AI Investment Boom in 2024
2024 was a remarkable year for the tech industry, particularly in AI. Investments in AI startups reached $24 billion in Q2 2024 alone, more than double the previous quarter. As a result, AI became the largest sector by funding for the first time.
Globally, around 58,000 AI startups are currently active, with the U.S. leading in the number of AI projects developed over the past decade, followed by China, the UK, Israel, and Canada. Among the most valuable startups in the field are OpenAI, xAI, PerplexityAI, and SandboxAQ.
Poland, unfortunately, falls outside the top 15 countries in AI project volume. However, 2024 brought some notable achievements: Eleven Labs raised $80 million in a Series B round, gaining unicorn status, and announced plans to invest $11 million in its Warsaw hub over the next five years. Additionally, the Polish-British startup Wordware secured $30 million in a seed round. Overall, Polish AI startups attracted over €200 million in funding, more than doubling the €91 million raised the previous year.
With such rapid technological development, 2025 is set to bring even more groundbreaking innovations. Which trends are likely to dominate the conversation in the coming year?
AI Agents in Organizations
2025 will likely see widespread adoption of AI tools, including AI agents—systems capable of perceiving their environment, processing information, and taking actions to achieve specific goals. These semi-autonomous models will support various organizational functions, from customer service to data management.
AI agents will automate routine processes, allowing employees to focus on creative and strategic tasks. Integration of multi-agent systems will enable real-time analysis of complex data, delivering actionable insights. Moreover, AI agents will become increasingly “human-like,” improving their understanding of context and emotions, revolutionizing customer experiences.
AI in Healthcare
AI integration in healthcare is expected to bring significant changes, especially in personalized medicine and predictive analytics. AI will assist doctors in more accurately diagnosing conditions and quickly developing treatment plans, democratizing access to healthcare.
Advanced diagnostic tools will become more accessible, particularly in underserved regions. Automating tasks like triage and scheduling will address staff shortages and free up medical professionals to focus on patient care.
Green Programming and Sustainable IT
The IT sector has a considerable carbon footprint, responsible for 2-4% of global emissions annually—comparable to the aviation industry. As digitalization accelerates, data center energy consumption is projected to triple by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency.
In response, green programming will gain prominence in 2025, emphasizing efficient code that minimizes application energy consumption. Adopting green coding principles will not only improve software efficiency but also align with corporate social responsibility goals.
“Personalized” AI in Corporations
In 2025, businesses will increasingly implement targeted AI solutions tailored to specific challenges rather than relying on generic applications. This marks the end of the “AI theater” era, where companies invested in flashy technologies with little real impact.
Recognizing tangible benefits—such as improved operational efficiency and enhanced customer experiences—companies will allocate more resources to integrating AI into their workflows. This shift will drive demand for skilled professionals capable of managing AI systems effectively.
AI in Risk Management
AI-driven risk management will gain popularity, enabling companies to analyze vast datasets quickly. Predictive analytics and machine learning models will allow organizations to develop proactive strategies to mitigate financial and operational risks.
AI integration in risk management processes will streamline decision-making at all organizational levels.
Blockchain Matures
Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies are entering a maturity phase, with significant growth anticipated in 2025. The blockchain market is projected to reach $42.26 billion, and institutional adoption is accelerating, as evidenced by the first Bitcoin ETFs.
Technological advancements in 2025 are expected to double blockchain network throughput. The stablecoin market could grow by 50%, reaching $300 billion, while the tokenization of real-world assets may hit $30 billion.
AI and blockchain convergence could boost global GDP by $1.76 trillion by 2030. Despite regulatory challenges, growing government interest, including potential Bitcoin reserves, signals the ecosystem’s maturity and integration into mainstream finance.
Generative AI in Marketing and Product Development
Generative AI will see broader adoption across industries, including non-tech sectors. From generating marketing content to designing new products based on consumer preferences, generative models offer extensive applications.
This trend will drive investments in generative AI startups and encourage large players to integrate these technologies into existing processes. As their popularity grows, these tools will reshape entire industries, such as the creative sector, enabling rapid personalization of content at scale.
AI in Financial Advisory
In 2025, personal finance could undergo significant changes as AI-powered tools offer personalized investment advice based on individual goals and risk tolerance. These tools leverage vast market datasets and advancements in natural language processing to provide intuitive user interactions.
This will democratize access to financial advice and investment opportunities while offering cost-effective alternatives to traditional advisory services.
AI in Education
AI integration in education could transform the experiences of students and teachers. Personalized learning paths and progress tracking will ensure students receive support where it’s most needed.
Teachers will benefit from AI tools that automate administrative tasks, such as grading and attendance tracking, freeing up time for teaching.
Industrial Robotics Development
Driven by rising labor costs, workforce shortages, and the need for efficiency, industrial robotics adoption is set to soar. Advanced AI-powered robots will not only automate routine tasks but also optimize production processes in real-time.
Adaptive robotic systems with machine learning will enable flexible production lines that respond quickly to changes in demand and product specifications. This shift toward smart factories will enhance competitiveness and create new opportunities in robot programming and oversight.
The End of Google’s Search Monopoly?
In 2025, the landscape of online search tools is poised for a major transformation that could challenge Google’s dominant position. Conversational AI tools like Perplexity and ChatGPT offer a more intuitive search experience, redefining user expectations with personalized, context-aware responses.
This behavioral shift could weaken Google’s dominance, particularly as regulatory challenges loom.
Funding Opportunities Ahead
The coming months promise further technological advancements. Companies and investors ready to embrace innovation—particularly in AI, robotics, blockchain, and green programming—have significant growth opportunities.
In the upcoming months our fund plans to invest tens of millions of zlotys in innovative projects, focusing on pre-seed and seed-stage startups. If you’re developing a project in AI, CleanTech, EdTech, MedTech, Cybersecurity, SaaS, or Marketplace models, reach out to us at: contact@thcpathfinder.com or aron.nowosad@thcpathfinder.com.