illustrated by the humorous example of checking the time and ending up watching someone build a miniature house for a turtle), yet we simultaneously strive to make technology more seamlessly integrated into life. He argues this tension points toward augmented reality (AR) as the logical next step — not a better screen, but technology that blends with physical reality.

Iwanowski notes that the AR transition is already underway through smartphones: millions of people already use AR to preview furniture in their homes, virtually try on makeup, or test products in their own space, often without consciously thinking of it as AR. He emphasizes that major tech companies are studying how people react to these 'digital layers of the world' to prepare for a future where AR glasses become as ubiquitous as smartphones.

He presents several concrete use cases: surgeons in Poland have been using AR since 2019 to overlay 3D organ models and medical data directly onto patients during operations; museums could use AR to restore artworks to their original appearance with missing fragments and historical context; and classrooms could transform into immersive environments where children physically walk among planets rather than reading about them.

Iwanowski also frames AR as a tool for accessibility and inclusion — breaking down communication barriers and making experiences like doctor visits more accessible. He further argues that when combined with artificial intelligence, the technology will move beyond displaying information to truly understanding context: what we see, where we are, and what we need.

He concludes with a philosophical concern: for thousands of years, humans have shared the same reality, but AR could shatter that. Two people standing face-to-face might see entirely different things — one seeing ads, another seeing art; one seeing work notifications, another seeing real-time translations. He argues the ultimate question is not how advanced the technology will be, but what happens to shared human experience when everyone begins seeing a different world. The smartphone, he suggests, is not the final screen but the first step toward a reality where the internet becomes a layer of the world itself.