Q1: How do you see AI evolving over the next five years?
In the next five years, while large language models (LLMs) will continue to evolve, I anticipate a growing focus on computer vision (CV), particularly spatial intelligence. Technologies enabling AI to understand and interact with physical spaces are gaining traction. For instance, Fei-Fei Li’s new startup, World Labs, focuses on integrating spatial AI into the real world, reflecting this trend. This concept is known as “large world models”. Additionally, developing countries like Brazil are seeing AI startups grow, such as Nama, a Brazilian company leveraging AI to improve customer service systems. These regions are accelerating AI adoption due to increased access to affordable cloud computing and government initiatives like Brazil’s AI Strategy launched in 2021.
Q2: Which industries stand most to benefit from AI?
While healthcare, finance, and manufacturing will gain significantly from AI, I also foresee industries like autonomous transportation seeing breakthroughs. Notably, startups outside the US are stepping up. Wayve, a UK-based autonomous vehicle company, recently raised $1 billion to advance its technology, focusing on AI-driven camera-based systems which was first pioneered by Tesla. These innovations show that the field of self-driving cars is no longer dominated solely by US giants like Waymo or Tesla, but includes global players contributing significantly to the ecosystem.
Q3: What are some of the challenges that organizations face in the way of AI implementation?
One major challenge is the slow adoption of AI in large, bureaucratic organizations. Based on my industry experience, companies with legacy systems often face significantly longer AI implementation timelines compared to agile startups. For example, many European banks still rely on outdated mainframes, making AI implementation a long and costly process. Meanwhile, in developing countries like India and Brazil, a lack of skilled AI professionals remains a hurdle. According to the (2024), despite its universities training top AI talent and national AI ambitions, India faces significant loss of skilled AI professionals to other countries. This gap underscores the need for international collaboration and localized training programs to speed up adoption.
Q4: Generative AI is picking up speed. What is your take on the potential and risks thereof?
Generative AI continues to captivate attention, but we must not overlook advancements in mixed and augmented reality and spatial intelligence. Mixed reality has immense potential for reshaping industries. For example, Microsoft HoloLens and Meta’s Quest Pro are blending physical and digital environments for training simulations, remote collaboration, and immersive gaming. Facebook’s recent presentation of Orion, its first true augmented reality glasses, underlines the rising focus on AR. Orion merges the latest AI with wearable technology to create immersive experiences, such as frictionless digital overlays in the real world, enabling new ways to interact with our surroundings. As Orion and similar devices continue to evolve, AI will be at the heart of these platforms, making user experiences more personalized and improving accessibility. According to IDC, the mixed reality market shows strong growth projections, with VR headset shipments expected to reach 24.7 million units growing at 29.2% CAGR and AR headsets expanding from under 1 million to 10.9 million units at 87.1% CAGR by 2028.. However, alongside these opportunities, generative AI faces risks, such as the rising prevalence of deepfakes. For instance, in 2024, a finance employee in Hong Kong was deceived into transferring $25 million after participating in a video call with what appeared to be their company’s CFO but was actually a deepfake, highlighting the urgent need for safeguards.
Q5: How is AI transforming businesses of today?
AI is transforming businesses by automating repetitive tasks and optimizing operations. Beyond these applications, technologies like mixed reality and spatial intelligence are revolutionizing customer experiences. For example, IKEA’s AR-powered Place app allows customers to visualize furniture in their homes before purchasing, blending AI and real-world contexts seamlessly. Additionally, in developing nations, companies like d.light, which provides AI-enabled solar energy solutions in Africa, show how AI can drive growth even in resource-constrained environments. AI’s ability to analyze large datasets quickly empowers businesses in fast-moving markets with actionable insights. However, these AI-based updates and augmentations are not meant to undermine and replace humans, but to rather help mankind by optimizing repetitive tasks.
Q6: What is the role of regulations in shaping AI’s future?
Regulations are crucial not only for addressing ethical concerns but also for ensuring global AI adoption. For example, the EU’s AI Act, finalized in 2024, categorizes AI applications by risk level and mandates stricter requirements for high-risk systems, such as facial recognition. This approach is particularly significant for developing countries, where regulatory clarity can attract foreign investment. Brazil’s AI Strategy 2021 (EBIA) also exemplifies how emerging economies are crafting policies to integrate AI responsibly while fostering innovation. However, these regulations might be so strict that these companies would choose not to roll out AI-based systems in restricted markets.
Q7: As an expert, what advice would you give to businesses looking to adopt AI?
For businesses, my advice is to look beyond the hype of generative AI and explore much more developed areas that help automating processes. Systems for spatial intelligence and mixed reality are also gaining traction and proving to be very helpful. Amazon uses Object detection and tracking in their Amazon fresh stores to drive efficiency and reduce costs and delays in the process. Developing countries have also demonstrated how focusing on accessible AI tools can drive adoption. Additionally, retailers leveraging mixed reality—such as Walmart, which uses VR for employee training—have reported a reduction in training time from 8 hours to 15 minutes, proving the value of these technologies. India’s Aarogya Setu app, which uses AI for COVID-19 contact tracing, highlights how simple yet impactful AI solutions can thrive with minimal infrastructure.
Q8: What excites you most about the future of AI?
I’m most excited about how AI can bridge gaps between developed and developing countries. For example, FarmBeats, the AI for Agriculture project by Microsoft in India, helps farmers predict weather patterns and optimize crop yields, directly addressing food security challenges. Similarly, combining AI with emerging technologies like quantum computing, as seen in Google’s Sycamore project, could unlock breakthroughs in energy optimization and disease research. These advancements demonstrate AI’s potential to solve global challenges and create a more sustainable and equitable future.
