The top AI highlights from September 2024

AI’s accelerating impact on business and society: Artificial intelligence continues to advance rapidly, with significant developments in adoption rates, performance capabilities, and economic impact.

• Generative AI adoption is outpacing both the internet and personal computers, with nearly a quarter of working-age Americans using it weekly.
• AI companies are reaching $30 million in annualized revenue more than three times faster than traditional enterprise SaaS firms, according to Stripe data.
• OpenAI’s new model o1 is resetting expectations of what problems can be solved, potentially changing the calculus of what’s possible for organizations.

AI’s role in scientific research and creativity: AI tools are demonstrating impressive capabilities in generating novel ideas and conducting complex research tasks.

• AI-generated research ideas were rated as significantly more novel compared to those by expert human researchers in a year-long study.
• PaperQA2, an AI agent tool, can conduct entire scientific literature reviews autonomously to a PhD and Postdoc-level.
• Toby Ord shared insights on how to push the limits of AI’s creativity.

AI infrastructure investments and energy demands: Major players are making substantial investments in AI infrastructure, with implications for energy consumption.

• BlackRock and Microsoft plan a $30 billion fund for AI infrastructure.
• Chip startup Groq is partnering with Saudi Aramco to build the world’s largest AI inference data center.
• OpenAI pitched the White House on building massive data centers requiring five gigawatts across various states.

Energy transition and solar power growth: The energy sector is experiencing rapid technological advancements, with solar power leading the charge.

• Energy technology is evolving from a commodity to a technology-driven industry.
• Solar power growth is surpassing all forecasts, with every major energy forecaster underestimating this year’s solar expansion.
• US solar module production capacity has nearly quadrupled since the Inflation Reduction Act was passed two years ago.

Economic trends and industrial shifts: Several noteworthy economic and industrial trends are shaping the global landscape.

• Founder-led Fortune 500 companies vastly outperform peers run by professional managers, with a median cumulative return of 1,129% compared to 57% for other Fortune 500 firms.
• SpaceX currently controls two-thirds of all active satellites, up six-fold in just three years.
• China is leading in 57 of 64 critical technologies, according to a report by ASPI.

Automotive industry challenges: Traditional automakers face significant hurdles in adapting to the changing landscape of the automotive industry.

• Nearly a third of major passenger car plants from Europe’s five largest automakers were underutilized in 2023, producing less than 50% of capacity.
• Toyota, Volkswagen, and GM have fallen behind Tesla and their Chinese rivals in developing critical software for their cars.

Emerging trends in space exploration and technology: The space industry is experiencing a shift towards smaller players and innovative approaches.

• Lunar mining is being pursued by startups, indicating that the space frontier is increasingly being shaped by smaller players.
• South Korean companies were the top investors in the US last year, investing a record $21.5 billion.
• Apple will be the first to use chips from TSMC’s Arizona plant, highlighting the ongoing importance of semiconductor manufacturing.

AI’s broader implications: The rapid advancement and adoption of AI technologies raise important questions about their long-term impact on society and the economy.

• The potential role of AI in addressing global challenges and shaping the future of humanity is becoming increasingly apparent.
• As AI continues to disrupt traditional industries and business models, it’s crucial to consider the broader implications for employment, education, and economic structures.
• The energy demands of AI infrastructure highlight the need for sustainable solutions to support continued technological advancement.