Leopold Aschenbrenner, a former OpenAI researcher, has launched Situational Awareness LP, a $1.5 billion hedge fund focused on artificial general intelligence (AGI). The fund achieved a 47% return in the first half of 2025 by investing in AI infrastructure companies and shorting underperforming sectors. Aschenbrenner's manifesto, 'Situational Awareness: The Next Decade,' argues that AGI will transform the global economy and emphasizes the need for the U.S. to surpass China in AI development. The fund's success has sparked ethical debates about profiting from AI advancements, with critics concerned about escalating U.S.-China competition. Supporters liken Aschenbrenner's strategy to Michael Burry's approach during the 2008 financial crisis. The fund's performance, including a lucrative $459 million Intel call option, has raised questions about whether its gains are due to skill or timing. Financial institutions like the Bank of England and IMF have cautioned about a potential market correction if AGI does not meet expectations.