Image courtesy own creation via Alex Pawlowski

AI as Infrastructure: Why the Next Unicorns Will Be Built on Invisible Intelligence

Andrew Ng famously likened AI to electricity — a general-purpose technology that transforms every industry it touches. Just as electricity became a foundational layer for modern society, AI is now embedding itself into the core infrastructure of our digital world. This shift means AI is no longer just a product feature; it’s becoming the unseen engine driving innovation across sectors.​

Startup Models: Building on Top vs. Building Underneath

Startups are reimagining their models to align with AI’s infrastructural role.​

• Infrastructure Providers: Companies like CoreWeave have rapidly scaled to meet the demand for AI computing power. With a valuation of $19 billion and 32 data centers housing 250,000 GPUs, CoreWeave exemplifies how providing the “pipes” for AI can be a lucrative business. ​
• Platform Builders: Startups such as Windsurf (formerly Codeium) are creating platforms that enable developers to integrate AI seamlessly. Windsurf’s strategy of regularly reinventing its product has attracted over $200 million in funding and a valuation of $1.25 billion.
• Application Innovators: Companies like Duolingo are embedding AI into their applications, automating content…