The contest is sponsored (https://www.gpuworld.org/official-rules) by a crypto bro firm that also invested in FTX:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradigm_(venture_capital_firm...

And by an AI company:

https://guardianangel-ai.com/

This is supposed to lead to positive engagement and dispel the notion of an AI cartel, because AI is soooooooo democratized!! Surprising that Neal Stephenson participates in this advertisement.