Skip to content

Technology Hype Cycle Infographic

<iframe src="https://dmccreary.github.io/tracking-ai-course/sims/hype-cycle/main.html"  height="470px" scrolling="no"
  style="overflow: hidden;"></iframe>

Run the Technology Hype Cycle Infographic

Edit the Technology Hype Cycle Infographic

MicroSim Prompt Please create an infographic that describes technology hype-cycles. Draw the curve using p5.js and follow the guidelines for other infographics where when you hover over a region an infobox describes that region. The history of AI is marked by cycles of extraordinary hype followed by periods of disillusionment when promised capabilities fail to materialize. Understanding past failures helps us assess whether we might be heading toward another "AI winter" in 2025.

The user wants a p5.js infographic to showcase the Gartner technology hype-cycle. The infographic needs the classic curve: technology trigger, peak of inflated expectations, trough of disillusionment, slope of enlightenment, and plateau of productivity. They want interactive hover information on each region and to follow the guidelines in the "standard-rules.md", including a responsive layout and hover functions. I'll write up the entire p5.js sketch code with the necessary functions—like setup(), draw(), and windowResized(). It needs to be fully operational in p5.js editor.

I’ll follow the structure of previous MicroSims like ai-causes.js and book-gen-workflow.js, focusing on the drawing area and an interactive hover feature without controls. I'll define regions with labels and descriptions for each part of the hype-cycle curve. To detect hover, I'll check if the mouse is within the defined X-range of each phase. By dividing the X-axis into 5 segments and using simple checks, the region description will appear when hovering. I'll draw the hype-cycle curve with vertices or bezier points for smooth transitions between phases.

For the hype-cycle curve, I'll set positions for key points like the peak, trough, slope, and plateau, adjusting them relative to the canvas. I'll use the curveVertex method to smoothly connect these points, drawing a cubic Bezier for each segment. Each region will be defined by the X-range of the curve, and when the mouse hovers over a segment, the corresponding description will appear. The description area will be placed within the control area, and a semi-transparent rectangle will highlight the hovered region. I'll use checkHover to determine which region is being hovered over.

Self-Assessment Quiz

Test your understanding of the Technology Hype Cycle.

Question 1: What does the "Peak of Inflated Expectations" represent in the Hype Cycle?

  1. The point when a technology becomes mature
  2. Maximum unrealistic enthusiasm before limitations become apparent
  3. The lowest point of technology adoption
  4. When the technology is forgotten
Answer

B) Maximum unrealistic enthusiasm before limitations become apparent - At this peak, expectations exceed what the technology can actually deliver, often fueled by media hype and early success stories that may not scale.

Question 2: What characterizes the "Trough of Disillusionment"?

  1. Technology adoption accelerates rapidly
  2. Interest wanes as the technology fails to meet inflated expectations
  3. The technology achieves mainstream success
  4. A new technology is invented
Answer

B) Interest wanes as the technology fails to meet inflated expectations - After initial hype, failures and limitations become apparent, leading to disappointment and reduced investment.

Question 3: At which phase does a technology typically achieve sustainable adoption?

  1. Technology Trigger
  2. Peak of Inflated Expectations
  3. Plateau of Productivity
  4. Trough of Disillusionment
Answer

C) Plateau of Productivity - The Plateau represents the stage where mainstream adoption grows, clear benefits are understood, and the technology becomes a stable part of business operations.

Question 4: How can understanding the Hype Cycle help organizational AI strategy?

  1. It helps time investments and set realistic expectations for AI technologies
  2. It guarantees investment success
  3. It eliminates all risk from technology decisions
  4. It only applies to consumer products
Answer

A) It helps time investments and set realistic expectations for AI technologies - Understanding where AI capabilities sit on the hype cycle helps organizations avoid overinvesting during peak hype or abandoning valuable technologies during the trough.

Question 5: What does the "Slope of Enlightenment" represent?

  1. A steep decline in technology interest
  2. Growing understanding of practical applications and benefits as the technology matures
  3. The initial technology breakthrough
  4. Complete market saturation
Answer

B) Growing understanding of practical applications and benefits as the technology matures - The Slope of Enlightenment represents the period where realistic use cases emerge, best practices develop, and the technology's true value becomes clear.