The venture capital world has witnessed countless technological disruptions over the decades, but few have arrived with the speed and scope of generative artificial intelligence. In the three years since ChatGPT’s launch, gen AI has fundamentally altered how startups are conceived, pitched, built, and funded. According to a report from Stanford, global private AI investment reached a record high of $252.3 billion in 2024, with generative AI funding soaring to $33.9 billion—more than eight times higher than 2022 levels.