By 2030 AI software companies will need 'trillions of dollars' in AI chips: ARK chief futurist

CNBC Television
18 Mar 202404:19

TLDRThe discussion highlights the significant investment in AI software, predicting $14 trillion spent by 2030, necessitating trillions in AI chip production annually. The valuation of such technology is complex, with a halo effect on broader tech spending. The focus is on the foundational model layer companies, seen as a new operating system for computation, with Google and Apple's potential collaboration indicating a shift in the tech landscape. Private companies like Anthropic and industry leaders such as Tesla are noted for their compelling AI narratives, especially in autonomous driving. The potential of AI to transform entertainment and media content is also emphasized, with Meta's open sourcing strategy being a notable approach to capitalize on these advancements.

Takeaways

  • 🚀 By 2030, $14 trillion is expected to be spent on AI software, highlighting the massive growth potential in this sector.
  • 💡 The AI chip industry will require trillions of dollars in investment annually to support the software development and technology demands.
  • 📈 Despite the substantial investment and growth, valuing AI chip companies remains a complex task when compared to other market opportunities.
  • 🌐 The halo effect of AI chip spending suggests that for every dollar spent on H-100 chips, $10 to $12 is spent on software and other tech ecosystem components.
  • 🛠️ Foundation model layer companies are seen as the new emerging operating systems, which could significantly disrupt the tech industry.
  • 🤖 Google and Apple's potential collaboration indicates a shift towards recognizing AI as a foundational system rather than a feature to be added to existing platforms.
  • 🌟 Anthropic is a private company that is gaining interest for its potential role in the AI deployment space.
  • 🚗 Tesla's compelling AI story is set to transform the market, with autonomous driving becoming more likely due to advancements in AI technology.
  • 🏎️ Tesla's business model could significantly transform if their autonomous robo-taxi software becomes a commercializable product.
  • 🎮 The consumer entertainment sector is poised for transformation with AI models that can generate hyper-compelling media content.
  • 🔄 Meta's decision to open-source its AI operating systems is a strategic move to stay competitive and drive innovation in content generation.

Q & A

  • What is the estimated global spending on AI software by 2030?

    -The estimated global spending on AI software by 2030 is $14 trillion. This figure highlights the significant investment in AI technology and the need for advanced AI chips to support these software solutions.

  • What is the halo effect in terms of AI chip spending?

    -The halo effect refers to the broader impact that spending on AI chips has on overall tech spending. For every dollar spent on H-100 chips, it is estimated that an additional $10 to $12 is spent on software and other parts of the tech ecosystem necessary to make the AI chip function effectively.

  • How does the foundation model layer companies affect the tech industry?

    -Foundation model layer companies are seen as a new type of operating system for the tech industry. They are fundamentally changing the way AI is developed and deployed, and this shift poses a significant risk to traditional tech heavyweights as the industry landscape evolves.

  • What is the significance of the reported collaboration between Google and Apple?

    -The reported collaboration between Google and Apple, where Apple might license Google's Gemini model, indicates that major tech companies recognize the importance of the new operating systems emerging in the AI space. It suggests a strategic move to adapt to the changing tech landscape.

  • Why is Tesla considered a compelling AI story in the market?

    -Tesla is considered a compelling AI story due to its advancements in autonomous driving technology. The company's distribution network and business model transformation potential make it a significant player in the AI market, especially if they can successfully commercialize their autonomous robo-taxi software.

  • How might the entertainment industry be transformed by AI?

    -The entertainment industry is expected to be transformed by AI through the creation of hyper-compelling AI models that capture consumer attention. Generated media content, such as that seen on platforms like TikTok, could become even more engaging and personalized, significantly altering the way we consume entertainment.

  • What is the historical analogy mentioned in the script related to innovation and market winners?

    -The historical analogy mentioned in the script refers to the invention of refrigeration. It points out that the companies that benefited the most from this innovation were not the refrigerator manufacturers, but companies like Coca-Cola that utilized the technology to revolutionize their products and distribution. This suggests that in the AI space, the winners may not be the chip manufacturers, but those who can best leverage AI to transform their industries.

  • How does the AI chip market valuation present challenges?

    -The valuation of AI chip companies is challenging because it requires underwriting significant capital investment against the potential revenue from AI software. This makes it difficult to determine the appropriate valuation relative to other opportunities in the market over the course of the business cycle.

  • What are some other names in the AI space that are of interest?

    -Besides NVIDIA, other names of interest in the AI space include Anthropic on the private side, which is considered extremely interesting due to enterprise demand for AI solutions, and Tesla, which has a strong AI story particularly in the realm of autonomous driving.

  • How does the AI chip market affect the consumer side of the economy?

    -The AI chip market has a significant impact on the consumer side of the economy by enabling the development of advanced AI models that can captivate consumer attention. This can lead to new forms of entertainment, more personalized experiences, and potentially new business models that disrupt traditional industries.

  • What is Meta's strategy in terms of AI operating systems?

    -Meta is adopting a strategy of open-sourcing its AI operating systems. This approach allows them to play a significant role in the generation of compelling AI content and to stay at the forefront of the AI transformation in the entertainment and consumer space.

Outlines

00:00

💡AI and Chip Industry Insights

The paragraph discusses the significant impact of AI and chip technology since their inception. Brett Winton, a guest speaker, shares his insights on the industry, highlighting the projection that $14 trillion will be spent on AI software by 2030, necessitating trillions of dollars in AI chips annually. He emphasizes the challenge of valuation for such investments over the business cycle compared to other market opportunities. The discussion also touches on the halo effect of AI chip spending, with estimates suggesting that for every dollar spent on H-100 chips, $10 to $12 is allocated to software and other tech ecosystem components essential for AI chip functionality. Winton expresses his interest in foundation model layer companies, comparing their role to a new operating system for tech cooperation and noting the risks for tech heavyweights. He mentions news about Google and Apple potentially collaborating, indicating a shift towards recognizing AI's role as a foundational system rather than a feature addition to existing platforms. The conversation also explores the potential of private companies like Anthropic and Tesla in the AI space, with a focus on autonomous driving and the transformative potential of AI in the entertainment sector, specifically mentioning the impact of AI-generated media content on consumer engagement.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Technology

Technology refers to the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. In the context of the video, it is the foundation for the creation and trade of chips, which are crucial components in modern electronic devices and systems. The discussion revolves around the advancements in technology, particularly in AI and its impact on various industries.

💡AI (Artificial Intelligence)

AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans. In the video, AI is a central theme, with a projected $14 trillion to be spent on AI software by 2030. It emphasizes the need for AI chips to power this technology and the challenges in valuing companies within the AI space.

💡Chips

Chips, in the context of the video, refer to semiconductor devices used in electronics for functions such as computing and data storage. They are essential components in the development of AI technology. The conversation underscores the importance of AI chips in powering the software and the substantial investment required to produce them.

💡Valuation

Valuation is the process of determining the economic value of an asset or a company, often based on financial performance and market conditions. In the video, valuation is a key challenge, as the speakers discuss the difficulty of assessing the value of companies in the AI chip industry over the business cycle compared to other market opportunities.

💡Halo Effect

The halo effect is a cognitive bias where the perception of one trait or aspect positively influences the perception of other traits or aspects of the same entity. In the video, the halo effect is discussed in relation to spending on AI chips and how it could influence broader tech spending, suggesting that investment in AI chips may lead to increased spending in other areas of the tech ecosystem.

💡Ecosystem

An ecosystem, in a technological context, refers to the interconnected community of organizations, devices, apps, and services that work together to deliver a seamless experience. In the video, the AI chip ecosystem includes the tools and software necessary to make AI chips function effectively and generate revenue.

💡Foundation Model Layer Companies

Foundation model layer companies are those that provide the foundational models and technologies upon which other applications and services are built. These companies are seen as creating a new operating system for computation, which is a significant shift from traditional technology platforms.

💡Google and Apple

Google and Apple are two of the largest technology companies in the world, known for their innovative products and services. In the context of the video, their potential collaboration is discussed as a sign that they recognize the importance of the new operating system emerging in the AI space.

💡Anthropic

Anthropic refers to a company or an approach that is focused on human-centered design and development. In the video, Anthropic is mentioned as an interesting private company in the AI space, indicating that there are compelling opportunities beyond well-known public companies like NVIDIA.

💡Tesla

Tesla is an American electric vehicle and clean energy company known for its innovative approach to automotive and energy solutions. In the video, Tesla is discussed as having the most compelling AI story in the market, particularly in relation to autonomous driving technology.

💡Autonomous Driving

Autonomous driving refers to the technology that allows vehicles to navigate and operate without human input. In the video, autonomous driving is a key aspect of the AI discussion, with Tesla being seen as a leader in this field. The advancements in AI are making autonomous driving more feasible and increasing the potential for its implementation in the near future.

💡Consumer Entertainment

Consumer entertainment refers to the media and activities that are designed to amuse and engage consumers. In the video, the potential transformation of consumer entertainment by AI is discussed, with the creation of hyper-compelling AI models that can captivate user attention, such as generated media content.

Highlights

The ongoing evolution and impact of technology and chips since their inception and trade.

Brett Winton's insights on the AI industry, emphasizing the significant investment in AI software by 2030.

The necessity for trillions of dollars in AI chips annually to support the projected spending on AI software.

The challenge of valuing AI chip companies over the business cycle compared to other market opportunities.

Web Bush's estimation that for every dollar spent on H-100 chips, $10 to $12 is spent on software and other tech ecosystem components.

The trajectory of spending on AI chips and the ecosystem required to make AI chips work effectively.

The foundational model layer companies being seen as a new emerging operating system for computation.

The potential risk to tech heavyweights due to the emergence of new foundational model layer companies.

News of Google and Apple potentially teaming up for Apple to license Google's Gemini model, indicating a shift in the tech landscape.

The increasing interest in Anthropic on the private side and the scramble by enterprises to deploy AI technologies.

Tesla's compelling AI story and the advancements in autonomous driving technology.

The transformative potential of AI in the entertainment industry, particularly in generated media content.

Meta's strategy of open-sourcing its AI operating systems as a way to generate compelling content for users.

The historical metaphor of refrigeration's invention and its relevance to the potential winners in the AI space.

The opportunity for consumer-focused companies to benefit from AI, particularly in the entertainment sector.