The Know Daily - Tuesday 18 November 2025

_{Read in 4m 21s ∙ Listening to Ed Sheeran ∙}

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A bronze statue of Bridget Jones has been unveiled in Leicester Square 🩷 We like it very much – just as it is.

🫧 The AI bubble

Talk of an “AI bubble” has picked up pace recently as investors chase the current trend. Let’s break down what it means.

Where does “bubble” come from?
In finance, a “bubble” describes a period when asset prices rise far beyond what their underlying value supports – usually driven by hype, optimism and a fear of missing out. The term dates back as far as 18th-century market crazes like the South Sea Bubble in 1720, when investors speculated about a company's stock and sent prices soaring before a big slump. So bubbles aren’t new to tech, and investors have historically chased the promise of revolutionary ideas.

Ok, any more recent examples of this happening?
The dot-com bubble is a textbook case. In the late ’90s, internet companies with little revenue were valued in the billions, fuelled by belief that the web would change everything. When reality caught up, markets took a dive and several firms disappeared almost overnight.

A similar pattern emerged with cryptocurrencies and blockchain in the late 2010s: huge optimism, rapid price rises and then a sharp correction. There was even talk of a Labubu bubble for the collectible plush toys. These moments show how enthusiasm for new concepts can quickly outpace its proven potential.

How does AI come into it?
The rise of generative AI for creating content has sparked a comparable wave of excitement. Major tech firms – including chipmakers, cloud providers and software companies – are investing heavily in AI-related infrastructure, such as data centres, driving rapid growth. Some analysts warn valuations are now detached from profits, suggesting a bubble may be forming. For example, OpenAI is reportedly valued at around $300 billion, while its 2024 revenue was just $3.7 billion and its revenue is projected to reach $12.7 billion in 2025. Worldwide AI spending is forecast to reach nearly $1.5 trillion this year, according to Gartner. 

Others see things differently. They argue AI is a genuine economic shift, not just hype and that high valuations reflect the technology’s transformative potential. If AI truly boosts productivity across industries, today’s prices could make sense in hindsight.

The takeaway.
AI is transforming industries and the market’s excitement reflects that potential. While valuations are high, the key for investors is focusing on companies that can deliver real innovation and growth over the long term.

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🇬🇧 The UK government has announced plans to update the asylum system, including new rules on support and accommodation.

• The bigger story: The government says the changes are meant to discourage unsafe journeys, make refugee status more temporary, and encourage people to use work or study routes before applying for long-term settlement. Some charities and MPs have raised concerns about how the rules might affect families and people who need extra support. The proposals aren’t law yet — they still need public consultations and a bill to pass through Parliament, so the details could change.

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🐬 A trove of rare wildlife have been revealed in the first mission to this deep sea canyon in the Mediterranean. 

🕊️ The UN Security Council has approved a resolution that endorses the US’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza, including an international board to oversee demilitarising and reconstructing the region.

👠 Anna Wintour’s final cover of Vogue has hit newsstands as she steps away as Editor-in-Chief.

🏠 The top London postcodes where you can buy family homes for less than £500k have been revealed.

✈️ The “most desirable” countries to visit have been announced following a vote of over 200k travellers.

🎤 Lorde has been announced as the headline act of All Points East 2026’s all-female lineup.

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Trivia answer: C) Reed buntings may be the most likely small birds to seek partnerships outside of their pairings, according to an ornithologist.

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