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AI/LLMs: The Next Mobile Platform?

Aug 25, 2023

AI/LLMs: The Next Mobile Platform? (Related Tweet)

In a recent tweet, venture capitalist Marc Andreessen compared the early development of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) to the early days of the mobile platform. He specifically pointed to the similarities in the platforms for commercial apps and ecosystems, as well as the sequence of events that occurred during the first wave of adoption.

Andreessen's comparison is apt. Both AI/LLMs and mobile platforms have the potential to transform the way we live and work. They also share a number of key characteristics, including:

  • High technical complexity: Both AI/LLMs and mobile platforms are complex technologies that require significant investment in research and development.

  • High barriers to entry: The cost and expertise required to develop successful AI/LLMs and mobile apps are significant, which creates high barriers to entry for new entrants.

  • Network effects: The value of both AI/LLMs and mobile platforms increases as more people use them. This creates a virtuous cycle that can drive rapid adoption.

The early development of both AI/LLMs and mobile platforms followed a similar pattern. First, there was a period of rapid innovation and experimentation. This was followed by a period of consolidation, as the most successful platforms emerged and gained market share. Finally, there was a period of mass adoption, as the benefits of the platforms became clear to consumers and businesses.

We are still in the early days of AI/LLMs, but the parallels to the mobile platform are striking. The potential for AI/LLMs to transform the way we live and work is immense. It is possible that AI/LLMs will eventually become as ubiquitous as mobile phones.

The next few years will be critical for the development of AI/LLMs. The platforms that emerge during this period will shape the future of the technology. It will be exciting to watch how this story unfolds.

In addition to the similarities outlined above, there are also some key differences between AI/LLMs and mobile platforms. For example, AI/LLMs are more computationally intensive than mobile platforms, which means that they require more powerful hardware. Additionally, AI/LLMs are still under development, so there is more uncertainty about their long-term potential.

Despite these differences, the parallels between AI/LLMs and mobile platforms are clear. Both technologies have the potential to transform the way we live and work. It will be interesting to see how the development of AI/LLMs unfolds in the years to come.