In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries, creating new business models, and redefining how value is captured. The question of who captures value in an AI world is essential for understanding how various stakeholders — developers, investors, companies, and consumers — stand to benefit from this sweeping change. As AI becomes more deeply integrated into business operations across sectors, it’s critical to recognize how AI drives innovation and how vertical AI, a more focused and tailored application of AI, is shaping the future of value creation.

Artificial intelligence is transforming global industries through innovation and real-world applications. TIME’s cover story, “100 Most Influential People in AI” features leaders like Sundar Pichai, Sam Altman, Satya Nadella, and Demis Hassabis, shaping AI’s future through innovation and ethical considerations. CNBC’s 2024 Disruptor 50 list highlights startups leveraging AI to revolutionize industries like healthcare, logistics, and finance. Together, AI leaders and startups are driving innovation and practical transformation.

The central concept of “Who Captures Value In An AI World?” focuses on the rise of vertical AI, where AI solutions are specifically tailored to address the needs of distinct industries. In the early stages of AI, most developments centered around general-purpose AI, designed to solve various problems across sectors. However, as AI has evolved, the limitations of general-purpose AI in addressing specific, complex challenges have become evident. This has given rise to vertical AI, purpose-built to meet the needs of particular industries, such as healthcare, finance, or customer service. Vertical AI offers deeper customization and greater efficiency, making it increasingly seen as the future of AI transformation.
This shift toward industry-specific AI is not merely an extension of AI’s broader capabilities but a fundamental change in how AI is applied to solve specialized problems. By focusing on unique use cases, vertical AI unlocks new opportunities for businesses and creates more targeted value. According to BVP’s analysis, vertical AI is driven by the development of LLM-native applications (Large Language Model-native), which incorporate advanced AI technologies like natural language processing and machine learning to create solutions that were previously out of reach for traditional Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms.

In this evolving AI landscape, AI developers and startups capture significant value by creating innovative solutions tailored to specific industry needs. Companies like Bland.ai exemplify how vertical AI can meet highly specialized demands. Bland.ai offers a customizable AI-powered phone agent that can handle millions of calls, operate in multiple languages, and mimic human conversation. Unlike general-purpose AI, Bland.ai’s vertical approach is designed to meet the operational challenges faced by businesses in sectors like customer service. Startups like Bland.ai capture value by filling gaps that general-purpose AI cannot, addressing the growing demand for AI-driven efficiencies and automation. Learn more about Bland.ai’s innovative solution here.

Investors play a key role in capturing value in the AI world by backing AI-native startups that are pioneering vertical AI solutions. The $22M Series A funding received by Bland.ai demonstrates investor confidence in the future of specialized AI applications. By identifying and investing in vertical AI companies early, investors are positioned to benefit from the growth and scalability of these startups. As vertical AI continues to expand, this focus on industry-specific applications represents an attractive opportunity for investors, allowing them to capture substantial financial returns from this broader AI transformation.

Enterprise clients are another group capturing value by adopting vertical AI solutions to enhance efficiency, reduce operational costs, and improve service delivery. As noted in BVP’s vertical AI analysis, vertical AI provides deep customization that enables businesses to solve unique industry challenges. Whether it’s healthcare providers improving patient care or financial firms detecting fraud, these specialized AI tools offer enterprises a competitive edge. By adopting solutions like Bland.ai’s phone agent, businesses gain operational efficiencies and open up new revenue streams, capturing substantial value from AI integration.

Finally, end consumers benefit indirectly from the adoption of AI-powered solutions. As companies implement vertical AI technologies, consumers experience faster, more personalized services and enjoy greater convenience. Whether through enhanced customer support or more tailored products, vertical AI enables businesses to deliver improved experiences. Consumers, in turn, capture value by receiving higher-quality services and more personalized interactions, all powered by the efficiencies that vertical AI brings.

The shift from general-purpose to vertical AI represents a key development in the broader AI transformation that is reshaping industries and redefining how value is captured. AI developers and startups like Bland.ai are leading this charge, providing specialized solutions that address industry-specific challenges. Investors are capturing value by backing these innovative startups, and enterprise clients are reaping the benefits of improved efficiency and operational gains through AI adoption. End consumers ultimately enjoy better services and experiences driven by AI advancements.

Looking ahead, vertical AI is poised to play an even more central role in the ongoing transformation of industries. As AI continues to evolve, the trend toward greater customization and specialization will likely accelerate, opening new doors for value creation across sectors. Shortly, we can expect vertical AI to further integrate into critical industries, expanding its impact and unlocking new growth opportunities. As more stakeholders recognize the potential of vertical AI, the ability to capture value in an AI-driven world will become increasingly essential, setting the stage for a future where AI is a fundamental driver of economic and technological progress.

For more, visit TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI and CNBC’s 2024 Disruptor 50 list..