Is AI just a passing trend?

Artificial intelligence is rapidly gaining attention worldwide—but is it just hype? This article examines historical context, real-world data, and expert perspectives to explain why AI is not a passing trend, but a long-term technological shift.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has exploded in popularity recently, thanks to tools like ChatGPT and other generative models. But is this interest just a fad, or something deeper? In fact, decades of history and today's data suggest AI is far from a short-lived craze.

AI research dates back to the 1950s – the term "Artificial Intelligence" was coined in 1955 – and since then the field has survived multiple "AI winters" (periods of disillusionment) followed by new breakthroughs. Each cycle laid groundwork for the next wave (for example, neural networks and deep learning reignited AI in the 2010s). This long history shows AI innovations take time to mature, rather than simply vanishing after hype.

Table of Contents

1. Adoption is Accelerating Globally
2. Most Organizations Are Just Beginning
3. Global Adoption Patterns
- 3.1. Advanced Economies
- 3.2. Developing Economies
4. Why AI Is Here to Stay
5. Addressing the Skepticism
6. Conclusion

Adoption is Accelerating Globally

When we look at real-world usage today, AI's staying power is clear. The numbers tell a compelling story:

Business Adoption

78% of organizations reported using AI in 2024 (up from 55% in 2023)

Personal Use

57% of Americans used AI tools for personal tasks

Global Users

16–17% of people (about one in six) use generative AI tools

Data sources: U.S. Census Bureau and Stanford's AI Index for business use; Microsoft's AI Economy Institute for global user rates; Brookings/NORC poll for personal use statistics.

In short, adoption is accelerating, not fading.

Most Organizations Are Just Beginning

Industry data reveals that companies are still in the early stages of AI integration:

Figure - Survey of organizational AI maturity – only 2.6 have fully institutionalized AI while 56 are still exploring or experimenting

Organizational AI maturity levels showing early-stage adoption across most companies

Fully Institutionalized AI 2.6%

Exploring AI 33%

Experimenting with AI 23%

This distribution suggests mainstream adoption is ramping up – there's plenty of room to grow – rather than receding. Companies are still increasing their AI investments, too. In fact, Gartner reports that organizations spent an average of $1.9 million on generative AI projects in 2024, underscoring serious long-term commitment.

Global Adoption Patterns

AI adoption is happening worldwide, though at different rates depending on regional development:

Figure - Global AI adoption (H2 2025) – 24.7 of people in developed countries (North) vs 14.1 in developing (South) now use generative AI

Global generative AI adoption rates by region showing higher usage in developed economies

Global North

Advanced Economies

24.7% of working-age people use generative AI
Up from ~15% a year earlier
Fastest adoption rates globally

Global South

Developing Economies

14.1% of working-age people use generative AI
Growing trend despite lower baseline
Catching up as access improves

Even where usage is lower, the trend is upward – the share of global AI users rose from ~15.1% to 16.3% in just six months. Such statistics highlight broad and growing interest, not a dying fad.

Why AI Is Here to Stay

Key reasons AI seems poised to remain a permanent part of our technological landscape:

Deep Historical Roots

AI's foundations go back decades. Researchers in the 1950s and 60s already dreamed of intelligent machines. Today's advances build on that legacy, from early neural-net experiments to modern deep learning.

Rapid Business Adoption

Nearly 8 in 10 businesses now use AI, and 1 in 6 people worldwide use generative AI. Most companies are still testing AI in pilots, not abandoning it.

Embedded in Daily Life

AI tools are embedded in everyday technology – from smartphone assistants and recommendation systems to smart home devices – and they boost productivity in health care, finance, manufacturing and more.

Expert Consensus

Leaders and institutions stress AI's permanence. The World Economic Forum declares "AI is here to stay" and the U.S. government's 2025 AI strategy calls it "an essential tool, profoundly shaping how Americans consume information".

AI is not a passing fad. AI is a long-term enabler, not a passing trend.
— University of Washington AI Architect & Industry Analysis

Addressing the Skepticism

Some observers urge caution, noting that hype must be tempered by reality. It's true that AI went through cycles of inflated expectations and disillusionment. Gartner's latest analysis already marks generative AI as entering a "trough of disillusionment" as companies learn its limits.

Important context: Even this phase hasn't slowed investment – companies are plowing millions into improving AI systems, suggesting confidence in long-term value.

Critically, early skepticism about AI's utility has often proven premature. For example, news reports once declared the internet a fad, yet it transformed society. Similarly, skeptics' claims that "AI will never work" overlook the millions of users and businesses already seeing benefits.

Strategic consideration: Dismissing AI risks leaving organizations behind. One higher-education columnist warns that treating AI as a mere novelty means "risk[ing] being left behind" in a rapidly changing world.

Conclusion

The evidence strongly indicates that AI is not just a passing trend. It has:

Deep academic and industrial roots spanning decades
Explosive recent growth, especially with generative AI
Broad support from experts and policymakers
Rapid adoption across businesses and consumer markets
Practical applications delivering measurable value

Today's businesses and institutions are betting on AI's future – investing resources and building strategies around it – because they see it as the next major wave of innovation. While the hype bubble may fluctuate, the underlying technology and adoption continue to grow.