How advanced foundation models will expand what AI can do (and other predictions for 2025)

Why should you read Artificial Intelligence Prediction From a non-Sam-Altman and non-AI doctor? Well, early stage venture capitalists work every day with people who are much smarter than us, using artificial intelligence at the forefront of what’s possible. This allows us to see what the future holds.

In my 30-plus years in technology, I have never seen a technology—especially a base model and the advancements around it—have such an impact on so many fronts, so quickly. It reframed my expectations of how teams are structured and how companies deliver value.

With that in mind, here are my predictions for 2025.

We try artificial intelligence to contain

I like Mustafa Suleiman’s Digital species inference For artificial intelligence, because it solves the containment problem correctly. Much of the artificial intelligence in today’s products suggests courses of action. But artificial intelligence will increasingly take action on our behalf. We have to frame what we think No Want it to do.

Expect a lot of loud cage rattling in this area. If we use California’s failed SB1047 legislation as a guide, Elon Musk’s pro-regulation and Trump’s anti-regulation stance will offset the penalties. Looking for something similar Anthropic The constitutional model has been reinforced as the industry attempts to “self-regulate” underlying model security to avoid government regulation. Likewise, a boom in AI security startups is expected to help implement various forms of cyber containment.

As the basic model of brand DNA

Some of you may remember the days when “Intel Inside” was a massive event. base model It will accumulate brand power for products based on this. This goes beyond tone, which according to Crowder looks like this today:

• GPT-4: High-quality, discreet advisors.
• Claude: Attentive, ethical counselor.
• Llama: Scrappy, flexible all-rounder.

Adjustable tone. This is not the case with how understanding and recall are applied in models. Mockups will inevitably shape the “feel” of the product.

Artificial intelligence helps Nobel Prize

Not exactly, but the iterative capabilities of scientific discovery will be greatly enhanced. Today, artificial intelligence works alongside humans to achieve breakthroughs. I agree Vinod Khosla About that: AI scientists—super-expert AI agents—will soon be regularly outperforming their human counterparts in discovering insights.

That’s because AI scientists don’t need breaks. They have infinite patience for iteration. They have perfect memory for data. They are available 24/7. Take a first look at this relentless work ethic in medical discoveries and healthcare breakthroughs, and the many startups are helping companies capitalize on them.

Audio interface redefines “hands-free”

If Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant are all v1.0 audio interfaces, then audio—with the added context of visuals and text—will enable new product experiences that recalibrate our standards.

Dedicated audio-only base model There’s a race against larger base models to push what’s possible here. We’ve seen huge improvements in Meta smart glasses and how far they stand compared to Google Glass. “Hands-free” operation will take on a whole new meaning and expectation.

We crossed the threshold of trust through artificial intelligence

I have a good sense of direction. It was only when I hit some traffic jams that I didn’t know about (but my Maps app did) that I gave in, finally trusting that the Maps app knew the route better than I did.

The same happens with generative AI output. For now, experts are still trying to achieve excellent results. This gap will close and we will succumb to the output of more new generations of AI, assuming they are at least as good as, and sometimes better than, experts. They will be credited in the same way that we cite what we quote. Case in point: See the branding section of this article.

We pay a premium for craftsmanship

As the barriers to creation lower—Dall-E and many other tools can create new designs in seconds—the value of non-digital goods with evidence of human creation will increase. Think original photography or visual design, and ceramic mugs made by artists rather than stamped by robots in a factory.

My adult children marvel at VCRs and love vinyl records, but this goes beyond retro cool. In a world so digital, simulation and physics start to make sense in ways that will be surprising, especially for Generation Z and Alpha.

“Humanity was discovered here”

Many of my friends like Waymo because it doesn’t require them to talk to anyone. But when push comes to shove, the ability to interact with people who can make judgments that aren’t based on black box logic is important. Which method is more valuable, artificial intelligence or human progress, will become the dividing line.

Expect a backlash in areas such as customer service, where the craze for artificial intelligence will frustrate many. Human-machine interaction will be seen as preferable to fully autonomous systems. Companies (and consumers) will communicate and value this difference.

What a year…

I end 2024 with humility and anticipate a lot of chaos in 2025. Get better. I wish you a new year that is humble, joyful and full of grace.

Martina Lauhengco is a partner at: Costanoa Ventures.