1 week Ago By Marty Sprinzen, Forbes Councils Member
Marty Sprinzen, Vantiq cofounder & CEO, is a visionary in real-time intelligence, AI & systems. Previously, he cofounded Forte ($1B exit). AI is no longer an emerging trend; it has become the defining force behind economic resilience, national security and global competitiveness.
Across industries, many businesses and governments aren't debating whether they need AI; they're racing to deploy it before they get left behind. Goldman Sachs projected that by the end of 2025, global AI investments would approach $200 billion . Adding to that is the U.
S. government's recent commitment of hundreds of billions more through major AI infrastructure and innovation projects, including the Stargate Project . Meanwhile, France is rapidly emerging as a global AI hub after a February 2025 announcement signaling significant investments in AI projects, likely attracting major investments and fostering innovation at the highest levels.
This new pace of change is relentless. What once took decades now happens in months. Look at the headlines from the first quarter of 2025 alone, and you'll see that the AI sector witnessed major breakthroughs that are reshaping the competitive landscape in real time.
DeepSeek launched a 671-billion-parameter open-source model , claiming it will slash the cost of cutting-edge AI. Alibaba quickly followed with its own large-scale AI system, intensifying competition like the markets have never seen. Meanwhile, the Stargate Project is redefining AI infrastructure in the U.
S., proving that scalable, real-time AI applications aren't optional—they're imperative. This means that while much of the world is still navigating how to harness AI's full potential, nations like France , Japan , Saudi Arabia and now the U.
S. are rightfully embedding real-time AI into their economies, infrastructure and industries at scale. These moves aren't just about competitive advantage; they're about economic survival.
Net-net here is that the U.S. has a very real opportunity to lead—but only if it moves fast enough to embrace intelligence at the speed of reality.
Natural disasters like wildfires, flooding and hurricanes are becoming more prevalent in the U.S., destroying infrastructure or causing regular failures.
These events are more costly and more destructive than ever to clean up. Billions of dollars are lost, supply chains are disrupted, and entire communities are shattered. This doesn't even count the generational emotional impact and long-term consequences, which are far harder to heal than physical damage.
We, as a society, must act now. We can't wait if we're going to outpace the next disaster. GenAI-powered satellite imagery and real-time environmental monitoring could have identified early warning signs of wildfires, triggering faster evacuations and more targeted firefighting efforts.
AI-driven energy forecasting and automated grid balancing could have prevented power outages and grid failures during deep freezes that left millions in the cold. AI-powered supply chain intelligence could have ensured emergency supplies, medical aid and fuel arrived before powerful hurricanes hit rather than causing a post-disaster scramble. This technology exists today and has proved to be effective during emergency and high-pressure events .
The real question is: Why aren't we deploying it at scale before that next crisis unfolds? This isn't solely about natural disasters or government response. How GenAI is applied to crisis management, infrastructure and security now directly impacts every major industry. The world is moving fast, and U.
S. businesses and policymakers must move with it. American companies are already collaborating with Japan , Saudi Arabia and Ukraine to deploy some of the most advanced AI-driven infrastructure on the planet.
These nations are investing aggressively in real-time AI to stabilize energy grids, fortify infrastructure holistically and create disaster-resilient cities. U.S.
businesses and government leaders need to prioritize GenAI adoption. Every CEO, public official and policymaker should be asking one question: Are we using the best AI-driven technology to protect our people, our businesses and our infrastructure? If the answer is anything but an unequivocal yes, the U.S.
risks falling behind not just in business and innovation but in its ability to compete, protect and lead globally. Disasters aren’t just physical. The threats to national security, infrastructure and public safety are evolving faster than traditional systems can keep up.
Legacy power grids, water systems and emergency response networks are no longer theoretical. They're happening right now. By applying real-time intelligence, we are extending a human's ability to act intelligently—enhancing decision making, optimizing response times and ensuring critical systems operate at their highest potential.
AI isn't replacing human expertise; it's amplifying it, making communities more resilient and prepared for the challenges of today and the uncertainties of tomorrow. For too long, AI and GenAI have been framed as a future investment—something to plan for someday. That road has run out.
GenAI is no longer a strategic advantage; it's the defining technology that will determine how well we handle the next major disaster. The choice is clear—deploy GenAI now or scramble to recover later. There's no middle ground.
America's ability to lead, compete and protect its people depends on intelligence at the speed of reality. The future won't wait, and frankly, neither should we. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives.
Do I qualify?.
