AI developers are struggling with a shortage of training data for their models, which is critical for advancing AI capabilities. Additionally, there is pressure to achieve breakthroughs on corporate timelines rather than the slower pace typical of academic research.
AI agents are tools designed to perform tasks for users, such as booking appointments or looking up information. For these agents to be effective, they need to be more reliable than current systems, and major companies are heavily investing in this technology.
Companies are exploring new ways to grow AI models, but it remains unclear if breakthroughs can occur on the aggressive timelines set by corporate expectations. The pressure to innovate quickly contrasts with the slower pace of traditional scientific research.
Many AI companies are forming partnerships with the U.S. military to secure their future and position themselves as national security assets. For example, OpenAI has a defensive deal with Anduril, and Palantir and Anthropic have also reached significant agreements.
In 2025, there is anticipation for the next generation of AI models, particularly in areas like AI agents, video creation, and realistic voice and image generation. Companies are also expected to continue investing heavily in AI infrastructure and data centers.
The AI industry is forming strategic alliances with political figures and corporations to secure its future. For instance, OpenAI has partnered with Microsoft, and Elon Musk’s XAI is positioning itself as a competitor. Companies are also aligning with the U.S. military to emphasize their national security importance.
A Bernstein research report estimates that the largest tech companies will spend approximately $1 trillion on AI projects over the next five years, covering infrastructure, data, scaling, and GPUs.
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed David Sachs, a prominent venture capitalist, as AI czar. While the specifics of the role are unclear, the appointment indicates the administration’s focus on AI policy and its strategic importance, particularly in relation to China.
We’re hearing from our reporters and columnists about some of the biggest companies, trends and people in tech and what could be in store for 2025. Last year saw big developments in artificial intelligence for people and businesses. But AI developers, from startups to big tech companies, are facing new challenges including finding more training data for their models. WSJ reporter Deepa Seetharaman tells host Danny Lewis what this could mean for the science and business of AI in 2025.
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