Industrialist Digest: Why the U.S. Can’t Build Icebreaking Ships, The God-Fearing Merchant of AI Weapons, Arctic Spy Wars Between Russia & US and More

The Rise of Cloud Seeding in America, Washington and Big Oil Invest Billions in Ammonia, The UK’s $1-billion bet to Create Technologies that Change the World, The Warrior Energy Developer Fighting to Connect America’s Grids

Fellow Industrialists and Agents of Abundance,

As we enter October, the crisp cooler air signals not just a change in season but a dynamic convergence of change, for industry and geopolitics that will define much in the years to come. This week, we bring you the stories that matter most —from the elusive race to build icebreaking fleets in the arctic, the gold rush for clean power to fuel AI’s enormous data centers, the world’s largest shipyard aligning with the US to challenge China’s dominance and even the rise of institutional cloud seeding to enable rainfall in America and the powerful force of taste. Without further adieu, let’s get right to it and thank you for being part of the Industrialist.

— The Industrialist

Rayyan, Neev, Rahul

WHAT CAUGHT OUR EYE:

• Why the U.S. Can’t Build Icebreaking Ships ??
• Trae Stephens: Merchant of AI Weapons, Aide to Donald Trump and how his Christian values shapes his view of America on the global stage
• The Warrior Energy Developer Fighting to Connect America’s Grids
• Big Tech Rushes to Find Clean Power to Fuel AI’s Insatiable Appetite
• The Quiet, Elusive, Yet Powerful Force, of “Taste” The UK’s $1-billion bet to Create Technologies that Change the World
• The Storm Chasers Trying to Save the World from Drought ?? ??
• Why Washington and Big Oil Are Investing Billions in Ammonia
• The Arctic Spy Wars Between Russia and the West ??
• US Aligns with World’s Largest Shipyard to Challenge China’s Dominance??

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WHAT CAUGHT OUR EYE:

Why the U.S. Can’t Build Icebreaking Ships

In a world racing to unlock the secrets of the Arctic, the U.S. finds itself adrift, struggling to build the very vessels needed to break through its icy barriers. While rivals like Russia and China rapidly expand their fleets, the U.S. clings to aging icebreakers that groan under the weight of their years. The dream of new, powerful polar icebreakers remains just that—delayed by an underfunded, inexperienced shipbuilding industry, stifled by bureaucracy, and hemmed in by protectionist policies. The ice isn't waiting, and neither are America’s competitors. As climate change opens new passages to untapped riches beneath the ice, the U.S. faces a chilling reality: without swift action, it may be frozen out of the race for Arctic dominance. Penned by the amazing Brian Potter of Construction Physics, this is a MUST READ.

"Russia has a fleet of more than 40 icebreakers, with several under construction. China has somewhere between 5 and 7 icebreakers, with more under construction. The U.S., on the other hand, hasn’t built a heavy icebreaker since 1976. In fact, no existing U.S. shipyard has built a heavy polar icebreaker since before 1970."

Trae Stephens Has Built AI Weapons and Worked for Donald Trump. As He Sees It, Jesus Would Approve

Trae Stephens, a man of paradoxes, stands at the intersection of faith, defense, and technology, carving his path with a mission that blends Silicon Valley's innovation and military pragmatism. As a cofounder of Anduril and a partner at Founders Fund, he’s spearheading the future of AI-driven warfare, believing that even in the fog of war, human morality must prevail. His vision is bold yet grounded, drawing on the influence of his Christian values and a deep belief in America’s role on the global stage. Stephens sees his work as a pursuit not just of power, but of purpose—guided by a conviction that aligns the ethics of technology with the teachings of Jesus. His journey is one that redefines the role of industrialists in shaping the future of defense while embracing humanity’s higher calling.

“Personally, The call that I have been trying to make to the tech community is that we have a moral obligation to do things to benefit humanity, to draw us closer to God’s plan for his people. In the business macro, we need a supply chain that allows us to ramp up manufacturing of core, low-cost systems, so that if we ever find ourselves in a large-scale conflict, we could push weapons out to the front line quickly."

The Warrior Energy Developer Who Won’t Quit Fighting to Connect the America’s Grids

Michael Skelly’s unrelenting quest to connect America’s power grids reveals a visionary in the face of daunting odds. For over 15 years, Skelly has fought to build long-distance transmission lines, believing they are key to unlocking the nation's renewable energy potential. His efforts have faced failures and immense resistance from regulators, landowners, and entrenched energy interests. Yet, his latest venture, the North Plains Connector, might finally turn the tide, as policymakers begin to recognize the critical need for resilient, interconnected power systems. Skelly’s vision transcends today’s limitations, promising a future where electricity flows freely across vast distances, even multiple states, ensuring power stability even in the face of extreme weather. His story is one of persistence, innovation, and a relentless push for a greener, more connected tomorrow.

“Transmission lines are the unappreciated linchpin of the clean-energy transition, arguably as essential as solar panels in cutting emissions and as important as seawalls in keeping people safe.”

Big Tech Rushes to Find Clean Power to Fuel AI’s Insatiable Appetite

As artificial intelligence surges in power and influence, so does its insatiable hunger for energy, driving some of the world's largest tech giants into a race against time. The very companies that once vowed to cut their carbon emissions are now scouting for clean energy solutions to fuel the colossal data centers powering their AI dreams. From geothermal heat in Nevada to small nuclear reactors in the Carolinas, partnerships are forming between tech titans like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon with energy providers to secure the future of green power. This scramble for sustainable energy underscores a pivotal moment where two unlikely sectors—tech and utilities—collide to shape the future. As they work to tap into the Earth’s deepest heat and embrace cutting-edge technologies, the question looms: Can clean energy keep up with AI's relentless pace, or will the dream of a carbon-neutral future slip away? Here at 8090 Industries, we certainly think so, especially with our portfolio companies such as Oklo, Exowatt, Gold Hydrogen, Quaise and more.

“Emissions from the global build-out of data centers between now and 2030 could equal about 40% of the entire U.S. economy’s annual emissions.”

The Quiet, Elusive, Yet Powerful Force, of “Taste”

In a world that is increasingly fast-paced and driven by surface-level experiences, the concept of "taste" emerges as a quiet, yet powerful force—an elusive, almost mystical sensibility that shapes how we perceive, create, and interact with the world around us. In her essay, Brie Wolfson reflects on taste not merely as a marker of aesthetics but as a cultivated, deliberate way of moving through life. It is more than just an eye for beauty; it is an act of appreciation and creation. Taste involves the layering of experiences, a commitment to attention, and a pursuit of the uniquely compelling. It requires an almost alchemic blend of skill, curiosity, and authenticity that, when wielded correctly, transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. As George Saunders puts it, taste helps us discover the "iconic space" from which we can truly shine—a space only we can inhabit.

"Taste is a commitment to a state of attention. It’s a process of peeling back layer after layer, turning over rock after rock. Good taste is simply to have a well-formed opinion, in accordance with the realities of the Good and the True."

The UK’s $1-billion bet to Create Technologies that Change the World

In the spirit of innovation and risk, the UK has embarked on a $1-billion bet to unlock breakthrough technologies that could reshape our world. Modeled after the famed DARPA but free from military ties, the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) has begun its quest to push the boundaries of human capability. With freedom to fund radical, high-risk research, ARIA aims to spark revolutionary innovations in areas like precision neurotechnologies and AI safety. Its maverick program directors have one audacious goal: to take humanity to the "edge of the possible"—a realm where the unimaginable becomes reality. With a 10-year runway and the boldness to embrace failure, ARIA's success could very well redefine what we believe is achievable.

“If you had $50 million in research funding to change the world, what would you do? ARIA's mission is to empower scientists and engineers to reach for the edge of the possible and unlock breakthroughs that can benefit everyone."

The Storm Chasers Trying to Save the World from Drought

In the race to combat the growing threat of drought, cloud-seeding has emerged as a controversial yet increasingly funded solution, aiming to extract more water from the atmosphere. Pioneers like Bill Kornell, a former bull-riding champion turned storm-chasing pilot, fly into treacherous storms, releasing silver iodide into clouds in hopes of boosting precipitation by around 10%. Across water-starved regions, from the American West to Australia and the United Arab Emirates, cloud-seeding has become a multimillion-dollar effort. Utah alone has allocated $18 million for cloud-seeding operations in 2025, a sharp increase from just $350,000 two years ago. Similarly, Idaho’s budget rose from $500,000 in 2017 to nearly $3.9 million annually. This technique is being used across 52 countries, including China’s ambitious Sky River Project, which aims to reroute rain to supply water to 420 million people. And there’s even a founder backed by Peter Thiel named Augustos Doricko focused on unleashing abundant cloud seeding capability through his venture backed startup, Rainmaker Technology Corp.

Yet despite its growing adoption and momentum, cloud-seeding’s effectiveness remains hotly debated, with scientists cautioning that its results are difficult to measure and could have unintended consequences on weather patterns elsewhere.

“We produced enough extra water that they actually asked us to quit flying,” recalled Kornell, underscoring the tangible impact of cloud-seeding efforts.”

Why Washington and Big Oil Are Investing Billions in Ammonia

In a bid to revolutionize the energy landscape, ammonia—a compound historically tied to fertilizers—is fast becoming a cornerstone of the future of low-carbon energy. Washington and the oil giants are pouring billions into this unassuming molecule, not just for its agricultural uses, but for its potential as a clean-burning fuel. Projects across the U.S., including a landmark $1.56 billion investment in Indiana, are harnessing ammonia's capacity to produce energy without carbon emissions. As the world scrambles for alternatives to fossil fuels, these initiatives promise to reshape energy markets and reduce dependence on foreign supplies. The race is on to capture carbon and bury it deep underground while unlocking ammonia's global potential—a move that could tilt the balance of power in the next energy frontier.

"Ammonia doesn’t produce carbon emissions when burned as fuel, driving a new wave of activity from companies angling to ship it all over the world. To big oil companies, climate investors, and the U.S. government, [ammonia] is a hot commodity attracting billions of dollars for its use in fertilizer and low-carbon energy.

The Arctic Spy Wars Between Russia and the West

In the icy silence of the Arctic, where boundaries blur and shadows stretch long under the cover of endless polar nights, Russia's covert battle rages beneath the surface of the frigid Barents Sea. In the remote Norwegian town of Kirkenes, espionage and hybrid warfare unfold like a tense chess game, where fishing boats are no longer just fishing boats, and shadowy figures linger in the periphery, probing Western defenses and seeking to shape narratives in the North. As the geopolitical chessboard expands, the stakes for the Arctic’s future loom larger than ever, with nuclear warheads poised on the horizon and intelligence operations playing out in an unforgiving wilderness. The story of Kirkenes is not just a tale of espionage—it is a glimpse into a dangerous new era where the Arctic becomes the frontline of a cold and calculated war for dominance -- a MUST READ from Ben Taub from the New Yorker.

“Many of the world’s most closely guarded secrets concern the capacity of governments to destroy their enemies while denying them the ability to retaliate. We’re back to the Cold War... And I think it’s going to be like this for the rest of my life.”

How the World’s Largest Shipyard Is Challenging China’s Dominance

In the heart of Ulsan, South Korea, lies the world’s largest shipyard, a place where the future of global maritime power is being contested. Here, towering Goliath cranes and an army of skilled workers build vessels that define the next era of naval dominance. As the U.S. Navy grapples with China’s rapidly growing ship fleet, a new alliance is being forged with South Korean shipbuilders like Hyundai Heavy Industries. With unmatched speed and efficiency, these shipyards represent not just an industrial marvel but a beacon of collaboration between nations standing at the frontier of global power shifts. A quiet power struggle unfolds at sea, and in this dance of steel and strategy, the U.S. looks eastward for an edge—toward allies who can build the future faster, cheaper, and smarter than anyone else. Incredible reporting from Timothy W. Martin of the WSJ.

“We can build ships cheaper and faster than anyone else in the world,” — Jeong Woo-maan, head of Hyundai’s naval business unit.

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