Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, creating both stress and opportunity for businesses, employees, and society at large. Hod Lipson, a renowned researcher and professor of engineering and data science at Columbia University, is at the forefront of this transformation. Speaking at People Matters TechHR Singapore 2025, Lipson explored how AI is disrupting industries, reshaping the workforce, and presenting new opportunities for those who are ready to embrace it.

AI is accelerating exponentially, forcing industries to adapt. Lipson highlighted how traditional production and creative processes are undergoing seismic shifts. A striking example is Sora, an AI model capable of generating realistic videos from text descriptions. While this innovation democratizes content creation, it also challenges industries like filmmaking, advertising, and gaming by automating tasks once requiring large teams and extensive budgets.

Beyond content creation, AI is revolutionizing sectors like transportation and retail. Autonomous vehicles are now a reality, with Waymo’s self-driving taxis completing over 350,000 driverless rides per month in San Francisco—a tenfold increase in a year. AI-powered retail stores eliminate checkout lines, allowing customers to walk out with items tracked and charged automatically. These advancements signal a shift where some traditional jobs will disappear, while new roles demanding AI proficiency emerge.

The leader also highlighted AI-powered wearables that provide real-time insights, raising ethical concerns about privacy and transparency. Smart glasses, for example, can identify individuals and display relevant data instantly, creating an informational imbalance. Meanwhile, humanoid robots are advancing rapidly, with companies like Figure AI developing robots capable of complex tasks, bringing AI-driven automation closer to everyday life.

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The Exponential Growth of AI

AI’s rapid advancement follows an exponential curve—slow, incremental improvements give way to sudden breakthroughs that transform industries overnight. Key drivers include:

• Computing Power: AI performance scales with computing advancements. By 2035, processing power is expected to reach nine teraflops per dollar.

• Data-Driven Learning: AI now continuously improves through data analysis rather than relying on static, rule-based programming.

• Self-Reinforcing Growth: More data enhances AI’s capabilities, accelerating its evolution at an unprecedented rate.

AI is now a major global economic driver, with over $400 billion invested in AI in the U.S. this year alone. AI-powered companies dominate stock markets, and open-source AI projects have surpassed 101.5 million, making cutting-edge AI tools accessible worldwide. Organizations investing in AI literacy and integration will thrive, while those lagging behind risk obsolescence.

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Despite its potential, AI remains unpredictable. Lipson shared an instance where an AI system, trained to recognize bananas and water bottles, unexpectedly began tracking software developers instead. AI’s ability to find unintended patterns raises concerns about bias, security, and ethical implications. Moreover, AI models are now training each other, accelerating progress beyond human oversight.

Preparing for an AI-Driven Future

Lipson’s message was clear: Those who integrate AI into their workflows will be five times more productive than those who resist. To stay competitive:

• Invest in AI education and workforce upskilling

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• Develop proactive AI-driven strategies

• Address ethical and regulatory considerations

For individuals, the reality is simple: AI won’t replace you, but someone who knows how to use AI will.

Lipson’s insights at People Matters TechHR Singapore 2025 serve as both a wake-up call and an inspiration. AI is already shaping industries, workplaces, and daily life. While it brings uncertainty, it also unlocks unparalleled opportunities for innovation and efficiency.