What’s the future of AI?

| Article
AI is here to stay. To outcompete in the future, organizations and individuals alike need to get familiar fast. This series of McKinsey Explainers dives deep into the seven technologies that are already shaping the years to come.
Conceptual illustration of 7 glasslike panels floating over a grid. The panels transition from dark to light blue and 2 pink lines weave past the panels and pink dots float around the grid.
Conceptual illustration of 7 glasslike panels floating over a grid. The panels transition from dark to light blue and 2 pink lines weave past the panels and pink dots float around the grid.

We’re in the midst of a revolution. Just as steam power, mechanized engines, and coal supply chains transformed the world in the 18th century, AI technology is currently changing the face of work, our economies, and society as we know it. We don’t know exactly what the future will look like. But we do know that these seven technologies will play a big role.

3D robotics hand

What is AI (artificial intelligence)?

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Artificial intelligence is a machine’s ability to perform some cognitive functions we usually associate with human minds.

What is generative AI?

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Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms (such as ChatGPT) that can be used to create new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. Recent breakthroughs in the field have the potential to drastically change the way we approach content creation.
A green apple split into 3 parts on a gray background. Half of the apple is made out of a digital blue wireframe mesh.
A profile of a 3d head made of concrete that is sliced in half creating two separate parts. Pink neon binary numbers travel from one half of the a head to the other by a stone bridge that connects the two parts.

What is artificial general intelligence (AGI)?

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Artificial general intelligence (AGI) is a theoretical AI system with capabilities that rival those of a human. Many researchers believe we are still decades, if not centuries, away from achieving AGI.

What is deep learning?

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Deep learning is a type of machine learning that is more capable, autonomous, and accurate than traditional machine learning.
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An old fashioned type writer with a sheet of paper advancing from it. The paper has the pattern of a brain made of recently typed letters imprinted upon it.

What is prompt engineering?

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Prompt engineering is the practice of designing inputs for AI tools that will produce optimal outputs.

What is machine learning?

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Machine learning is a form of artificial intelligence that is able to learn without explicit programming by a human.
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A terracotta soldier figurine emerging from a digital tablet. The soldier looks digitized at it's base but becomes a solid form at it's top.

What is tokenization?

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Tokenization is the process of creating a digital representation of a real thing. Tokenization can be used to protect sensitive data or to efficiently process large amounts of data.