The AI explosion seems to echo the frenzy we saw during the crypto boom—everyone’s talking about it, predicting how it’ll reshape the world. But while the buzz feels familiar, there’s something different about this moment. AI isn’t just another tech trend; it’s creating excitement for reasons beyond what crypto ever offered.

1 AI Has Immediate, Everyday Benefits

AI is impacting our daily lives in ways that are both immediate and useful. Need to draft an email? ChatGPT and Claude are right there. Want to brainstorm or outline a project? Gemini and Llama are at your fingertips. AI has already made itself indispensable for making routine tasks easier and for enhancing creativity and productivity.

Compare that to crypto, where the main appeal was the promise of future wealth or a potential financial revolution—if you were lucky enough to navigate the volatility. AI’s value isn’t speculative; it’s practical, and it’s something we can all tap into today.

2 AI Is More Accessible

Crypto was complicated. Between setting up wallets, remembering private keys, and navigating exchanges, it often felt like you needed to be a tech wizard just to get started. AI, by contrast, is incredibly accessible. You don’t need a deep understanding of how it works to benefit from it. If you can text a friend, you can use ChatGPT.

AI is also being integrated into the tools we use every day, like autocorrect on phones or AI-powered photo editors like Canva.

3 AI Doesn’t Require Financial Risk

One of the biggest stressors with crypto was the financial risk involved. Buying Bitcoin or Ethereum wasn’t just about using a new form of money—it was an investment that could nosedive overnight. Sure, there were enormous highs, but that uncertainty created anxiety for many and made crypto feel more like gambling than a reliable innovation.

AI doesn’t carry that same financial risk. You don’t need to spend money to benefit from AI tools. There are free AI tools for interior design, art generation, and photo editing. Some free AI tools can even help you plan your travel itinerary—all without any financial risk.

4 AI Has Fewer Scams and Pitfalls

Crypto wasn’t just risky because of the market—it was also riddled with scams, fraud, and bad actors looking to exploit the hype. From phishing schemes to fraudulent initial coin offerings (ICOs), there were countless ways to lose money in the crypto space if you weren’t careful.

The AI boom feels much safer in comparison. Sure, there are always going to be people trying to misuse any new technology, but AI’s growth isn’t nearly as scam-ridden. You don’t need to worry about getting conned just for trying out a new AI tool.

5 AI Is Changing More Than Just One Industry

Crypto had its moment in the finance world, but AI is making waves in far more sectors. From healthcare to education to entertainment, AI is reshaping industries in a big way. It’s helping doctors diagnose diseases earlier, improving student learning experiences with personalized content, and even making our Netflix recommendations eerily accurate.

Crypto was largely limited to those interested in trading, investing, or decentralizing finance. While blockchain has a lot of potential in certain areas, it doesn’t come close to the widespread influence that AI has across sectors.

6 AI Improves Over Time

Another reason I’m all in on AI is because it improves the more you use it. Machine learning models are designed to get smarter and more accurate as they process more data, which means the tools we rely on today will be even better tomorrow. The constant innovation in AI feels like progress.

Crypto, by comparison, hasn’t evolved much since its initial hype. Yes, the technology behind blockchain may have advanced. However, the main use cases for cryptocurrency—like trading and mining—haven’t transformed in a way that benefits the public as much. There are thousands of cryptocurrencies all attempting to do the same, and those that really innovate, like Monero, are stifled.

While crypto brought excitement and innovation, AI is here to stay—and not just because it’s the next big thing. Its immediate utility, accessibility, and ability to enhance creativity make it far more exciting to me than crypto ever was. With AI, we’re not just talking about the future; we’re living in it.