Why AI is unique

I was just pondering why it is that so many people are willing to bet so heavily on AI. For example, thousands of companies. The government. Trillions of dollars. It's strange when compared to other potentially powerful technologies like fusion or carbon capture.<br><br>I think the reason is that AI is the first time in history that the potential upside is so high relative to the downside risk. In other words, the potential upside is so big that it far outweighs the cost of failing. I think this is why it is taking off so much faster than other technologies that could plausibly be as transformative.