AI Surges in Popularity: A New Age or Just Another Tech Fad?

AI Takes the Spotlight

Global interest in the term “AI” has skyrocketed, hitting peaks only previously achieved by Bitcoin during its infamous 2017 craze. As of now, AI is on fire, with Google Trends marking an astounding score of 89. That is quite the feat, but hold your horses! It’s still trailing behind Bitcoin’s manic peak of 100 when it flirted with the $20,000 mark.

The Fad Debate

Now, many analysts and tech enthusiasts are quick to label artificial intelligence as just another tech fad, reminiscent of the crypto whirlwind and the ever-elusive metaverse. OpenAI has chimed in with a prediction suggesting that in just a decade, AI could surpass expert skill levels in various fields—talk about hubris! But are we truly on the verge of an AI renaissance, or simply riding the waves of a hype cycle?

US vs. China: A Tale of Two Searches

In the land of the free, folks are tracking AI searches like hawks, but on the flip side of the globe in China, it’s a whole different ball game. With cryptocurrencies banned, the Chinese populace isn’t exactly rushing to Google for Bitcoin updates; instead, they’ve devoted the search engines to AI. Since 2013, AI has consistently taken the cake—only briefly losing its crown during Bitcoin’s notable price feats in 2013 and 2017.

Search Interest Comparison

Here are some notable peaks of Bitcoin vs. AI in China:

• November 2013: Bitcoin reaches $300, overtakes AI.
• December 2017: Bitcoin hits $20,000, once again, AI takes a back seat.
• February 2021: Following Tesla’s colossal Bitcoin buy, interest spikes again.

Since the 2021 crypto ban, searches for Bitcoin took a nosedive in China, while AI has been basking in its glory with search scores soaring to an all-time high of 100 in April 2023.

The Future of AI

With the emergence of Chinese technologies like Flytek’s “Spark Model,” we are left wondering what’s next. While discussions around the political implications of AI and data governance loom large, the essence remains. Is AI destined to be our savior, or just another fad that will eventually fade away like a poorly written sequel?