The artificial intelligence (AI) industry leaders, including tech industry leaders and global businesses, have claimed that artificial intelligence is inevitable and will continue to improve. However, new data suggests that the industry's quest for world domination (and perhaps a growing share of the labor market) is uncertain due to the Iran conflict and potential impacts to semiconductor manufacturing. Despite these efforts, AI is not particularly popular with Americans or businesses, with only 17% of Americans surveyed in a recent Pew Research study expecting it to have a positive effect on the U.S. over the next 20 years, many believe it could be equally good and bad. The industry has also faced criticism for its image, with some firms conducting “AI-driven layoffs” suggesting that the word ‘AI’ is associated with “job loss.” and others expressing concern about the potential for economic disruption or human extinction. There are also concerns about the future costs of AI buildout, and concerns about who will bear the AI build-out costs. Despite the rapid growth of AI businesses like OpenAI and Anthropic, many businesses have remained sidelined due to concerns about its adoption and regulation. There is also a potential for a downturn in technology stocks, with many expecting a slowdown in AI adoption and a decline in labor force usage of generative AI.