The AI Era is Here, and It’s Changing Everything: Insights from Serhii Tokarev

At Web Summit 2024, one thing was absolutely clear: Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword. It is the force reshaping industries, redefining businesses, and embedding itself in our daily lives.

According to Serhii Tokarev, an IT investor and co-founder of Roosh Ventures, Web Summit makes it undeniable—AI has transitioned from trend to necessity; its integration into work, innovation, and daily life is a case for the distant future, it is happening now.

The numbers confirm this shift. A McKinsey survey reports that 65 percent of enterprises now use generative AI—nearly double the figure from last year. In 2024, global investment in AI startups hit $127 billion, a 45 percent increase from 2023 (PitchBook).

Tech leaders are making bold moves. Microsoft committed $1.3 billion to expand AI infrastructure, while Google is collaborating with European labs to push the boundaries of AI research. These investments show that AI is no longer optional; it is essential.

For companies, the message is simple: adapt or risk falling behind. Businesses that fail to adopt AI will struggle to compete, Serhii Tokarev warns. AI offers clear advantages in five key areas:

1. Automation: Eliminating repetitive tasks to save time.

2. Customer Engagement: Personalizing experiences with AI-driven tools.

3. Data Insights: Analyzing information faster than ever before.

4. Innovation: Creating new business models and services.

5. Cost Savings: Streamlining processes to improve efficiency.

AI is transforming science, sustainability, and creativity. It accelerates breakthroughs in drug discovery, climate science, and biodiversity conservation while enabling precision agriculture and real-time ecosystem monitoring.

AI’s potential to revolutionize creative industries is equally striking. Artists, musicians, and writers are using generative tools to expand their creative possibilities.

But with progress comes challenges. AI’s rise demands stronger cybersecurity measures to protect data and systems. Cyber hygiene must become the new normal for individuals and companies, Serhii Tokarev emphasizes.

From ChatGPT helping millions with tasks to the growing smart home market (projected to expand at 17.26 percent annually through 2028), AI is becoming an integral part of everyday life. The job market is also shifting, with AI expected to create 97 million jobs globally by 2025 while automating 85 million others.

AI opens up incredible opportunities, Serhii Tokarev concludes. According to the investor, the challenge these days is to embrace it responsibly and creatively.