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Aloha friends,

Greetings from the German Autobahn! 🇩🇪 As I type this, Mikołaj, Luna (our four-legged co-pilot), and I are kicking off our 3,300 km road trip from Poland to Portugal. We're embarking on a month of remote work, surfing, and the big launch of the AI Maturity Index. Stay tuned!!! 🚀 

Speaking of which, let's dive into some intriguing findings...

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In the last newsletter, I shared some initial insights from our AI Maturity Index. Today, I've got another nugget for you to ponder:

I'll reveal the results next week! Now it’s time to dive into today’s main topic.

Global AI Power Rankings: Who's Leading, Who's Leaping

The landscape of global competition has shifted dramatically in recent years, with artificial intelligence emerging as a key battleground for national supremacy. As we delve into the Global AI Index 2024, it's clear that national AI strategies have become not just important, but critical for countries aiming to secure their place in the AI-driven future.

This report serves as a wake-up call for lagging nations and a blueprint for success in the AI age. As we'll see, the countries that are getting it right are those that have recognized AI as a national priority, fostering collaboration between government, industry, and academia, and making significant investments in both research and implementation.

1. Global AI Leadership and Competition

• US dominance: Accounts for over 60% of global private AI investment

• Singapore's rise: Ranks 3rd globally, challenging US and China in AI infrastructure and patents

• France's leap: Jumps to 5th place, outperforming UK in open-source LLM development

• India's debut: Enters top 10 for the first time, but struggles with talent retention

• Saudi Arabia's ambition: Public AI spending commitments outrank both US and China

2. AI Talent and Workforce Trends

• Industry shift: Over 50% of AI scientists now work in industry positions in most countries

• US talent magnet: Hosts 27% of global advanced career AI scientists

• India's paradox: Ranks 2nd in overall AI talent, but 24th in specialized AI research scientists

3. AI Infrastructure and Hardware

• US chip dominance: Leads through Nvidia, "the hottest stock in the world"

• China's adaptability: Use of Nvidia's RTX-series GPUs in research surpasses US

• East Asian strength: After US, top 5 in semiconductor manufacturing are China, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea

4. AI Research and Development

• US-China duopoly: Dominate large-scale AI model research for past 5 years

• France's emergence: Establishes itself as 3rd global player in AI model development

• Open-source growth: Rapidly catching up to proprietary models in capabilities

5. AI Investment and Funding

• Generative AI boom: Funding nearly doubled in past year, driving overall AI investment growth

• US private sector lead: Makes up over 60% of total global AI investment

• Government commitments: Saudi Arabia leads in public AI spending, outranking US and China

6. AI Legislation and Regulation

• US legislative action: Passed 23 AI-related bills into law in 2023

• Global trend: AI mentions in legislative proceedings at all-time high

• UK leadership: Tops ranking for AI mentions in legislative proceedings

7. Public Perception and Trust

• Trust disparity: Lower-ranking countries (e.g., Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia) show higher trust in AI than high-ranking nations (e.g., UK, US)

• Perception improvement: Public perception of AI improved in past year, especially in high-ranking countries

To wrap it up - one thing becomes abundantly clear: proactivity in AI-related activities is no longer just an option, but a necessity for nations seeking to secure their future prosperity and security.

The landscape revealed by this report shows a world where AI capabilities are increasingly defining national competitiveness. From economic growth and technological innovation to national security and geopolitical influence, AI is reshaping the foundations of global power dynamics.

Countries that have doubled down on AI development – through strategic investments, policy initiatives, and fostering robust ecosystems – are already reaping the benefits. They're not just leading in technological advancements, but are also better positioned to address future challenges, from climate change to healthcare crises.

Conversely, nations lagging in AI adoption risk falling behind in multiple domains. The gap between AI leaders and followers is widening, and the cost of catching up grows steeper with each passing year.

Therefore, the message is clear: countries must prioritize and accelerate their AI strategies now. This means not just increased funding, but also creating supportive regulatory environments, investing in education and talent retention, and fostering public-private partnerships.

The AI revolution is not a future prospect – it's unfolding now. Nations that recognize this and act decisively will be the ones shaping the world of tomorrow. For policymakers, business leaders, and citizens alike, the imperative is to embrace AI proactively, ensuring their country is not just a participant, but a leader in the AI-driven future.

The race is on, and the stakes have never been higher. It's time for every nation to ask itself: are we doing enough to secure our place in the AI age?

Stay optimistic,

Iwo