AI in the Rearview Mirror: A Year of Transformative Moments
2023, a year that feels destined for the annals of history as the "AI Big Bang Moment" – a year where every moment seemed to echo with groundbreaking significance.
2023: AIs Big Bang Moment
Settling into the task of crafting this blog post, I find myself contemplating what narrative might capture the essence of a year that feels destined for the annals of history as the "AI Big Bang Moment" – a year where every moment seemed to echo with groundbreaking significance. In the post that follows, let's delve into the rearview mirror of 2023, a brief journey that mirrors the dynamism of AI's ever-evolving landscape. From transformative partnerships to unexpected controversies, this is a retrospective exploration of some of the major milestones, month-by-month, that have etched 2023 into the story of artificial intelligence. So, fasten your seatbelts for an engaging journey through a year that unfolded as one colossal burst of innovation and change.
January - Microsoft's $10 Billion Investment and Medical Breakthroughs
The year began with a seismic shift as Microsoft invested $10 billion in OpenAI, paving the way for unprecedented collaborations. Simultaneously, MIT researchers and Mass General Hospital unveiled a groundbreaking deep-learning model for assessing lung cancer risk using CT scans.
February - ChatGPT's Soaring Success and Meta's Challenger Emerges
February witnessed ChatGPT's meteoric rise to 100 million users in just two months, outperforming rivals like TikTok and Instagram. Meta unveiled Llama 2, and Google entered the fray with Bard. OpenAI responded with the launch of ChatGPT Plus, a premium chatbot service.
March - AI Floodgates Open with GPT-4 and Proliferation of Products
March marked a turning point as OpenAI unleashed GPT-4, capable of passing the bar exam. Companies globally released a plethora of AI products, including HubSpot, Adobe, Canva, Zoom, and Ford. UBC researchers made significant strides in predicting cancer patient survival rates using AI.
April - ChatGPT Faces Challenges, Amazon Enters the Fray
April brought challenges as ChatGPT faced a security glitch, triggering global privacy concerns. Amazon joined the AI landscape with Bedrock, empowering AWS customers to build apps on generative AI models. TikTok, Expedia, Binance, and Sberbank embraced the chatbot trend.
May - Security Concerns Lead to Corporate Ban and AI Evolution
Security concerns led Samsung to impose a corporate ban on Gen AI tools. Thomson Reuters launched new generative AI offerings, and Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE) revolutionized search. OpenAI enhanced ChatGPT with plugins and web browsing features.
June - Investment Surges, Paris Startup Shines, and Legal Reckoning
June saw a surge in investment in AI startups, with Paris-based Mistral AI raising an impressive $113 million within four weeks. Legal reckoning occurred as judges demanded AI disclosure, and a New York lawyer faced fines for a fabricated brief. Apple entered the scene with Vision Pro, an AI-powered augmented reality headset.
July - Legal Battles, McKinsey's Projections, and Microsoft's Innovations
July witnessed legal battles as authors sued OpenAI over copyright infringement. McKinsey projected that AI could boost annual corporate profits by up to $4.4 trillion. Microsoft introduced Bing Chat Enterprise and Microsoft 365 Copilot, emphasizing AI's role in workplace productivity.
August - Salesforce's Investment, MIT's Principles, and Google's Innovations
August saw Salesforce invest over $4 billion in Hugging Face, signaling confidence in AI's future. MIT released generative AI principles, while ChatGPT Enterprise launched for business use. Google countered with Duet AI for Workspace and innovations in AI-optimized infrastructure.
September - Writers' Victory, Legal Rulings, and Meta's Expansions
September marked a victory for writers as the Writers Guild of America strike ended against AI in scriptwriting. Legal rulings clarified that AI prompts are not copyrightable. Meta expanded its AI offerings with AI stickers, a Meta AI chatbot, and Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses.
October - Regulatory Moves, AI in Trials, and Tech Giants' Advances
The White House issued an Executive Order on regulating generative AI, acknowledging its impact. Google's new Pixel phones integrated Gen AI, and Baidu entered the AI race. US President Joe Biden signed an executive order addressing various AI concerns.
November - OpenAI's Turmoil, Elon Musk's Grok, and Industry Shifts
November witnessed OpenAI's leadership turmoil, with Sam Altman fired and rehired in a week of chaos. Elon Musk unveiled Grok, a ChatGPT competitor. Custom GPTs and GPT-4 Turbo were launched. Meanwhile, the Writers Guild of America strike's implications continued, and Sports Illustrated faced a stumble with AI-generated articles.
December - EU Regulation Proposal, Academic Initiatives, and AI Imagery Advances
As the year closed, the EU proposed landmark legislation, known as the AI Act, to regulate AI. Purdue Global Law School launched an AI course, and Midjourney's V6 update pushed the boundaries of AI-generated imagery.
2023 was a year of unprecedented growth, challenges, and transformative moments in the world of artificial intelligence. As we steer into the future, the rearview mirror serves as a testament to the dynamism and impact of AI on various facets of our lives.
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