2024 AI Hall of Fame

Welcome back apprentices! 👋

How was your final weekend of 2024? Binge-watching Netflix? Snoozing through the snacks? Or maybe wondering if AI is secretly plotting world domination? No worries, we’ve got the year-end scoop covered.

In this special edition, we’re recapping the AI all-stars of 2024 — the movers, shakers, and disruptors who redefined innovation. 

Plus, we’ll peek into 2025 to see who’s poised to make next year even wilder. 

Whether you’re an AI rookie or the group’s unofficial tech guru, this episode will arm you with everything you need to dazzle at that New Year’s Eve party.

And hey, sharing this newsletter now might just earn you genius status among your friends. (copy URL here)

 (Not a bad way to end the year, right?) 😏

In today's email

• OpenAI & ChatGPT

• NVIDIA

• Alphabet Inc (Google)

• Honorable Mentions

• Friday’s Quiz answers

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OpenAI & ChatGPT 
The AI Juggernaut's Journey Through 

Imagine if Shakespeare had a chatbot to co-write his plays — he might have named it ChatGPT. While the Bard managed without AI, today, OpenAI's creations are scripting the future of technology with a flair that even old Will would envy.

Current Standing: OpenAI has strutted onto the AI stage like a rock star at a tech concert. 

With a valuation hitting $157 billion after a $6.6 billion funding round in October 2024, it's clear they're not just playing backup. Their partnership with Microsoft is akin to Batman teaming up with Robin, with Microsoft integrating OpenAI's models into its products and sharing a 20% revenue slice until 2030.

2024 Achievements: This year, OpenAI didn't just rest on its digital laurels. They introduced the o1 model, affectionately codenamed "Strawberry," which approaches problem-solving with the meticulousness of a detective unraveling a mystery.This model excels in complex scientific and mathematical tasks, scoring 83% on an International Mathematics Olympiad qualifying exam—outperforming its predecessor, GPT-4o, which managed only 13%.

Additionally, OpenAI's restructuring into a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) set the stage for future growth, aiming to balance profit with purpose. 

Projection for 2025: OpenAI is setting its sights on achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) by 2025 — a goal as ambitious as teaching a cat to play the piano.

They're also planning to expand their user base to 1 billion, which is like inviting the entire population of a small continent to a digital tea party.

To support this growth, building their own data centers is on the agenda, ensuring they have the computational horsepower to keep the AI engines running smoothly.

In the grand play of technological advancement, OpenAI and ChatGPT are not just actors but directors, shaping the narrative of our future. As we applaud their achievements, let's also keep a watchful eye on the script, ensuring it's a story that benefits all of humanity.

NVIDIA 
The AI Powerhouse That Does It All

If technology companies were superheroes, NVIDIA would be the one with a utility belt full of gadgets, always ready to save the day — whether it's in gaming, AI, or making sure your virtual meeting doesn't freeze at the worst possible moment. 

Current Standing: NVIDIA has evolved from the go-to graphics card for gamers to the backbone of modern AI infrastructure. Its GPUs are the secret sauce behind everything from realistic game graphics to complex AI computations. In 2024, NVIDIA's market cap soared past $3.3 trillion, briefly making it the world's most valuable company.

Its partnerships span industries like gaming, healthcare, and data centers, making it as indispensable as Wi-Fi at a coffee shop.

2024 Achievements: NVIDIA unveiled the Blackwell AI chip, named after mathematician David Blackwell, which has tech giants scrambling to get their hands on it. Their GPUs became so valuable that they required armored cars for transport — talk about high-value cargo!

NVIDIA also introduced the NVLM 1.0 family of open-source multimodal large language models, aiming to rival the likes of GPT-4. Not to mention, they joined the Dow Jones Industrial Average, replacing Intel, and solidified their status as a tech heavyweight. 

Projection for 2025: NVIDIA is betting big on robotics to drive future growth, with plans to release Jetson Thor, its latest computer for humanoid robots, in early 2025.

They're also expected to maintain their dominance in the AI chip market, with the entire 2025 production of Blackwell chips already sold out.

In the grand tapestry of technology, NVIDIA is the thread that ties together innovation across multiple domains. As they continue to push the boundaries of what's possible, one can't help but wonder: What's next from the company that seems to have a chip for everything?

Alphabet Inc (Google)  
The Tech Titan's Odyssey 

If the tech world were a high school, Alphabet Inc. (Google's parent company) would be the overachiever acing every class, captaining the debate team, and still finding time to build AI-powered robots in the garage.

Current Standing: Alphabet stands tall as a colossus in the realms of AI, technology, and innovation. Its influence permeates AI research, cloud services, advertising, and consumer tech. With a market cap hovering around $2 trillion as of April 2024, Alphabet's reach is vast.

In AI research, Alphabet's DeepMind and Google Research divisions are at the forefront, pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Google Cloud continues to be a formidable player in cloud services, competing with the likes of Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. The advertising arm remains a cash cow, funding moonshot projects and consumer tech innovations like the Pixel series. 

2024 Achievements: This year, Alphabet's report card is filled with gold stars:

• Financial Growth: Q3 2024 saw a 34% increase in net profit to $26.3 billion, with revenue rising by 15% to $88.3 billion, driven by advancements in AI technology enhancing cloud computing sales and search engine advertising.

• AI Advancements: The introduction of the Gemini AI model showcased Alphabet's commitment to leading the AI race, enhancing capabilities across its product lines.

• Product Launches: Innovations in the Pixel lineup and updates to Search have kept consumers and tech enthusiasts buzzing.

• Quantum Leap: Alphabet unveiled its new quantum computing chip, Willow, capable of solving complex problems in mere minutes, a feat that would take classical computers longer than the age of the universe.

However, the year wasn't without its drama. Alphabet faced regulatory challenges, including antitrust lawsuits in the U.S., casting a shadow over its otherwise stellar performance.

Projection for 2025: Looking into the crystal ball, Alphabet's trajectory appears both ambitious and challenging:

• AI Integration: Expect deeper integration of AI across all services, making interactions more intuitive and personalized.

• Quantum Computing: With the advancements in quantum technology, Alphabet could revolutionize industries by solving previously intractable problems.

• Regulatory Hurdles: Navigating antitrust cases and potential breakups will require strategic agility.

• Market Dynamics: Competition from AI-driven search solutions and other tech giants will keep Alphabet on its toes.

Analysts project continued growth, with stock prices expected to rise, reflecting confidence in Alphabet's resilience and innovation.

As Alphabet continues its odyssey, one can't help but wonder: In the grand narrative of technology, is Alphabet the hero we need, the one we deserve, or perhaps a bit of both?

Why These 3?

Picture them as the AI Hall of Fame’s top three — each playing a key position that makes the magic happen:

• OpenAI: The creative genius, constantly pushing the boundaries of generative AI and leading the ecosystem like an artist with infinite canvases.

• Nvidia: The powerhouse builder, crafting the hardware and tools that fuel the AI revolution — think of them as the ones supplying the rocket fuel.

• Alphabet: The strategic brainiac, leveraging enterprise-scale AI research, applications, and services to make it all work seamlessly, like the ultimate chess master.

Together, this trio rules the AI space, driving innovation with their synergy and friendly competition. They’re not just shaping the industry; they’re scripting the blockbuster AI story of 2025!

Honorable Mentions

Not everyone can be in the AI Hall of Fame’s top three — it’s a crowded race with some serious heavyweights. But just because these tech titans didn’t snag the gold, silver, or bronze doesn’t mean they’re benchwarmers. 

Think of them as the Avengers of AI — each bringing their unique superpower to the table, even if Iron Man (or OpenAI) hogs the spotlight.

They’re the unsung heroes of the AI world, quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) changing how we live, work, and endlessly scroll. So, let’s give them the standing ovation they deserve — because when it comes to AI, these players are anything but ordinary.

Microsoft

“Microsoft is the generous friend funding the group project.”

Where They Stand: A major player in AI through Azure and its multi-billion-dollar partnership with OpenAI.
Signature Contribution: Integrated AI into tools like Office Copilot, making generative AI an office essential.

Amazon

“Amazon uses AI to predict your next shopping spree, and deliver it yesterday.”

Where They Stand: Dominates with AWS and AI-powered logistics.
Signature Contribution: SageMaker, making AI accessible for developers and enterprises alike.

Meta

“Meta’s AI keeps your social scrolling both addictive and eerily accurate.”

Where They Stand: Leader in language models and AI-driven recommendations.
Signature Contribution: LLaMA, democratizing advanced AI research tools.

Apple

“Apple’s AI: sleek, private, and always two steps ahead (of your wallet).”

Where They Stand: Quietly powerful, with AI innovations baked into Siri, iPhones, and the Neural Engine.
Signature Contribution: On-device machine learning for privacy-first intelligence.

Tesla

“Tesla’s AI dreams: cars that drive themselves and maybe dream of electric sheep.”

Where They Stand: Leading in autonomous driving and AI-powered robotics.
Signature Contribution: Dojo, a supercomputer training smarter self-driving systems.

Anthropic

“Anthropic is the AI philosopher asking, ‘But should we?’”

Where They Stand: Focused on safe, ethical AI with human alignment.
Signature Contribution: Claude, an AI emphasizing responsible and aligned interactions.

And let’s not forget, even though they didn’t make our top list, 100s of companies have been working tirelessly behind the scenes in 2024 — and with their relentless drive and innovation, they’re sure to make waves in 2025 and beyond. Here’s to the ones pushing boundaries, one algorithm at a time!

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Quiz

Drumroll, please… 🥁

Here are the answers to Friday’s quiz! Let’s see if you aced it or if your AI market knowledge needs a little holiday tune-up.

1. a) Their dominance in the AI chip market is propelling Nvidia’s growth as they become the infrastructure backbone for generative AI and robotics.

2. b) Tesla’s advances in AI-powered autonomous driving are capturing imaginations and investments.

3. b) The rally highlights AI’s transformative role across industries, showing it’s a driving force behind market momentum.

4. a) The Nasdaq and S&P 500 led the way, fueled by tech stocks leveraging AI.

5. a) The ETF spike underscores investor confidence in sector-specific funds focused on AI innovation.

And now, for the grand reveal — your score count! 

Time to see where you stand: AI genius or just warming up for the big leagues? 

• 5/5: AI Market Master — You’re ready to sleigh the AI market like Santa himself. 

• 4/5: Tech Savvy Elf — You’ve got the skills, but there’s room to grow! 

• 3/5: Holiday Hustler — You’re in the game, but you need to polish those AI smarts. 

• 2/5 or less: Festive Newbie — Time to catch up on your AI market knowledge. 

Sending warm wishes your way for you and your loved ones — cheers to an incredible start to the new year! May 2025 bring you success, happiness, and maybe even a dash of AI magic to keep things exciting. Here’s to making it your best year yet — see you in 2025! 🥂 

- Mario and Diego