![\"Apps](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/D86E\/production\/_131660455_gettyimages-1258475356.jpg.webp)
<\/picture><\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nIn the tech world, 2023 will perhaps be remembered as the year that generative AI went mainstream. <\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n From computer code, to artwork, to essays, generative AI systems can quickly create a range of content which, while not perfect, has become an essential tool in some industries and professions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Backed by Microsoft, ChatGPT led the way with its launch in late 2022, and rivals have been piling in ever since.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n This month bought one of the most significant moves, when Alphabet, the owner of Google, revealed Gemini – an AI which will be integrated into Google products, including its chatbot and search engine. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Alphabet claims Gemini outperforms the current version of ChatGPT.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n But the creator of ChatGPT, OpenAI, says it is not standing still. It is promising a more powerful version of its software next year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n In November, at a conference for software developers, OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman said: “What we launched today is going to look very quaint, relative to what we’re busy creating for you now.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/span><\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Meanwhile, investors are pouring money into the industry, hoping to back the next big player.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n According to PitchBook, across the globe, venture capital firms poured $21.4bn (\u00a317.5bn) into generative AI start-up firms and that was just to the end of September.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n For comparison, in the whole of 2022, just $5.1bn was invested.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n But some are warning that we should not get too carried away. Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, says generative AI will have a “cold shower” in 2024. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “The hype has ignored, we think, a few obstacles that are just going to slow it down a bit in the short term,” he says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n He points out that it’s very expensive to develop and run a generative AI system. It requires a lot of computing power and expensive computer chips that are in short supply.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n To mitigate those costs he predicts that some AI will move to a hybrid systems, where some of the processing is done locally – on your laptop or phone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Mr Wood also says that regulation and legal battles might cool off the current mania for generative AI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “Firms could find they end up in a situation where they invest loads of money in an AI powered service, and then have to roll some of it back to be compliant with the regulation.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/span><\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n In the first quarter of next year the one millionth all-electric car will set-off on UK roads, according to Schmidt Automotive Research. That will make the UK the second market, after Germany to reach that landmark.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Despite that, 2024 is expected to be another tough year for the makers of electric vehicle (EVs).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Late in 2023, Ford, GM and Tesla all paused plans to expand their production of electric vehicles. In October, Mercedes-Benz described the market for electric vehicles as “brutal”, blaming a price war and supply chain issues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Analysts don’t expect the situation to get much easier.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Matthias Schmidt, an auto market analyst, forecasts a stagnant year for EV sales across Europe in 2024. In traditionally strong markets like Germany and Norway he sees almost no growth at all. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n However, the UK could be one bright spot due to the introduction of the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate. From January, just over a fifth of vehicles sold must be electric, with the target expected to hit 80% by 2030.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n All this could be great news for anyone with the money to buy an EV.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “It will be a total buyer’s market especially when it comes to electric cars as manufacturers rush to meet ZEV mandate targets,” says Mr Schmidt.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “The cuts will be hidden though, through financing deals and higher trim levels at no extra costs – as manufacturers will be hesitant in being too overt about price cuts,” he adds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Sam](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/33EE\/production\/_132049231_gettyimages-1778705443.jpg.webp)
<\/picture><\/div>\nElectric shock<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/picture><\/div>\nHumanoid robots<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n