In 2023, the use of artificial intelligence became commonplace in society. However, despite its growing popularity, our understanding and usage of such technology to fulfill science fiction dreams of human-like robots remains primitive. A major stimulant for the general fascination towards AI was the chatbot, ChatGPT.

This groundbreaking AI invention offered glimpses into the latest advances in computer science. However, not everyone fully understood exactly how it operates or the best way to utilize it. AI scientist Fei-Fei Li defined this period as a turning point, predicting that 2023 would be historically recognized for the substantial evolution of technology.

The initial wave of anxiety around AI manifested shortly after the New Year, when schools from Seattle to Paris began barring the use of ChatGPT. Released in late 2022, ChatGPT was soon exploited by teenagers to write essays and answer homework questions. However, its use was not without controversy- it often provided incorrect information.

Despite this, its outputs were highly sophisticated, sparking curiosity about the potential benefits and hazards of this evolving technology. Concerns grew as the new slew of AI tools, which generated novel content in various forms, threatened the livelihoods of creative and technical professionals alike.

By the latter half of the year, AI crises arose centered around OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, who were in the throes of corporate unrest. In Belgium, European Union political leaders emerged from lengthy negotiations with finalized plans for the first major AI legal safeguards. These laws are not due to be fully effective for a few years, and other legislating bodies, including the U.S. Congress, are nowhere near creating their own regulations.

Business AI products launched in 2023 included technological achievements that were previously impossible. However, according to market research firm Gartner, the recent surge in generative AI is currently at its 'peak hype. Gartner equates this situation to a rollercoaster at its highest point, poised to plummet into a 'trough of disillusionment' before stabilizing.

It's worth noting that this isn't the first wave of AI being commercialized. Techniques such as Computer vision, developed by Li and others, facilitated the recognition of objects and faces. These innovations also guided the development of autonomously-driven cars. However, the current wave of AI technology presents new opportunities and potential hazards, including the increasing difficulty in discerning real content from AI-generated misinformation during future political campaigns.