Artificial intelligence is no longer a glimpse of the distant future—it is the fabric of daily life, from the cars listeners drive to the way they learn, work, and connect. As of mid-October 2025, the AI revolution is reshaping global society at a pace that is both exhilarating and, for many, a source of growing apprehension. According to a recent Pew Research Center study, most adults across 25 countries are deeply aware of AI, but feelings are mixed: a median of 34% say they are more concerned than excited, 42% are equally concerned and excited, and just 16% are mainly excited. In countries like the United States, Italy, Australia, Brazil, and Greece, about half of adults express more worry than enthusiasm. Yet in South Korea, only 16% are primarily concerned, highlighting starkly different cultural attitudes. The survey also found that people in wealthier nations tend to be much more aware of AI—nearly half in Japan, Germany, France, and the US report having heard a lot about it, compared to only 14% in India and 12% in Kenya.

The AI story for 2025 is not just one of rapid technological advancement, but also of widening gaps in readiness and literacy. The World Economic Forum notes that AI literacy is emerging as the new global divide, with nations like China racing ahead by integrating AI fluency into early education, while others, such as the United States, progress unevenly without a national standard. Finland is lauded for a participatory approach, South Korea has slowed after early momentum, and Canada is experimenting with pilots but lacks a unified strategy. The Forum argues that without clear ways to measure and develop AI literacy, countries risk deepening inequality, both within and between societies. Those falling behind may face a talent exodus, as their brightest minds migrate to nations offering AI-driven opportunities. ETS, the global testing and assessment organization, reports that 65% of its staff worldwide have already reached AI literacy proficiency through targeted programs, and over 1,100 employees across 17 countries have participated—a promising case study for what’s possible with intentional investment.

Industry is not waiting for workers or policy to catch up. According to KPMG’s 2025 CEO Outlook, 71% of global CEOs now rank AI as a top investment priority, up from 52% just a year ago, with 69% planning to allocate 10–20% of their innovation budgets to AI initiatives. The demand for AI-related skills is mushrooming, with machine learning engineers, data scientists, and AI ethics specialists among the most sought-after roles, according to Coursera. Meanwhile, TSMC’s advanced packaging processes are struggling to keep pace with global demand for AI chips, highlighting how hardware, too, is a limiting factor in the AI race.

AI’s real-world impact is already tangible in everyday life. GM’s chief product officer, Sterling Anderson, recently told Fortune that AI is transforming cars into intelligent companions that can perceive, predict, learn, and adapt in real time. Software development is being revolutionized by AI-powered tools, as noted by Coaio, with startups driving innovations from aviation to music streaming. Even traditional productivity tools, like those mentioned by JavaScript in Plain English, are being supercharged by AI, automating tasks from coding to scheduling and drastically reshaping how people work.

Listeners may wonder what this all means for their own lives. The answer is complex, but a key takeaway is this: AI is not just a technical phenomenon, but a human one. The ability to understand, use, and shape AI will determine not just career prospects, but the quality of civic and economic life in the coming decades. Nations that act now to foster AI literacy—blending technical, critical thinking, and adaptability skills—stand to gain the most.

As listeners experience these transformations, it is worth reflecting on both the...