‘Trends — Artificial Intelligence’ Report
The landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed rapidly. Recent reports highlight an exceptional surge in AI adoption. Venture capitalist Mary Meeker’s latest trends report, titled ‘Trends — Artificial Intelligence,’ emphasises this unprecedented pace. The report illustrates how AI’s adoption curve is unlike previous technological advancements. It also points out challenges like biases and misinformation that accompany this rapid growth.
Speed of AI Adoption
AI platforms have achieved remarkable user numbers in a short time. For example, ChatGPT reached 100 million users in less than three months. In contrast, platforms like Instagram took 2-4 years to reach the same milestone. The report predicts that 50% of US households will adopt AI within three years, a stark difference from the 6-12 years it took for internet access.
India’s Role in AI Usage
India plays important role in the global AI landscape. It is the second-largest market for ChatGPT, contributing 13.5% of its mobile app users. This surpasses the US and Germany. Despite restrictions on ChatGPT in countries like China and Russia, Indian users boost platforms like DeepSeek, which is popular in those regions.
Open Source vs. Closed Models
The report outlines two philosophies in AI model development – closed and open source. Closed models, such as OpenAI’s GPT-4, are centralised and require substantial investment. They offer high performance but lack transparency. Conversely, open-source models, like those from Hugging Face, provide accessibility to advanced AI without hefty costs. China is currently leading in open-source AI, releasing several large-scale models in 2025.
Implications of AI Development
The divergence between open and closed models has implications. Closed models dominate consumer markets and enterprise adoption, while open-source initiatives fuel local innovations and language models. This creates a dynamic between freedom and control, speed and safety, and openness versus optimisation. These contrasting approaches will shape the future of AI technology and its governance.
Challenges and Cautions
Despite the promising advancements, the report cautions against potential pitfalls. Issues like AI hallucinations, biases, and misinformation remain critical concerns. Additionally, slow regulatory responses could hinder the safe deployment of AI technologies. The balance between innovation and regulation is vital for sustainable growth.
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