Some might argue otherwise, but many Big Tech executives insist that the world is in the middle of a race for AI dominance.

Comments about that race from Nvidia's chief executive Jensen Huang recently reverberated like a clap of thunder.

He said China was within "nanoseconds" of catching up with the US in AI innovation.

Economists and tech analysts around the world are debating exactly what that means but it's important to point out that for billions around the world, an AI race is the last thing on their mind.

As we discuss later in this newsletter, there's a chasm growing between those who eat, sleep and breathe AI, and everyone else.

The big story

AI, Mamdani and a seismic shift

In brief | It's often the case that advancement in technology causes seismic shifts that are obvious only in hindsight.

With the election of Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, some are speculating that technology, particularly advancements in AI and concerns about layoffs from AI, helped to fuel his rise to popularity.

All AI aspects aside, however, others took note of Mr Mamdani's prolific and effective use of social media, which they said prompted New York City to elect its first Muslim mayor.

Why it matters | With regard to the topic of AI, it's not out of the realm of possibility that a growing number of citizens, blue collar, white collar and even those in executive roles are quietly becoming concerned with reports of companies cutting back across the board, in part because of increased efficiency from AI.

Make no mistake, there are plenty of people who rightfully point out the many benefits of the burgeoning AI sector, but as with any new development, there's the potential for disruption to first cause uneasiness felt throughout several demographics.

That vulnerability in the minds of so many makes for an environment where social safety net programmes are particularly appealing.

It's safe to say we're living in that moment right now, though Mr Mamdani's use of social also helped him win the mayoral race.

Quoted | "Elected officials will have to play catch-up, as those fearing AI's impact on jobs and employment will begin to call for more restrictions and new policies to support those individuals who lose their jobs."

- Timothy Kneeland, professor of history, politics and law at Nazareth University in upstate New York

Future in focus

• Chip on your shoulder | How the UAE secured Nvidia GPUs and what it means for regional AI aspirations

• Major players | Palantir's vice president says new joint venture with Dubai Holding is 'part of AI arms race'

• Mining the store | Everything you need to know about Du's new cryptocurrency mining service

• Underwater woes | Is Red Sea cable sabotage a sign of next maritime security frontier?

Predicting the future: Signal or noise?

REMspace, a neurotechnology company claims to have achieved what would be far-fetched even for science fiction writers, the ability to transmit a word from one person’s dream into another’s while both are asleep.

This is noise: Look, I'm the first to admit that I've completely misread the appeal of certain technology developments. Back in high school, I initially didn't think the iPod was very practical. The self-balancing Segway scooter, I thought, was going to make the car obsolete.

All of my incorrect assessments of the consumer marketplace aside, however, I'm relatively confident that the idea of transmitting a message to someone else while asleep has limited appeal. Don't get me wrong, the idea is fascinating, but I'll sleep well at night with my hot take that this has limited appeal.

In case you missed it

• Wikipedia responds to Grokipedia and Elon Musk's allegations of bias

• Opinion: AI chatbots aren't just cramping your writing style – they're destroying it

• TikTok deal: US says it's finalised, while China promises to ‘properly resolve’ issue

• Power is knowledge: How AI is rewriting the energy equation

• Head of All3Media on the future of TV, streaming and content

• Meta releases WhatsApp app for Apple Watch

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