As AI continues to reshape our lives, the corporate world, and public discourse, the AI Index continues to track its progress— offering an independent, data-driven perspective on AI’s development, adoption, and impact, across time and geography.
What a year 2024 has been for AI. The recognition of AI’s role in advancing humanity’s knowledge is reflected in Nobel prizes in physics and chemistry, and the Turing award for foundational work in reinforcement learning. The once-formidable Turing Test is no longer considered an ambitious goal, having been surpassed by today’s sophisticated systems. Meanwhile, AI adoption has accelerated at an unprecedented rate, as millions of people are now using AI on a regular basis both for their professional work and leisure activities. As high-performing, low-cost, and openly available models proliferate, AI’s accessibility and impact are set to expand even further.
After a brief slowdown, corporate investment in AI rebounded. The number of newly funded generative AI startups nearly tripled, and after years of sluggish uptake, business adoption accelerated significantly in 2024. AI has moved from the margins to become a central driver of business value.
Governments, too, are ramping up their involvement. Policymakers are no longer just debating AI—they’re investing in it. Several countries launched billion-dollar national AI infrastructure initiatives, including major efforts to expand energy capacity to support AI development. Global coordination is increasing, even as local initiatives take shape.
Yet trust remains a major challenge. Fewer people believe AI companies will safeguard their data, and concerns about fairness and bias persist. Misinformation continues to pose risks, particularly in elections and the proliferation of deepfakes. In response, governments are advancing new regulatory frameworks aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and fairness. Public attitudes are also shifting. While skepticism remains, a global survey in 2024 showed a notable rise in optimism about AI’s potential to deliver broad societal benefits.
AI is no longer just a story of what’s possible—it’s a story of what’s happening now and how we are collectively shaping the future of humanity. Explore this year’s AI Index report and see for yourself.
Yolanda Gil and Raymond Perrault – Co-directors, AI Index Report
https://hai-production.s3.amazonaws.com/files/hai_ai_index_report_2025.pdf
