It’s a Wrap: Take a Look at What We Did This Year.

Hi, everyone.

10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1.

And just like that, the sun will set on this year, and we’ll see the dawn of a new era. A new era not only in terms of the literal calendar year. But for AI and its absorption in our lives. 

Last week, we published a blog post about how 2024 was the year AI became personal. I think 2025 will likely be the year AI becomes universal. 

But before we move on to the future, I’d like to do a quick recap of the year, one from this newsletter's perspective. This is the year we at NDTV finally embraced the idea of a special vertical dedicated to artificial intelligence and launched an exclusive website, NDTV AI. 

This newsletter was launched as a byproduct—more like a precursor—to our AI coverage. Within three months, more than 100,000 people have subscribed to our vision. I’m grateful to every subscriber for their likes, comments, and reposts. It has what kept us motivated and going. 

Thank you. May we keep seeing eye to AI. 

One big story that has caught many eyeballs the past week is the announcement by President-elect Donald Trump to appoint Sriram Krishnan as his Senior Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence. I want to give you a quick insight into Krishnan's mind, who also co-hosts a popular podcast, ‘The Aarthi and Sriram Show,’ with his wife. So, I delved into some of his recent episodes to gauge his views, commentaries, and monologues. I have written a quick profile mentioning his views on skilled immigration, tech regulation, and the importance of innovation. It offers an insightful read into the potential direction of the US AI policy.

2025 promises to be a life-changing year - for Indians, and India as a sector. For example, as per a recent report, the Indian pharmaceutical industry is well on its way to a "profound transformation" in 2025, and AI will be a strong catalyst in this path. Technological advancements in AI and machine learning promise to transform drug discovery, manufacturing, and patient care. As the industry is likely to reach $130 billion by 2030, AI is no longer a tool but an active ingredient in this pursuit of innovation and global competitiveness. 

But how life-changing is good enough? Would you be okay with AI reaching human levels of intelligence, aka “general intelligence”?

OpenAI's o3 system has achieved a milestone by scoring 85% on the ARC-AGI benchmark, a test designed to measure general intelligence. This achievement, on par with average human performance, has reignited discussions about the proximity of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). While scepticism remains, this development forces us to confront the possibilities and implications of AI systems that can adapt and learn with human-like efficiency.

The human impact of a machine operating at the “human level” of intelligence, cognition, and emotional insight could be far-reaching. 

If you have doubts, consider Botto, the AI "machine artist" questioning our perceptions of creativity and art. Having raised more than $5 million since 2021, Botto's success raises profound questions about the nature of art, authorship, and the role of AI in creative expression. So before we get to the question of ‘if and when’ with “general intelligence,” AI today is already pacing up on a war footing.

Talking about wars, in a stark reminder of AI's role in modern warfare, Ukraine has collected a vast trove of battlefield data - 2 million hours of drone footage - to train AI models. This highlights the potential of AI to reshape military strategies and tactics. As we move into 2025, the ethical implications of AI in warfare will undoubtedly become a pressing global concern.

How do you see the future of AI in the world of 2025? As I close this chapter, I'd like your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year filled with exciting AI adventures!

Aaqib Raza Khan,

Deputy Editor - Content Innovation,

NDTV