This post announces the top three winners from a 600+ submission essay contest on major AI challenges. Jassi Pannu outlines a state-scale plan to end airborne pathogens, Ege Erdil advises growth-focused policies for countries outside the AI supply chain, and Michael Li compares AI labs’ economics to Hong Kong’s MTR model. Each full essay follows the brief winner descriptions.

The article shows how Cursor achieved rapid growth by forking VS Code’s open-source code, preserving every user’s settings and extensions so there’s zero switching cost. It argues that instead of forcing users to jump to a new tool, you can “inherit” their staying value by building on the exact platform they already use. This approach lets you slip in a deeper advantage where the incumbent can’t follow without breaking their ecosystem.

Successful waitlist strategies have evolved from simple sign-up forms to essential marketing tools that enhance lead quality for startups. By analyzing case studies, the article emphasizes the importance of understanding user intent, segmenting potential customers, and rapidly converting waitlisted users into paying customers. Founders are encouraged to use waitlists not just for hype, but as a way to generate valuable insights and revenue.