Introducing the 2024 Blokhaus Guide to Emerging Tech — reflecting on the whirlwind that was 2023 and what it means for the year ahead.
I've spent these last weeks of January reflecting on a year that felt like decades of innovation compressed into twelve months. Peering into the crystal ball to predict what's next is always daunting — but that's exactly what we try to do with the Blokhaus Guide to Emerging Tech, a report that has become an annual tradition.
AI's explosive year
2023 saw a phenomenal surge in AI technologies, driven by breakthroughs from MidJourney, OpenAI, and ElevenLabs. This rapid evolution sparked the concept of e/acc — effective accelerationism — with advocates like Marc Andreessen viewing technological progression as a direct catalyst for human well-being. ChatGPT reaching 100 million users at record speed underscored both the sector's potential and humanity's appetite for these tools.
Yet the pace of AI's growth has also raised concerns around the ethical and existential implications of approaching Artificial General Intelligence. AI has already demonstrated its capacity to inspire, from generating art through simple prompts to helping revive music from legendary bands. It seems ready to launch the age of the polymath — where any individual can become proficient in nearly any field.
Blockchain's starkly different journey
While AI surged, blockchain's 2023 was marked by prolonged stagnation following significant 2022 setbacks. Many projects dissolved or restructured internally. Yet this challenging period also strengthened the sector, paving the way for a more mature and robust category. High-profile institutional moves — like BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF filing — signal that maturation, even amid residual turbulence from Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao's resignation late in the year.
As 2024 gets underway, a stronger blockchain category appears poised for resurgence. Its resilience and necessity are becoming more evident than ever, especially in an age of infinite AI-generated fungibility.
The role of human judgment
Looking ahead, as AI floods the market with content and capabilities, the role of human tastemakers becomes ever more critical. These are the arbiters of quality in a sea of AI-generated output — ensuring that end products genuinely resonate with their human audience. In this rapidly evolving landscape, discernment and expertise will be more valuable than ever.
We hope this year's Blokhaus Guide to Emerging Tech sparks valuable conversation as you look toward the year ahead. Let us know what you think, and don't hesitate to reach out.
