ai and ml

Five-year review charts upheaval in work, science, and public life – with little consensus on who's in control

Twelve years into Stanford's 100-year study of artificial intelligence, the project's third report raises more questions than it answers.

The 2026 AI100 Study Panel report acknowledges its limitations in its twelfth takeaway: "This report will be out of date by the time you read it."

But it's nonetheless a worthwhile exercise for those who haven't been paying close attention to the development of machine learning over the past few years and for policymakers who may benefit from a review of AI's metastatic growth.

"The last five years constitute a watershed moment in the history of AI," said Professor Sheila McIlraith, chair of the AI100 Standing Committee, in a statement. " This report examines what led to the extraordinary capabilities of today's AI systems, and how they are reshaping society.…