Serhiy Tokarev: AI Is No Longer a Trend—It’s the New Normal

Web Summit 2024 left no doubt: Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword—it is a transformative force reshaping industries, lifestyles, and the global economy. From healthcare to entertainment, AI’s influence is everywhere, signaling its transition from innovation to necessity.

AI: From Niche to Mainstream

“AI will become commonplace,” asserts Serhiy Tokarev, an IT entrepreneur and co-founder of Roosh Ventures. “Web Summit proves it. It is happening now.”

The numbers back it up. According to McKinsey, 65 percent of enterprises now regularly use generative AI, a near doubling in less than a year. Meanwhile, AI startups received $127 billion in global investment in 2024 alone, a 45 percent increase from the previous year (PitchBook).

Tech giants are fueling the momentum. Microsoft plans to invest $1.3 billion in AI infrastructure over three years, while Google collaborates with European research labs to explore new AI applications. This is not speculative; it is decisive action toward making AI a cornerstone of the modern world.

Essential for Businesses

AI is no longer optional for companies. “Companies that ignore AI risk obsolescence, while those who embrace it are at the forefront of a new era,” Serhiy Tokarev warns. The technology’s ability to streamline operations, personalize customer experiences, and uncover data insights is essential to staying competitive.

Key business applications include:

• Automation:
  Simplifying repetitive tasks.
• Customer Support:
  Enhancing service with AI-driven chatbots.
• Data Analysis:
  Unlocking insights at unprecedented speeds.
• Personalization:
  Tailoring products and services to individual needs.
• Innovation:
  Enabling new, disruptive business models.

Beyond Business: Science and Sustainability

AI’s potential extends far beyond commerce. It accelerates breakthroughs in genomics, drug discovery, and climate science, while supporting biodiversity conservation and precision agriculture. AI-powered tools are also redefining creative pursuits, enabling artists, musicians, and writers to explore new frontiers.

However, with great opportunity comes significant responsibility. Cybersecurity challenges are growing as AI becomes integral to daily life. “Cybersecurity and cyber hygiene will become the new normal for everyone in their personal lives and a necessity for companies. We must realize this and accept it,” Serhiy Tokarev emphasizes.

AI in Everyday Life

AI’s ubiquity is also evident on the consumer side. Tools like ChatGPT are helping millions draft emails, learn new skills, and even write novels. Generative AI apps are democratizing creativity, while the smart home market continues its meteoric rise, projected to grow at a 17.26 percent annual rate through 2028.

AI is also reshaping the job market, creating 97 million new roles by 2025 while automating others, according to the World Economic Forum. “That’s why we founded SET University in Ukraine,” the entrepreneur shares, “to provide innovative higher education for future leaders of the technology industry.”

Looking Ahead

Web Summit 2024 underscores a simple truth: AI is here to stay. The future lies in how effectively we integrate this technology into our lives and businesses.

“AI opens up a lot of new opportunities,” Serhiy Tokarev concludes. “To thrive in the future, we must learn to make the most of AI's potential in our personal lives and for work.”

The world is ready for AI—are you?