Why billionaire tech investor David Cheriton thinks self-driving cars, AI, and IoT are on the downturn in 2021

• Early investor in Google and VMware David Cheriton believes self-driving cars, AI, and IoT are overhyped.
• One area that Cheriton doesn’t think is on its way out is computing and automation.
• “I like the Darwin view that most mutations are harmful and most innovations are not very useful or compelling.”

In September, Forbes contributor Bernard Marr listed AI and vehicle automation among the five biggest technology trends to keep an eye out for in 2021. Other industry analysts, such as global research and advisory firm Gartner, have also included AI on their list of top strategic technology trends for this year.

But one industry expert who doesn’t agree is David Cheriton.

Cheriton is best known for being an early investor in Google. But he has many other feathers in his cap, including being an early angel investor in VMware and the founder and CEO of Apstra, which helps companies simplify and automate their data center network.