2025 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Trends - Popularization, Big Tech Movements, Semiconductor Notable Companies

The evolution of AI technology and the arrival of its popularization

By 2024, AI technology existed with a somewhat skeptical view. The term 'AI bubble' was circulating, and debates about 'limits to scaling' continued. There was skepticism that even with large-scale data and enormous computational resources, performance wouldn't improve beyond a certain level. Additionally, users strongly perceived the technology as unstable and somewhat lacking. However, as we entered 2025, the situation rapidly changed. Major AI models such as OpenAI's GPT, Anthropic's Claude, Google's Gemini, and Meta's LLaMA advanced at an unprecedented pace. Most notably, a significant change was that high-performance models became available for free. The top-tier AI performance that had required a monthly payment of over $20 until 2024 began to be offered to free users, resulting in an explosive increase in the number of users. Moreover, the evolution of AI interfaces played a key role in driving this democratization. With capabilities extending beyond simple text input to include voice recognition, image analysis, and multimodal interfaces, even users who were not familiar with computers could easily access these technologies. In particular, voice-based interfaces greatly lowered barriers to entry for older users and children.

AI platform strategy for restructuring the industrial structure

The popularization of AI is leading to a reorganization of industry dynamics beyond mere technological diffusion. The most dramatic example is OpenAI's strategy. Whereas ChatGPT was previously considered a simple chatbot or text generation tool, it is now evolving into an integrated platform that encompasses search, shopping, social networking, and messaging functionalities. Through the content tab, it offers short videos in the form of reels, and with the influx of user-generated content, the 'user dwell time' has significantly increased. This inevitably translates to advertising revenue. OpenAI is now aiming for an advertising-based platform that simultaneously targets Google in the search market, Meta in social networking, Kakao in messaging, and Amazon in shopping. When users come not just to seek information, but to engage in enjoyment, chatting, and shopping—making ChatGPT the center of these everyday activities—the standing of existing platforms is bound to weaken. This platform strategy aims for long-term dominance over user ecosystems that goes beyond short-term profits.

Responses and Crises of Global Big Tech

These changes are coming as a threat to existing big tech companies. First, Apple is in a defensive position after failing to develop its own AI model. The WWDC announcement lacked specific AI plans, and it has not been able to realistically implement its own brand called 'Apple Intelligence.' As a result, there are rumors about acquiring external AI startups like Perplexity and Mistral, making it imperative for the company to secure technology. Meta has experienced significant cracks in its existing strategy due to controversy over the performance of its LLaMA 4 model. Consequently, instead of Yann LeCun, they have brought in Alexander Wang, the founder of Scale AI, as the head of AI and restructured into a 'Super Intelligence Lab.' They are making a substantial strategic shift, investing up to $100 million per individual for talent acquisition. This can be seen as a critical gamble to close the performance gap in AI. Google is also leading with Gemini, declaring a full-scale offensive in AI search. They have moved away from traditional text-based searches to implement AI-based answer systems, but in terms of user satisfaction, they still fall short of ChatGPT.

AI infrastructure and semiconductor industry gold rush

The democratization of AI has led to explosive demand in the cloud, data center, and semiconductor industries. In particular, semiconductors are shifting from the existing paradigm of being a cyclical industry to becoming a continuously growing upward industry. Companies such as NVIDIA, which dominates the GPU market, as well as SK Hynix, Micron, and TSMC are benefiting directly. NVIDIA is leading the market with high-performance GPUs optimized for AI training and inference, and it plays a key supplier role in the construction of OpenAI's data centers. Moreover, as the number of AI model users surges, cloud service providers are also competing to secure computing resources. OpenAI has even reached out to Google Cloud, illustrating that the demand is exploding to a level that Microsoft Azure alone cannot handle.

AI is electricity: the enabler that makes everything possible

AI is not just a technology. It is a foundational technology that changes the very structure of industries, cities, and nations, often referred to as "enabling technology." Just like the advent of electricity changed everything in the past, AI enables elevators, alters the structure of skyscrapers and cities, and creates new industries and daily conveniences such as air conditioning, refrigerators, and washing machines. The same applies to AI. It is not just changing search it is causing structural innovations across industries, including robotic taxis, humanoids, smart cities, and automated logistics. OpenAI is trying to bring search, content, messaging, and shopping all into the ChatGPT platform, and this transformation is rewriting the landscape of social media, commerce, messaging, and video content industries.

Korea's Response and Challenges

In this global landscape, the strategy that Korea should adopt is clear. In the short term, it needs to secure capabilities through technology imports and cooperation, while in the medium to long term, it should move towards technological independence and the development of sovereignty-based AI. Some express skepticism about the term 'server-based AI,' but the key is to acquire technologies that possess global competitiveness. To achieve this, strong state-led investment is necessary. It should not be limited to merely supporting a few startups a national-level AI strategy and large-scale capital infusion must be pursued simultaneously. Many view the government's planned investment of 100 trillion won as insufficient, and experts advocate that it should be promoted as a long-term project lasting over a decade.

Conclusion

2025 will be a year when AI becomes fully mainstream and reshapes entire industries. AI is no longer just a simple chatbot or automation tool it is creating an ecosystem that encompasses search, content, shopping, and communication. Amidst these changes, even established big tech companies like Google, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft are undertaking comprehensive strategy revisions, while semiconductor and infrastructure companies stand at the center of a gold rush. AI is like electricity it is important in itself but is also a technology that enables even more change. The changes we face today are not an end but a beginning. South Korea must also prepare for a new industrial revolution era with a bolder and more long-term strategy, so as not to fall behind in this massive wave. AI is no longer a technology of the distant future. It is the current technology that is changing our lives, industries, and nation right now.