China vs. US: Tech Optimism vs. Doomism and Education System Differences with Natalia Cote-Munoz

Joining me today is Natalia Cote-Munoz, a policy strategist, writer, and International Strategy Forum (ISF) Fellow— a program by Schmidt Futures that supports rising leaders at the intersection of geopolitics, technology, and public service. Natalia has served in the U.S. State Department, leading foreign policy think tanks and crisis diplomacy roles. She is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School and speaks English, Spanish, and Mandarin, among other languages.

In this conversation, we discuss Natalia’s unique upbringing as a third-culture kid, her experiences in tech diplomacy, and the evolution of US-China relations in the tech sector. Natalia reflects on her recent return to Beijing after a decade, sharing insights on the rapid technological advancements in China, particularly in AI and digital payments.

We also discuss her observations of how diplomats are trained as an international relations teacher at China’ Foreign Affairs University, how AI cannot be replacing humans in diplomacy, her embrace of AI in productivity and creativity work while she was experiencing a concussion, and lastly her unconventional belief about the societal views on Labubus, highlighting the cultural differences in perceptions of childishness and professionalism.

In today’s world, there’s no shortage of information. Knowledge is abundant, perspectives are everywhere. But true insight doesn’t come from access alone—it comes from differentiated understanding. It’s the ability to piece together scattered signals, cut through the noise and clutter, and form a clear, original perspective on a situation, a trend, a business, or a person. That’s what makes understanding powerful.

Every episode, I bring in a guest with a unique point of view on a critical matter, phenomenon, or business trend—someone who can help us see things differently.

For more information on the podcast series, see here.

Chapters

01:30 A Third Culture Kid’s Journey

04:21 Evolution of US Tech Diplomacy

11:32 Reflections on Beijing After a Decade

17:54 Exploring the Red App and AI Conversations - Doomism vs. Optimism

28:35 Education and Talent Development in AI

38:20 Exploring Student Aspirations in International Affairs

40:33 The Role of International Faculty in Education

41:56 STEM vs. Liberal Arts: Educational Mindsets

47:41 AI as a Productivity Partner: A Personal Journey

56:24 AI in Diplomacy: The Human Element

01:01:26 Legitimacy in AI: Who Builds It Matters?

01:02:00 Cultural Perspectives on Professionalism

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