Steel ships, railroads, and data centers: A VC takes the Industrial Revolution analogy seriously

Hans Tung and Notable Capital discuss the parallels between the Industrial Revolution and the modern era of AI. Tung explains how the British Navy became dominant in the 19th century due to their investment in steel ships and steam engines, which gave them a technological edge over other nations. He draws a comparison to the current AI revolution, emphasizing that simply having a superior algorithm is not enough to secure global dominance.

Tung argues that infrastructure, such as high-speed rail and data centers, is crucial for success in the modern world. He points out how China's massive investment in railroads and shipbuilding has given them a significant advantage over the United States. Tung's analysis suggests that the development of AI infrastructure will be just as critical as the underlying technology itself.