In 2023, artificial intelligence (AI) took center stage, earning the title of Collins Dictionary's word of the year. This marked a pivotal moment as AI-powered language models, notably ChatGPT, captured public attention and became widely discussed.
AI's Impact on Culture and Society
Wikipedia revealed that ChatGPT was the most viewed page in English, amassing 49.5 million views. With approximately 100 million weekly users, ChatGPT became a household name, reaching its zenith with the release of ChatGPT 4 in March, boasting 1.76 trillion parameters. OpenAI's revenue skyrocketed from $28 million in 2022 to an astounding $1 billion in 2023, setting off a fierce competition among tech giants.
Google's entry into the AI race was Bard, an evolving model culminating in the powerful Gemini released in December. Meta, Microsoft, and startups like Anthropic also contributed to the AI landscape, with investments pouring in.
Statista projected the AI market to hit $241.8 billion in 2023, forecasting a 17.3% annual growth rate by 2030.
Global AI Regulations
Governments worldwide grappled with the need to regulate AI. The European Union (EU) took a lead, passing the EU AI Act in June. This legislation aimed to regulate governmental use of AI, set transparency rules for developers, and address concerns from tech coalitions.
In the United States, while no official regulations were in place, the Biden Administration issued an executive order on AI safety and security. China swiftly implemented regulations in August, fostering a surge in local AI development.
On a global scale, the United Nations initiated an international AI governance initiative, and the G7 countries released an official AI code of conduct.
AI in Arts and Culture
AI's influence extended to arts and culture in 2023. Powerful tools like Midjourney and OpenAI's Dall-E saw upgrades, while Meta introduced AI-powered tools for video and image editing. The music industry witnessed a revolution with AI-generated music tools, leading to debates on royalty sharing and legal implications.
In a groundbreaking move, Universal Music released the Beatles' last song, "Now and Then," featuring AI-assisted vocals by John Lennon.
Clashes and Scandals
The rise of accessible AI also brought about clashes and scandals. Copyright-related lawsuits surfaced as artists challenged the use of their works in AI training. Google faced a class-action lawsuit over privacy concerns, while Hollywood endured a 118-day strike over AI usage in productions.
In a surprising turn of events, OpenAI's management shuffle saw CEO Sam Altman ousted and reinstated within days, leaving the community bewildered.
Google's Gemini faced criticism for falling short of expectations, prompting the tech giant to clarify its marketing approach. The proliferation of AI-generated deep fakes raised serious concerns globally, with a significant increase reported across regions.
As 2023 comes to a close, the AI landscape remains dynamic, promising an equally eventful 2024. Industry insiders are poised to share predictions, offering insights into what the future holds for this rapidly evolving technology.
