AI in 2025: The Multimodal Revolution

Published: May 2025 | Author: Nkosinathi Ngcobo

Image: Google Gemini's multimodal interface combining text, images, and voice (Source: Google AI)

What Is Multimodal AI?

Multimodal AI combines different forms of input—text, images, audio, and video—into a single model. Instead of just typing a prompt, you can upload a photo, speak a command, or generate video clips from text. These systems see, hear, and understand the world more like humans.

Key Platforms Leading the Multimodal Wave

• GPT-4 with Vision – Understands images and screenshots, ideal for solving visual problems.
• Google Gemini – Multimodal from day one; understands voice, vision, and documents.
• Midjourney – Text-to-image creation with stunning realism.
• OpenAI Sora – Early 2025’s biggest leap in text-to-video generation.

How It Changes the Game

With multimodal AI, students can snap a photo of homework for step-by-step help. Designers can describe a scene and get a video. Support agents can analyze both chat logs and screenshots. This revolution frees users from typing alone.

Example: Text-to-video animation by Sora (OpenAI)

Real-World Use Cases in 2025

• Doctors use AI to analyze x-rays and explain findings in voice.
• Teachers auto-generate lesson videos from course notes.
• Marketers produce promotional video clips with just a description.
• Bloggers embed AI-generated infographics and voiceovers.

Next in the Series: Part 4 – Regulation and Trust in the Age of AI

Explore the full series on Nathi RSA Blog.