Read the following passage about the AI bubble and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits e...

Read the following passage about the AI bubble and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 1 to 8.

The global AI race has accelerated rapidly, transforming the technological landscape and driving nations to the forefront of innovation. With the US and China locking horns over chip dominance, AI has become the new gold rush of the century. Companies like NVIDIA, Google, and ByteDance are investing huge amounts into data centers and cloud infrastructure. However, as investments increase, many worry that this rapid growth might eventually lose momentum, leading to an overheated and unsustainable boom.

The rivalry between the US and China has given birth to two distinct AI ecosystems. On one side stand Western corporations, rallying around chipmakers and advanced cloud technologies. On the other, China is bent on achieving technological self-sufficiency, pouring resources into homegrown innovation. Both blocs are doubling down on infrastructure, aiming to outpace one another. However, as they race ahead relentlessly, some analysts warn that these ambitions may set off a dangerous spiral of overinvestment, speculation, and geopolitical tension.

Despite the optimistic forecasts, the risk of an AI bubble bursting looms large. Valuations have skyrocketed dramatically, and investors are throwing money left, right, and center without fully grasping the long-term profitability of such ventures. As capital flows rapidly into a handful of tech giants like OpenAI and NVIDIA, smaller startups struggle desperately to keep afloat. If growth projections fail to materialize, markets could tumble almost overnight, leaving companies to pick up the pieces of inflated expectations and short-lived hype.

Still, tech leaders firmly refuse to throw in the towel. They argue that even if the bubble bursts, the investment will undoubtedly lay the groundwork for future breakthroughs. As Mark Zuckerberg put it, “overinvestment today means transformation tomorrow.” The challenge lies in striking a delicate balance - keeping innovation alive without losing touch with economic reality. If managed wisely, the current frenzy might not end in tears but could instead genuinely pave the way for a new era of sustainable AI advancement.

(Adapted from VTV)

Question 1: Which of the following is NOT listed in the passage as a firm pouring significant resources into cloud infrastructure?

A. Google B. Meta C. NVIDIA D. ByteDance