The AI Hype Train: Billionaires, Geopolitics & the Gamble That Could Change Everything

Is AI the next industrial revolution—or just the biggest bubble in tech history?
In this episode of Rethinking Tech, hosts Aparna Bhushan and Harinda Katugaha break down the frenzy around artificial intelligence and why governments, billionaires, and entire nations are betting their futures on it.

We take you on a journey through the promises and perils of AI:

• How AI is reshaping society while fueling addiction and inequality

• The role of billionaires like Elon Musk and Sam Altman in accelerating (or distorting) the hype

• Who’s leading the AI race: U.S. vs. China vs. Middle East sovereign AI bets

• Why regulators are stuck between innovation and safety

• The financial gamble behind GenAI—and who pays if it fails

• How geopolitics, national security, and AI regulation could reshape global power

This isn’t just another “AI future” podcast. It’s about power, money, and ethics colliding in real time.

📌 Chapters
00:00 The AI Hype Train: An Introduction
01:37 Understanding the Impact of AI on Society
04:56 The Duality of AI: Benefits and Risks
07:56 The Role of Billionaires in AI Development
11:49 Tech Addiction and Its Implications
14:18 Key Players in the AI Landscape
16:50 The Gamble of Tech Companies on AI
18:33 Regulatory Responsibilities of Tech Companies
19:54 The Financial Viability of Gen.AI
21:25 Geopolitical Implications of AI Development
22:47 US vs China: Competing AI Strategies
25:58 Middle Eastern Investments in AI
29:14 Sovereign AI: A New Frontier
33:39 The Need for Global AI Regulation
34:50 Balancing Safety and Competitiveness in AI Regulation

🔗 Resources & Hosts

• Aparna Bhushan → /aparnabhushan

• Harinda Katugaha → /harindak

• Bonus clips + transcripts → rethinkingtech.substack.com

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