Investor’s Daily poll (26 August 2026)

Which past technology boom offers the most interesting parallel to AI designing its own next generation of hardware?

Steam engines improving machine tools 260 votes (28.9%)
Cars creating the oil industry 178 votes (19.8%)
Smartphones creating app stores 234 votes (26.0%)
Railways creating suburbs 228 votes (25.3%)

Total votes: 900

Answer: A – Steam engines improving machine tools

Explanation: During the Industrial Revolution, better steam engines helped power the machine tools and factories that could then manufacture increasingly sophisticated machinery – a reinforcing cycle between the technology and the means of producing it.

Get ahead of the curve with Investor's Daily

Enter your email to access exclusive insights and stay informed with our Investor's Daily daily email.

Because Investor's Daily is completely free, we do have to fund it with advertising. Occasionally we will send you promotional emails, which will contain advertisements from us. By signing up to our free emails, you are consenting to receive these promotions. However we will never give, sell or rent your email address to any other companies. If you want to stop receiving our free emails at any time, you can immediately unsubscribe by clicking on the link in each email. For more information, please see our privacy policy.