Why America Leads in AI — And Risks Losing It

The AI CEO is a podcast where business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators uncover how artificial intelligence is transforming strategy, leadership, and growth. Each episode breaks down complex AI trends into clear insights, helping CEOs and decision-makers stay ahead in the age of disruption. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Guest: Brad Carson is a former U.S. Congressman, Under Secretary of the Army, and a thought leader in technology and public policy. He is now the President, Americans for Responsible Innovation in the beginning. With years of experience at the intersection of government, business, and emerging tech, Brad brings a unique perspective on how AI reshapes industries, regulation, and the future of work. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AI isn’t just another tool — it’s a turning point for business and society. In this episode of The AI CEO Podcast, Brad Carson breaks down the AI Action Plan, why the U.S. leads in AI, and how CEOs must adapt or risk being left behind. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction 00:44 Discussing the AI Action Plan 01:11 When AI Became the Biggest Turning Point 02:27 America's Leadership in AI 03:16 Three Key Things CEOs Must Understand 03:59 AI as an Opportunity for Small Businesses 04:37 The Urgency: Think AI or Be Consumed 05:32 The Challenge of Education for CEOs 06:44 Why You Must Spend Time on AI 07:54 AI Will Be More Transformative Than Electricity 09:05 Disruption in Industries (Life Insurance Example) 10:02 Generative AI as the "Bounty" of the Industry 11:05 Beyond Generative AI: Critical Thinking and Risk Bearing 12:22 Privacy and Ethics in Predictive AI 13:48 Data as Unique Intelligence 14:40 Data as a Licensable Asset 15:00 The Scarcity of Well-Curated Data 17:19 Data Governance and Avoiding Discrimination 18:33 The Power of Unstructured Data 19:07 What is Synthetic Data? 20:40 Trust and Verify with Data 21:17 The 10-Year Moratorium on State AI Policy 22:06 Why the Moratorium is a Bad Idea 23:00 AI's Negative Implications (Deepfakes, Mental Health) 24:43 Innovation Has Implications 26:56 The Exponential Growth Trajectory 27:55 The Business Responsibility to Act Responsibly 29:43 Solving Business Problems, Not Just Talking AI 34:09 AI Disruption in Interior Design 35:33 The Enduring Value of Human Taste 37:42 The "Messy Middle" and the Experience Gap 41:26 The Innovator's Dilemma 43:05 AI Democratizes Knowledge  45:17 Historic Capital Investment in Data Centers 46:39 AI's Net Impact on the Environment (Efficiency vs. Consumption) 49:04 Concerns about an AI Data Center Bubble 51:46 Lessons from the Social Dilemma 52:51 The Risk of Tech Company Concentration 54:03 The Political Ramifications of Automation and UBI 58:11 The Need for Real Leadership and Reimagining the Business 01:00:15 Case Study: A Company's Successful AI Transformation 01:06:52 Managing a System of AI Agents 01:07:54 New Jobs Are Coming (World Economic Forum) 01:10:21 Personal Excitement: Transforming Education 01:12:10 Advice for the Incoming College Freshman 01:14:28 Advice for Graduates Facing Job Disruption 01:17:44 Rethinking Curriculum: Oral Exams in Math and AI Literacy ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow us on: Seema Alexander Disruptive AI -We Make Businesses Intelligent (www.getdisruptive.ai) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seemaalexander/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seemaalexander/ The AI CEO Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaiceopodcast/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ai-ceo-podcast/ Brad Carson LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-carson-82b8a253/