New AI businesses refer to startups and companies that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to build innovative products and services across various industries. These businesses focus on using AI tools such as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics to automate tasks, enhance decision-making, provide insights from data, and create personalized user experiences. AI businesses cover a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, finance, education, e-commerce, autonomous driving, and entertainment. The core value of these companies lies in their ability to deploy AI at scale to solve real-world problems, ranging from AI-driven customer service chatbots to predictive analytics platforms that optimize business operations. New AI businesses tend to be highly adaptive, responding quickly to advances in AI research and technology, making them key drivers of innovation in the global economy.

The evolution and history of new AI businesses can be traced back to the early 2000s, when advances in computing power, the growth of the internet, and access to large datasets made AI commercially viable. Early AI companies were often focused on niche applications, such as speech recognition or recommendation systems. By the 2010s, with breakthroughs in deep learning and neural networks, AI businesses began to scale rapidly, attracting massive investments from venture capital firms and large tech companies. Pioneers like Google and IBM were some of the first to commercialize AI through acquisitions of startups like DeepMind (acquired by Google in 2014) and by developing enterprise AI platforms like IBM Watson. By the late 2010s and early 2020s, AI businesses expanded into new fields like autonomous vehicles, AI-powered healthcare diagnostics, and AI-driven marketing solutions. The growth of cloud computing services also facilitated the rise of AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS), allowing businesses of all sizes to integrate AI capabilities without the need for in-house expertise.

AI businesses have a profound relationship with artificial intelligence, as they are both drivers and beneficiaries of AI advancements. These companies not only apply the latest AI research to practical problems but also contribute to the development of new AI methods and technologies. The competitive nature of the AI business landscape pushes companies to continuously innovate, pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve. This relationship also benefits AI research, as businesses provide real-world data and challenges that lead to improvements in AI algorithms and systems. Furthermore, the success of these businesses has led to the widespread adoption of AI technologies across industries, accelerating the transition to an AI-driven economy. AI businesses are integral to AI's broader ecosystem, contributing to both its technological development and commercialization.

Notable new AI businesses include OpenAI, founded in 2015, which has become famous for developing the GPT series of language models, including GPT-3 and GPT-4, used for various applications like natural language understanding and text generation. UiPath, founded in 2005, focuses on robotic process automation (RPA), helping businesses automate repetitive tasks and workflows using AI. DataRobot, founded in 2012, offers AI-powered tools for automated machine learning, enabling businesses to build and deploy predictive models without requiring specialized data science expertise. Another key player is Nuro, founded in 2016, which develops autonomous delivery vehicles designed to navigate urban environments and make last-mile deliveries. Anduril Industries, founded in 2017, applies AI to defense technology, developing autonomous drones and surveillance systems for military use. Each of these companies represents a different application of AI technology, from natural language processing to automation and autonomous systems.

At the same time, many AI businesses that didn’t survive offer lessons about the challenges of commercializing cutting-edge technology. Jibo, founded in 2012, was an AI-powered social robot designed for home use, but it struggled to find a sustainable market and eventually shut down in 2018. Anki, another robotics startup founded in 2010, produced AI-driven consumer robots like Cozmo and Vector. Despite initial success, the company went out of business in 2019 due to financial difficulties. Metamind, an AI startup focused on deep learning founded in 2014, was acquired by Salesforce in 2016 and eventually shut down as its technology was integrated into Salesforce’s broader AI platform, Einstein. These companies show that while the potential for AI businesses is vast, the path to success can be difficult due to high competition, market demand, and the challenges of scaling AI technology.

New AI businesses are transforming industries by applying artificial intelligence to solve real-world problems. From their origins in the early 2000s to today, these companies have evolved alongside advancements in AI, growing in scope and impact. The relationship between AI research and business innovation is symbiotic, with businesses applying AI technologies to meet market needs and AI advancing due to practical implementations. Companies like OpenAI, UiPath, and Nuro represent the breadth of AI applications, while the failure of businesses like Jibo and Anki highlights the challenges in navigating the rapidly evolving AI landscape.