Revisiting the AI Dream: Strategic Lessons from the Fifth Generation to the Current Stage of AI Models

Author : Ján Papula, Katarína Gubíniová, Dominik Šteffko

Abstract :A deeper understanding of AI’s historical trajectory is essential for developing strategic thinking that transcends short-term technological enthusiasm. Strategic literacy in AI enables decision-makers to anticipate cycles of innovation and stagnation, align technological capabilities with organizational purpose, and mitigate the risk of repeating past strategic errors. This study examines how historical perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI) shape its current strategic importance and the belief in its ability to fulfill its original vision. Drawing on the documented evolution of AI from the early 1980s Fifth Generation Computer Systems (FGCS) initiative to the contemporary era of foundation models, the research investigates the cyclical nature of optimism, disappointment, and strategic realignment in AI development. The study combines qualitative research with an interpretive evaluation of 128 respondents’ reflections after watching a series of documentaries on the origins of AI. Using thematic analysis, the research identifies key factors that support or limit the strategic implementation of AI within corporate environments, emphasizing the role of strategic vision, institutional learning, and the cognitive framing of technological progress. The paper concludes that historical literacy about AI’s origins enhances strategic-level understanding, enabling organizations to approach AI adoption with greater foresight, ethical awareness, and adaptive capacity.

Keywords :Artificial Intelligence, Strategic Vision, History of AI.

Conference Name :International Conference on Strategic Management (ICOSGM -25)

Conference Place Tokyo, Japan

Conference Date 12th Nov 2025