The global race for emerging technologies is often described in terms of innovation capacity, computing power, research funding and national competitiveness. Governments and industries speak of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum systems, robotics, and semiconductors as strategic assets that will shape the future balance of economic and geopolitical power. All of that is true. But there is another dimension of technological competition that receives far less attention: the struggle for public trust, social legitimacy and persuasive communication.