I'm not a huge AI fanboy or bagholder, but I have of course noticed the buzz in the investment world surrounding AI and related investments. It's basically the next big thing, right?
I'm not going to be "crunching the numbers" in this post, I just wanted to make some general observations or do some trend-analysis if you will..
**1. AI chatbot usage shows no sign of slowing down.**
Most people I know use at least one chatbot on a regular basis with daily usage increasing, especially on social media. This trend grew rapidly through 2025.
**2. Websites and software are increasingly implementing their own AI assistants or chatbots.**
Online merchants, PDF viewers, CAD software, etc. Again, no sign of this going away anytime soon, if anything this trend will spread to more and more apps until it is the norm.
**3. Regulation and training framework being laid.**
The EU has already passed the AI Act which governs all AI usage within the EU. Companies are now required to train their employees on best practices when using AI (and expect them to use it). I've already been required to do training for my workplace and I'm not even in the EU.
**4. State sanctioned AI races / military incorporation.**
AI is going to be leveraged in war at the expense of (probably everyone) the side with the slowest AI implementation. This is just how technology and war evolve and I consider AI as a technology no different in this respect.
**5. The "AI of Everything"**
Reiterating some of what I stated above, basically my thesis is that AI is the next technological phenomenon that will permeate every area of our lives. Everything that can have AI, will have AI, eventually. Every app, website, software, hardware, vehicle, restaurant, healthcare device, toaster oven, guided missile system, and drone swarm. Every industry & every sector will be touched by AI in some way, shape, or form. For better or for worse.
I agree that many valuations appear high right now, but why can't they go much higher in the long term? Those of you calling for a bubble to pop, do you expect just a short term crash like the dotcom bust to filter out winners, or a complete failure of the technology? Personally I think AI is only just beginning.