a16z Podcast David Sacks: AI, Crypto, China, Dems, and SF
311 snips
Nov 3, 2025 
David Sacks, a tech entrepreneur and former White House advisor on AI and crypto, dives deep into the intricacies of U.S. technology policy. He discusses the challenges of regulatory capture in AI and the importance of open source as a competitive advantage against China. Sacks highlights the urgency of the infrastructure crisis for global AI dominance and contrasts the U.S. and EU approaches to innovation. Additionally, he addresses the implications of political narratives around AI and examines the future of San Francisco's governance and the Democratic Party.
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Why AI And Crypto Share A Portfolio
- AI and crypto share being new, misunderstood tech that require different policy approaches.
- Crypto needs clear regulation; AI needs pro-innovation infrastructure and measured rules.
Founders Were Debanked And Feared Prosecution
- David recounts crypto founders being debanked and fearing prosecution under prior enforcement.
- A White House crypto summit contrasted that past with current recognition of the industry.
Regulatory Capture Threatens Permissionless Innovation
- Some leading AI companies pushed for regulations that lock out new competitors through pre-approval systems.
- Pre-approval of compute or models would slow innovation and favor incumbents.
