The current state of the AI industry is marked by significant advancements, investments, and regulatory changes. Here's an overview of recent developments:
The AI market is experiencing rapid growth, with the global AI market size projected to reach $184 billion in 2024, up from $142.3 billion in 2023, and expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 36.6% between 2024 and 2030[5]. The U.S. AI market is particularly strong, with a projected value of $50.16 billion in 2024, followed by China at $34.20 billion[5].
Recent market movements include a surge in AI adoption, with 72% of organizations now using AI, up from 50% in previous years[4]. This growth is driven by the increasing use of generative AI, with 65% of respondents reporting regular use in at least one business function[4].
In terms of deals and partnerships, the AI industry has seen significant investments, with $25.2 billion invested in generative AI in 2023, nearly nine times the amount invested in 2022[5]. AI tech startups received 31% of global venture funding in the third quarter of 2024, highlighting the sector's dominance in attracting investment[5].
Emerging competitors include Cerebras, which is gaining momentum in AI research, while NVIDIA continues to lead the market, used more than 11 times all its peers combined in AI research[2].
New product launches include AI-powered self-driving vehicles, which generate over $170 billion in annual revenue worldwide[3]. Additionally, AI-powered consumer hardware, such as Meta's AI-powered Ray-Bans, have proven to be successful[2].
Regulatory changes are also impacting the AI industry, with the U.S. formalizing non-binding assurances from big AI labs around safety and notification via executive order[2]. Europe is moving ahead with regulation, causing product launches to be abandoned or significantly slowed[2].
In terms of shifts in consumer behavior, companies that purchase AI products are paying more for them and retaining usage longer, with this past year's cohort performing much better than the year prior[2]. AI-first companies founded after 2020 are scaling significantly quicker than their peers, with the most successful hitting $30M+ in 20 months versus 65 for traditional SaaS[2].
Price changes include a decline in AI compute prices, which is expected to continue in 2025 as new data center capacity comes online[1]. This is beneficial for startups, which are primarily consumers of compute and will benefit from overbuilding by Big Tech companies[1].
Supply chain developments include the rising demand for AI infrastructure, which is placing strain on infrastructure and jeopardizing big tech companies' net zero commitments[2].
Industry leaders are responding to current challenges by focusing on completing new projects on-time and on-budget, and working with enterprises to help them achieve success with their new AI capabilities[1]. For example, Sequoia Capital predicts that 2025 will be a stabilization year for AI CapEx, with Big Tech companies feeling more confident and focused on execution[1].
Compared to the previous reporting period, the AI industry has seen significant growth and investment, with a shift towards more practical applications and commercialization. However, regulatory challenges and infrastructure strain remain key concerns for the industry moving forward.