What’s More Important? AI or the Election.

Happy Friday! Fast food has definitely become more expensive over the years. But it might shock you just how much. Your favorite McDonald’s meal the price might have doubled since 2014far exceeding inflation.

In today’s big story, we announce the finalists for our business, technology and innovation category. Now we need you to decide on a winner.

What’s on deck:

But first, our finale is set.

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The big story

Crown a champion

We’re back with the latest installment of our March Madness installment.

If you’re just catching up, we identified a few weeks ago eight of the biggest trends in the areas of business, technology and innovation. Readers then voted on which ones were most important to them.

Last week, we narrowed it down to the final four. Here are the results:

(1) The race for AI (86.6%) beats (4) The future of social media (13.4%).

(3) Defeats in the US presidential election (72.4%). (2) Interest rate (27.6%).

And then there were two: the AI ​​race against the US presidential election.

Before the final showdown, I emailed sources across industries to find out which one is more important. Here’s what they had to say. (Hint: There’s a bit of a theme.)

Bruce K. Lee, Founder and CEO, Keebeck Wealth Management:

“It’s AI first. It’s critical that families have access to the best AI investments. Over two decades of innovation, family offices have learned that without unique access to this type of technological opportunities and the advantage it offers them, they have nothing. “.

Dan Rosen, Founder and Partner, Commerce Ventures:

“As an investor in fintech, AI seems more important to me. AI promises to fundamentally change the operating models and profitability of financial institutions, which is more important than ever given regulatory headwinds and increasing capital requirements.”

A technology manager in Europe:

“I think AI would be even more relevant because of its potential to impact all of us now as well as many generations to come. As crucial as this year’s US elections are, its impact will at some point be diluted or overwhelmed by the impact of future elections. elections.”

Ira Allen, high school counselor and former insurance agent:

“AI is trendy. It is now. I’ve seen two cases in the public school where I work where kids were arrested for using AI. What jobs will be lost with AI AI? What jobs will be created? And finally, will AI take over? ‘a life of its own?'”

Tracy Albert, vice president of investment banking at Palm Tree:

“Artificial intelligence can complement and enhance the capabilities of an investment banker. However, it will never replace the inherent human qualities that give meaning to our relationships. Technology will struggle, in the near future, to me replace me and my colleagues!”

Wendy Craft, CEO of Elle Family Office (Lazarian SFO):

“It’s AI. All families are discussing AI and how it will affect security, reputation, privacy as well as investment aspects. However, on the political side, many families would like to still see the Dodd-Frank provisions repealed, as they apply to family offices – which party would be most willing to do so is under discussion.

Zach Blank, chief strategist for Chief Nick DiGiovanni:

“AI is clearly in the lead, having already transformed the technology landscape in ways that government policy never has! There is truly limitless potential for what AI can accomplish as it advances. “

3 things about the markets

1. Back to basics for renowned hedge funds at Sohn. The annual conference allows hedge funds to present big ideas to the markets. But this year’s conference saw high-profile names like David Einhorn, Jesse Cohn of Elliott and Greg Coffey of Kirkoswald. preaching fundamentals and restraint.

2. A Goldman Sachs Partner’s Mission: Cure banker burnout, one good night’s sleep at a time. Brian Robinson is an advocate for taking care of your body and mind It has nothing to do with work. This includes drinking 72 ounces of water per day, exercising regularly, and never sleeping next to your phone.

3. Nelson Peltz’s proxy war was a waste of time, expert says. The Wall Street Journal reported that the activist investor’s hedge fund made about $300 million in profits from its 16-month battle with Disney. But James Park, a corporate law expert at UCLA, told BI that Peltz would have been it is better to concentrate on other campaignsconsidering that he failed in his efforts to win a seat on the board of directors of the House of Mouse.

3 things in technology

1. The co-founder of Marissa Mayer’s application has just resigned, a few days after the launch of her application. The former Yahoo CEO launched her new photo-sharing app last month. On Wednesday, she co-founder Enrique Munoz Torres announced his departure on LinkedIn, calling his time at their joint company, Sunshine, “the most rewarding experience” of his career.

2. Elon Musk gives and Elon Musk takes away. More than a year after making them fee-only, Musk began restore blue checkmarks to X accounts with significant consequences. But some people don’t want it and are embarrassed by the insinuation that they paid for checks.

3. Layoffs at Apple. The tech giant has cut more than 600 employees in California, according to a series of notices filed with the state. Apple is cutting staff after abandoning its electric car project and ending efforts to manufacture next-generation Apple Watch displays in-house.

3 things in business

1. Ford delays its new electric SUV. The release of Ford’s three-row electric vehicles has been pushed back to 2027, the company announced. Instead, it is working to expand its hybrid offerings.

2. Happy hour is back. Workers may not be going to the office, but they probably go to bars. New data shows that happy hour spending is still above 2019 levels in many major U.S. cities.

3. The SZN election is good news for Snap. World Advertising Research Center analysts forecast the social media company’s ad revenue to reach grow by 13.7% this yearcompared to a 0.1% increase in 2023. The world’s biggest election year in history will boost its political advertising revenue, they said.

In other news

What’s happening today

The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, associate editor and presenter, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Hallam Bullock, editor, in London. George Glover, journalist, in London.