Dotcom Era vs. AI Boom: Reflecting on the 25th Anniversary of the Dotcom Peak

March 11, 2025

The Significance of March 10, 2000

This Monday, March 10, 2025 marked a significant milestone in financial history — the 25th anniversary of what many consider the peak of “irrational exuberance” during the Dotcom era.

On March 10, 2000, the NASDAQ Composite Index reached its zenith before beginning a precipitous decline that would erase trillions in market value over the following years.

This era was characterized by immense optimism and speculation around internet-based companies. As we reflect on this period, it’s intriguing to draw parallels with today’s AI boom, centered around Large Language Models (LLMs), Agents, Agentic AI, and the pursuit of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).

Similarities Between the Dotcom Bubble and the AI Boom

Investor Enthusiasm

Both eras have seen extraordinary investor interest, often leading to overvaluation. Just as companies added “.com” to their names to attract funding in the late 1990s, today’s firms quickly emphasize their “AI-powered” capabilities to excite investors. The mere association with the trending technology can significantly…