Today marks one year since the Executive Order on AI oversight, an essential first step toward ensuring that artificial intelligence (AI) serves the public safely and responsibly.
In just a few weeks, we’ll mark another significant AI milestone: the two-year anniversary of ChatGPT’s launch. When ChatGPT introduced itself to the world, it became AI’s first major consumer product, transforming what once felt like a futuristic concept into something deeply embedded in our daily lives. Overnight, AI went from being an abstract idea to an essential tool, reshaping how we live and work.
ChatGPT’s launch was more than just a product release; it was a turning point in our relationship with AI, showing just how ready we were to integrate this technology into everyday life. Reaching one million users in just five days. A feat that took some of the most influential tech platforms months or years. This showed an unprecedented enthusiasm and readiness to adopt AI.
The chart below illustrates this accelerating pace of AI adoption, highlighting a new era where technology doesn’t just support us; it reshapes the fabric of our human experience.
I think this introduction of AI transformed not just tech, but I noticed a sort of public consciousness. Suddenly, we have everyone paying attention to AIs, which by the way were there before - but when we now have it as a consumer product, we are all now participants in this major technological revolution. And what this means to me is that now we are all responsible for any privacy, ethics, and safety considerations.
In addition, in this “First AI election year,” the role of AI regulation is more relevant than ever. With so many AI-driven tools embedded in daily life, oversight isn’t just a top-down necessity. It’s a framework that needs to grow from the bottom up, involving communities, companies, and individuals.
When ChatGPT introduced AI to everyday users, it made us all stakeholders in this conversation. Now, the work of setting standards for AI safety, ensuring privacy, and promoting inclusivity can’t simply be assigned to a regulatory body - our government. Now it’s a shared responsibility, where input from individuals and industry will be essential in building an AI-driven future that’s as safe and fair as it is innovative.
It’s undeniable that AI’s potential is limitless. But every innovation needs a foundation of trust, security, and public benefit. Moving forward, we’re at a decisive moment.
As we reflect on a year of foundational steps, let’s also look ahead with a renewed commitment to responsible AI.
🎉Happy Anniversary, AI Executive Order! And here’s to the many more AI milestones.
