BLOG: Why Artificial Intelligence Is Not a Dot-Com Bubble Mark II

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Click here to see the latest blog post on Asian Chemical Connections by John Richardson.

The global economy is teetering on uncertainty—trade wars, US policy shifts, and China’s economic challenges are all fuelling concerns about a potential recession. But in times of complexity, businesses must make bold, strategic moves rather than retreat into hesitation.

One critical decision? Investing in Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Some sceptics are comparing today’s AI boom to the 1990s dot-com bubble, but this is a fundamental misunderstanding of AI’s transformative power. Unlike the internet gold rush, where speculation outpaced real-world applications, AI is already revolutionizing industries—from chemicals and manufacturing to finance and healthcare.

• Widespread AI adoption – 72% of companies have implemented AI in at least one business function
• Backed by industry giants – Microsoft, Google, and Nvidia are leading AI innovation, not unproven startups
• Real economic impact – Businesses are seeing measurable gains in efficiency, decision-making, and profitability
• Mature technological infrastructure – Cloud computing, data analytics, and machine learning have created a solid foundation for AI’s expansion

The real risk? Pulling back on AI investments. In a world of post-Chemicals Supercycle complexity, businesses that fail to leverage AI will fall behind. AI isn’t just another tech wave—it’s a paradigm shift, more transformative than even the internet itself.

Editor’s note: This blog post is an opinion piece. The views expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent those of ICIS.