AI & Big Data

One can intuitively surmise artificial intelligence (AI) is today’s hot commodity, gaining traction in businesses, academia and government in recent years. Now, there is data — all in one place — that documents growth across many indicators, including startups, venture capital, job openings and academic programs. These bellwethers were captured in the AI Index, produced under the auspices of was conceived within Stanford University’s Human-Centered AI Institute and the One Hundred Year Study on AI (AI100).

One key measure of AI development is startups and venture capital funding. From January 2015 to January 2018, active AI startups increased 2.1x, while all active startups increased 1.3x, the report states. “For the most part, growth in all active startups has remained relatively steady, while the number of AI startups has seen exponential growth,” the report’s authors add. The trickle of venture capital into AI startups, another bellwether, also turned into a torrent. VC funding for AI startups in the US increased 4.5x from 2013 to 2017. Meanwhile, VC funding for all active startups increased 2.08x.

Another key measure, job openings, accelerated in AI. While machine learning is the largest skill cited as a requirement, deep learning is growing at the fastest rate — from 2015 to 2017 the number of job openings requiring deep learning increased 35x, the report’s authors state.

Continue reading… “How fast is artificial intelligence growing? Look at the key bellwethers”