Lifelike digital avatars. Real-time notetaking. And management of inventories as well as employees’ skills and talents. We’re only halfway through 2021, but the current crop of hot startups dedicated to artificial intelligence shows how far AI has come in accessibility and use in the workplace and the field. And these startups prove that unlocking innovations in AI isn’t a goal reserved for the largest tech giants.

CRN has collected 10 of the hottest AI startups that use their technology to automate tasks in the office and improve interactions with employees and customers. While tech giants including IBM, Microsoft and Palo Alto Networks spend millions to develop AI offerings and acquire companies to boost their portfolios — there appears to be plenty of venture capital and innovative work happening among startups.

As CRN found, innovative work is happening not just in familiar startup ecosystems like Silicon Valley and Tel Aviv, but also in the suburbs of Detroit.

Market research firm IDC puts worldwide revenues for AI software, hardware and services at $327.5 billion in 2021, a growth of 16.4 percent year over year, according to a statement in February. By 2024, the market should break $500 billion.

Read on to learn more about the hottest AI startups of 2021 so far.

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