In a notable shift in public interest, searches for "AI" on Google have significantly surpassed those for "Bitcoin" and "crypto" in 2023. This trend marks a departure from previous years, where Bitcoin and occasionally "crypto" managed to lead in search interest. The change became apparent around August 2022, with searches for "AI" notably breaking out in November 2022, coinciding with the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT. As a result, AI now holds a commanding Google Trends score of 91, in contrast to Bitcoin's 22.
Despite Bitcoin starting the year at $16,900, far below its all-time high, and gaining around 150% to reach $43,400, its search interest has not mirrored this financial resurgence. The most interest in Bitcoin was reported from countries like El Salvador, Nigeria, Netherlands, Brazil, and Switzerland. Meanwhile, AI has had a banner year, with significant developments and public interest, particularly from Vietnam, China, the Philippines, and Myanmar. The launch of ChatGPT in November 2022 led to a surge in searches for "AI jobs," outpacing "crypto jobs" by four times.
Analysts note that while AI's search interest is at an all-time high, it has yet to reach the peak levels of Bitcoin's hype in 2017. Mark Schilsky of AllianceBernstein highlighted the contrast in a recent analysis, noting that while AI and terms like "Metaverse" are buzzworthy, Bitcoin's peak search interest during its 2017 mania was unmatched. This disparity can be partly attributed to the longstanding existence of AI and terms like "artificial intelligence," dating back to the 1950s, in contrast to Bitcoin's relative novelty at that time.
The recent surge in AI's popularity is largely due to OpenAI's ChatGPT, which has sparked an AI arms race among major tech companies like Microsoft and Google. This shift in public interest signifies a changing landscape in technology, with AI increasingly becoming a central topic of discussion and curiosity among the global audience.
Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided in this article is based on the referenced research articles. It is essential to conduct further research and analysis before making any investment decisions. The cryptocurrency market is highly volatile, and investors should exercise caution and consult with financial professionals before engaging in cryptocurrency trading or investment activities.