Global AI funding has hit $290 billion over the past five years, with more than 15,400 deals completed since 2022, according to Pitchbook.
The AI market could grow to $2 trillion by 2030, covering sectors from AI software to hardware and services.
Large late-stage funding rounds are taking center stage, with established AI companies with proven models raising billions.
Generative AI startups receive an annual funding contribution of $26 billion for the last five years, particularly across content creation, healthcare, and enterprise solutions.
There are more than 100 VC funds actively investing in the AI market, with some taking a more cautious approach to revenue and more stable market conditions.
VCs are focusing less on seed-stage deals as they zero in on startups with established product-market fit.
AI infrastructure and hardware companies are seeing increased funding as generative AI models demand more computing power.
VCs are drawn to startups applying AI in healthcare, finance, and defense.
The next wave of billion-dollar startups in AI could focus on human-AI collaboration, autonomous energy management, and quantum molecular modeling.
For AI to be a force for good, AI systems need to be built avoiding discrimination and addressing the digital divide.