The 2024 CNBC Disruptor 50: How we chose the companies

A significant number of companies on CNBC’s Disruptor 50 list consider artificial intelligence (AI) crucial to their businesses. Out of the 50 companies, 34 claim that AI plays a critical role. These AI companies span various industries, including cybersecurity and agriculture. The use of AI is reshaping the concept of disruptive innovation, with massive capital investments required to achieve it. Public giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet have made notable investments in AI startups such as OpenAI and Anthropic. In 2023, over $90 billion flowed into AI startups, with a total of $70 billion raised by the 2024 Disruptors. The willingness of established companies to invest in these private disruptors has allowed many of them to delay going public.