Davos 2024
is a tale of two technologies: Artificial Intelligence (AI) ascends, while cryptocurrency fades into the background. Gone are the days of
Bitcoin
Pizza Days and flashy NFT showcases; the main strip in Davos is now awash with
AI
slogans and futuristic promises.
This dramatic shift reflects a surge in global AI investment, fueled by the explosive popularity of ChatGPT and the scramble for technological leadership.
From Intel and Salesforce to Swisscom, tech giants are vying for prominence, plastering their properties with AI proclamations and hosting dedicated event spaces like the "AI House."
The data backs up the hype. PitchBook reports a sixfold increase in AI investment compared to Web3 and DeFi startups. And Nvidia, the AI market's poster child, witnessed a 239% stock surge in 2023. This buzz is unlikely to fade soon.
AI pushes Crypto to the sidelines
Meanwhile, the crypto industry seems surprisingly at ease with its diminished presence. Dante Disparte, a Davos veteran and crypto advocate, sees this as a sign of the technology's maturation. "Crypto is becoming a background technology," he says, comparing it to the dotcom bubble that paved the way for a more stable internet.
While some major crypto players, like Circle and CasperLabs, still maintain a presence, the overall atmosphere is one of subdued celebration. Despite Bitcoin's 150% rally in 2023 and the recent approval of a Bitcoin ETF, the industry seems more focused on solidifying its legitimacy than promoting flashy gimmicks.
The 2024 World Economic Forum marks a turning point. AI has grabbed the spotlight, and while cryptocurrency isn't fading away, its role seems to be shifting. The future of technology, it appears, is written in code, not distributed ledgers.
English (US) ·