AI models are 'just scratching the surface' and will 'skyrocket in the near future,' Google Cloud director says

• AI models will "skyrocket" as they attract interest from companies, a Google Cloud director says.
• Tarek Khalil told Business Insider that the AI race was only just getting started.
• Google is preparing to launch its Gemini AI model, seen as a competitor to OpenAI's GPT-4.

The AI arms race has only just started between companies that are integrating the technology, a Google Cloud director said.

In an interview with Business Insider, Tarek Khalil, director, Middle East and North Africa, said the recent competitiveness was "only the beginning."

The tech world, especially Microsoft and Google, have been locked in an AI arms race since the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT last year. Both companies have been producing AI-powered products at pace, announcing similar chatbots, AI-powered search, and workplace assistants.

While there is some evidence consumer interest in AI is starting to dip after an intense year-long hype cycle, Khalil said companies were only just starting to integrate the tech.

"I think the future is very bright for AI, specifically with the investments companies are doing now, not only on the tech side but also on the resource and partnerships side," he said.

"We just scratching the surface so far, especially when you start seeing use cases being built out," he added. "Models are definitely going to skyrocket in the near future because there are a lot of engagements on that front — a lot of investments are being done not only from the tech provider, but also from the end user side and also from the partner side."

The next few years are going to be the era of AI, as far as Khalil's concerned.

As the AI race heats up, Google has unveiled Gemini, its potential rival to OpenAI's GPT-4. The much-anticipated AI model, which has been delayed several times, is being incorporated into Bard immediately, with a more advanced model set to launch next year.