Core Insights - The article discusses the current state of the AI industry, highlighting areas dominated by major players and identifying potential opportunities for new entrants in less competitive fields [2][16]. Group 1: Established "Dead Zones" - Three key areas are identified as having no entry points for new players: foundational models, AI-assisted programming, and customer support [3]. - In foundational models, six major companies dominate: Google, Anthropic, OpenAI, xAI, Meta, and Mistral, creating a significant barrier to entry due to high costs and established ecosystems [4]. - The AI programming sector is led by Anthropic's Claude Code and OpenAI's Codex, which together control over 60% of the market, making it difficult for smaller players to compete [5]. - The customer support AI market is characterized by a mix of professional and large-scale players, with established companies like Salesforce and HubSpot offering AI modules for free, further squeezing independent AI firms [6]. Group 2: Emerging "Hope Zones" - Four areas are identified as having potential for growth: financial technology, accounting, AI security, and physical intelligence [7]. - In financial technology, opportunities exist in anti-fraud systems and credit modeling for small and medium enterprises, leveraging alternative data sources [9][10]. - The accounting sector is undergoing a transformation, with a need for comprehensive AI solutions that can handle complex tasks, presenting opportunities for specialized firms [11][12]. - AI security is becoming increasingly critical, with a projected loss of over $50 billion in 2024 due to AI vulnerabilities, creating demand for proactive solutions [13]. - Physical intelligence, which integrates AI with real-world applications, is seen as a new frontier, with potential in robotics and drug development [14][15]. Conclusion - The article emphasizes the importance of finding niches within the AI landscape where smaller companies can thrive, rather than attempting to compete directly with established giants [16].