As 2023 draws to a close, it’s a time of reflection on the monumental advances — and ethical debates — surrounding artificial intelligence this past year. The launch of chatbots like Bing Chat and Google Bard showcased impressive natural language abilities, while generative AI models like DALL-E 3 and MidJourney V6 stunned with their creative image generation. However, concerns were also raised about AI’s potential harms.
The EU’s landmark AI Act sought to limit certain uses of the technology, and the Biden Administration issued guidelines on its development. With rapid innovation expected to continue, many wonder: What’s next for AI? To find out, we surveyed leading venture capitalists investing in artificial intelligence startups for their boldest predictions on what 2024 may bring.
Predictions on Generative AI, Biotech, and Climate Applications:
- “Many generative AI companies will die. If you weren’t one of the startups that raised monster rounds this year, the future will be uncertain for you.” – Masha Bucher, Founder and General Partner at Day One Ventures
- “AI in biotech, genome, climate and industrial applications will save lives by helping scientists and researchers develop new treatments and diagnostics based on human genomic data.” – Masha Bucher, Founder and General Partner at Day One Ventures
- “In climate, companies are using AI to defend our ecosystems, like how Vibrant Planet is using AI/ML to prevent catastrophic wildfires that are happening globally.” – Masha Bucher, Founder and General Partner at Day One Ventures
Predictions on Multimodal AI and Improved User Experiences:
- “The convergence of data modalities—text, images, audio—into multimodal models will redefine AI capabilities and enable better decision-making and improved user experiences.” – Cathy Gao, Partner at Sapphire Ventures
- “We’re going to see multimodal retrieval & multi-modal inference take center stage in AI products in 2024. AI products today are mostly textual. But users prefer more expressive software.” – Rak Garg, Principal at Bain Capital Ventures
- “Multimodal models will make it much easier to create compelling interactions with AI agents and the quality of the AI will make it nearly impossible for humans to discern the difference between a computer and a human in certain use cases.” – Jess Leao, Partner at Decibel VC
While perspectives differ on risks and timelines, most venture capitalists agree that 2024 promises to be a defining year for artificial intelligence. With advancements in generative AI, biotech, climate applications, and multimodal AI, the potential for AI to transform industries and improve user experiences is exciting. However, challenges such as GPU shortages and AI regulation will need to be addressed for the full potential of AI to be realized.
Disclaimer: The quotes and predictions mentioned in this article are solely the opinions of the individuals mentioned and should not be taken as financial advice.
