ChatGPT was the catalyst for a year that took artificial intelligence mainstream. For AI, 2023 was a long time coming. Still, the technology has a long way to go before it matches some of the world's science fiction expectations. But pioneering AI scientist Fei-Fei Li says this year was an inflection point marking profound changes in the technology, as well as the public's awakening to its possibilities and dangers. Impressive new AI tools forced quick thinking from people around the world — from classroom teachers to policymakers looking to guard democracies from AI-fueled misinformation.