The year 2024 was marked by the undeniable rise of artificial intelligence, no longer an emerging technology but a determining force that is reshaping the very foundations of our world. From the boardrooms of global corporations to our children’s classrooms, AI has permeated every aspect of society, demanding a profound reassessment of our understanding of technology, ethics and the human experience. This was not simply an evolution; it was a full-scale revolution, forcing humanity to adapt at a breakneck pace to an AI-powered future.
The year 2024 marked a defining moment in our understanding of AI. Here are the significant AI stories of the year:
Search engine clash
Google’s dominance as the go-to search engine has faced serious challenges from emerging AI-powered platforms such as Perplexity AI and ChatGPT Search. These new search engines offered conversational and context-rich answers, allowing users to receive more nuanced and relevant answers than traditional keyword-based searches. This shift demonstrated the potential for generative AI to disrupt an industry long dominated by a single player, sparking innovation and competition.
New AI Acts
The European Union introduced the EU AI Act, one of the most comprehensive regulatory frameworks for AI to date. It sets clear rules regarding transparency, ethical practices and data privacy in the development and deployment of AI. By categorizing AI systems into risk levels and establishing strict guidelines for high-risk applications, the law aims to ensure that AI is used responsibly. Its influence is expected to extend beyond Europe, shaping global standards and inspiring similar legislation in other countries.
The European Union has adopted a rights-based approach to AI regulation, prioritizing the protection of health, safety and fundamental rights. In contrast, China emphasizes state control and social order in its AI policies. Notably, Singapore and the United Kingdom have adopted a principles-based approach, tailoring regulations to specific sectors and risk levels.
The continued success of Nvidia hardware
Nvidia continued to dominate the AI hardware market with the release of the Blackwell AI chip. This advanced processor delivers unmatched performance and power efficiency, enabling faster and more cost-effective AI calculations. The chip has become a key driver of innovation in AI research, applications, and large-scale model training, cementing Nvidia’s role as a critical enabler of the AI revolution.
IndiaAI Mission: Fueling Growth
The Indian government launched the IndiaAI Mission with significant funding to strengthen its AI ecosystem. This initiative aimed to encourage AI startups, create regional AI hubs, and establish frameworks for the safety and ethical use of AI. Promising to foster innovation at local and industrial levels, the mission is expected to accelerate India’s transformation into a global leader in AI while addressing local challenges.
India has made significant progress in AI adoption, with over 80% of businesses implementing AI solutions across various sectors. In healthcare, AI-based tools have improved diagnostics, personalized treatments, and patient care management. In agriculture, AI has been used to improve crop yields through predictive analytics, smart irrigation systems, and pest control. In education, AI-powered platforms have revolutionized learning by providing adaptive content and personalized feedback to students. These developments position India as a leader in harnessing AI for economic and social progress.
Recently, the Indian government launched a second round of bidding for its ambitious India AI mission. This phase will prioritize crucial aspects such as watermarking and labeling AI-generated content, promoting ethical AI development, and conducting thorough risk assessments. Launched in July 2024 with an initial investment exceeding Rs 10,000 crore, the mission aims to significantly enhance India’s AI capabilities by expanding access to high-performance computing resources and boosting the development of AI applications innovative.
OpenAI expansion
OpenAI has introduced revolutionary models like Sora Turbo, a multimodal AI capable of processing text, images and audio, and O1 reasoning models designed for complex problem solving. However, the company’s transition to a for-profit structure has sparked debates about the need to balance innovation and ethical considerations. Critics have raised concerns about the monetization of cutting-edge technologies, which could potentially prioritize profit over societal benefits.
Reportedly, Open AI will also launch another model of Strawberry, which may have human-like capabilities.
Impact of AI on elections
The 2024 US presidential election has highlighted the dark side of AI with the rise of AI-generated misinformation. Deepfakes, manipulated videos, and fabricated content spread rapidly, eroding trust in media and political processes. This phenomenon has highlighted the urgent need for countermeasures, such as stricter regulations, AI detection tools and public education campaigns, to combat the malicious use of AI in contexts policies.
As the 2024 US elections approached, fears that generative AI would disrupt the process with deepfakes and personalized disinformation campaigns were widespread, with more than half of US adults expressing concerns about the negative impact of the ‘AI. However, these fears have proven to be largely exaggerated, as AI-based tactics remain a relatively minor part of broader disinformation efforts. While foreign actors like Russia have used generative AI to bolster their disinformation campaigns, the U.S. intelligence community reported in September that AI had not revolutionized these operations. Political campaigns have adopted AI sparingly, mostly for mundane tasks like writing emails and summarizing news, while public backlash and risk aversion limited its deployment to wider reach. ladder.
The rise of agentic AI
Autonomous AI agents have gained ground in 2024, with tools capable of independently performing complex tasks such as scheduling, data analysis and customer service. While these innovations promised to streamline workflows and increase productivity, they also raised concerns about liability, safety, and potential job losses. The question of who bears responsibility when an autonomous agent makes a mistake remains unanswered.
Google’s Gemini advances
Google has improved its AI offerings with the release of Gemini Advanced, Gemini 2.0 and Gemini 1.5 Pro. These models featured features like processing a million-token popup, allowing them to handle large documents and complex queries. This development underlined Google’s commitment to maintaining its competitive advantage in the field of generative AI, demonstrating its focus on improving user experience and expanding AI applications.
Copyright battles
AI companies have faced significant legal challenges regarding the use of copyrighted data to train their models. Content creators and copyright owners argued that their works were being used without consent or compensation, sparking lawsuits and public debate. These disputes have highlighted the need for clear legal frameworks to balance innovation and respect for intellectual property rights, ensuring fair use while promoting the development of AI.
The rise of generative AI has ignited a legal and ethical storm, with leading AI companies like OpenAI, Stability AI and Adobe facing growing legal challenges. A wave of lawsuits, launched by photographers, artists and other creators, accuse these companies of copyright infringement, claiming their works were illegally used to train AI models without consent. This legal battle highlights the deep divisions within the creative community.
2024 has been a transformative year for AI, marked by extraordinary achievements and significant challenges. From the rapid adoption of AI in India to the emergence of AI-powered search engines, the year highlighted the disruptive potential of the technology. At the same time, the introduction of the EU AI law and growing concerns about the misuse of AI in elections have highlighted the importance of ethical governance. As the world looks toward 2025, the lessons of 2024 will be crucial in shaping a future where AI innovation is harnessed responsibly and equitably.
