At the Italian Tech Week 2025, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos emphasized that, despite the remarkable advancements in AI, only inventions born from imagination will truly shape the future.
Algorithms excel at analyzing, predicting, and executing repetitive tasks at lightning speed. However, these machines cannot invent something entirely new. Creating a radically innovative solution requires a spark that only human imagination can provide. According to Bezos, this ability to conceive the unexpected is the true driver of progress. Amazon owes its inception to this form of raw invention, just as his space venture, Blue Origin, is based on previously uncharted ideas.
The Anecdote of the Ranch and the Garage That Shape an Inventor
Jeff Bezos often recounts his summers spent with his grandfather in Texas, where they would repair agricultural machines with makeshift tools.
On one occasion, they even constructed a homemade crane to move a broken bulldozer. These experiences deeply influenced young Bezos, teaching him to solve real-world problems without waiting for ready-made solutions.
He describes himself today as a “born inventor,” capable of generating a hundred ideas in thirty minutes in front of a simple whiteboard.
Following his anecdote about the ranch that shaped an inventor, Jeff Bezos shares a surprising revelation: he fears two young enthusiasts working in a garage more than any established competitor.
He points to examples like Apple, which was born in Steve Jobs’ garage, or Google, launched from a college dorm. These cases illustrate that innovation rarely emerges from large organizations.
It arises when free thinkers dare to envision differently. Even the most impressive advancements in AI, according to Amazon’s creator, do not replace this creative audacity.
The Only Skill That Neither Amazon Nor AI Can Replicate
During interviews at Amazon, Jeff Bezos consistently poses the same question. He asks candidates to share a personal invention, big or small.
Education is secondary. What matters is demonstrating the ability to imagine and bring a new idea to life. Those who dislike exploring or taking risks quickly leave the company.
The billionaire goes even further. The head of Amazon is currently preparing Prometheus, a new startup focused on AI applied to engineering and physical industry.
This project demonstrates his belief in the tremendous potential of artificial intelligence. However, he emphasizes: even the most powerful tools will remain assistants. They accelerate human work but cannot replace it when it comes to creating something unprecedented.
Technical skills can be learned quickly, but a creative mindset comes from within. Creativity is the ultimate skill that neither robots nor algorithms will ever be able to replicate.
