From Katherine Harrington, President & CEO | West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce
Last week at the Iowa Dev 25 conference, I had the opportunity to hear one of the most thought-provoking keynotes I’ve encountered in recent memory. John McElligott, a self-proclaimed “frontier futurist” from York, Pennsylvania, took the stage and took us all on a journey—a fast-moving, powerful exploration into the blessings and burdens of artificial intelligence, robotics, and the rapidly shifting fabric of our society.
McElligott didn’t just talk about technology—he talked about humanity. He unpacked the “black box” of AI and warned of an accelerating future where artificial general intelligence (AGI) could evolve past us. With chilling clarity, he referenced Geoffrey Hinton, the “Godfather of AI,” and recent developments like the Chinese university’s “Absolute 0 AI” which, according to him, may no longer “need us.” But John’s message wasn’t just doom and data—it was deeply personal. It was a call to find our purpose in the chaos.
He reminded us that every technological revolution, from Gutenberg’s printing press to the post-WWII economic boom, has rewritten the power structures of the time. The AI revolution is no different. And while the coasts may dominate headlines, McElligott insisted it’s time for the middle—our rural and heartland communities—to step up, unite, and shape what’s next.
We’re in a pivotal moment in human history, he said, and we’re in the adaptation phase now. Just like dogs evolved alongside humans to offload our hyper-vigilance, we’re now offloading mental labor to machines. But this isn’t passive evolution—it’s one we must actively direct. “Give your AI human flaws,” he said. “Harness the hummingbird—redirect your brain. Create technologically manufactured serendipity.”
McElligott’s advice wasn’t just for futurists. It was for anyone feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure how to move forward in a world spinning faster than we’re designed for. One of his most powerful takeaways? Follow people you don’t agree with. Don’t argue—just observe. Write down how it makes you feel, and try to understand the algorithm. That’s where empathy begins.
We are, as he put it, in an age of “augmented momentum.” If we can ground that momentum in community, purpose, and collaboration—especially in the heartland—we can shape a future that uplifts, rather than unravels, humanity.
Now more than ever, it’s time for the middle to rise.