The Lawfare Podcast Scaling Laws: What's Next in AI Policy (and for Dean Ball)?
14 snips
Aug 15, 2025 Dean Ball, a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation and former Senior Policy Advisor for AI at the White House, shares captivating insights from his time shaping AI policy during the Trump administration. He discusses the complexities of navigating federal AI regulations and the balance between personal skill and bureaucratic challenges. The conversation also delves into societal impacts of AI, the need for cohesive national strategies, and reflections on recent technological developments like ChatGPT-5.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Why He Left The White House
- Dean Ball left OSTP because implementation and White House management weren't the best fit for his skills.
- He preferred the freedom outside government to try bold ideas and shape rhetoric around AI policy.
Accept White House Service Carefully
- If you're called to serve in the White House, say yes because it's an extraordinary honor and opportunity.
- Be ready for long hours, FOIA constraints, and to represent the president's vision rather than your own.
AI Politics Are Deeply Fragmented
- The Republican coalition on AI is fragmented between techno-libertarians and skeptics of Big Tech's influence.
- AI means different things to different constituencies, so politics will shape policy definitions and priorities.