In this discussion, journalist and engineer Karen Hao and China historian Rana Mitter delve into the fierce competition between the U.S. and China in AI. They examine Xi Jinping's ambitious five-year plan for China to dominate this technology and how U.S. export restrictions are spurring Chinese innovation. The duo also reflects on the implications of AI regulation differences, biases in AI data training, and the geopolitical ramifications of the Xi-Putin alliance. Expect insights that highlight the delicate balance between technological power and global influence!
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insights INSIGHT
US vs. China AI Development
US AI development benefits from more private investment.
Chinese AI development has more government regulation and a clearer path to product application before funding.
question_answer ANECDOTE
DeepSeek's Innovation
The Biden administration restricted US chip exports to China in 2022.
This constraint led to Chinese innovation, like DeepSeek's efficient AI model, by forcing them to use diverse chips creatively.
insights INSIGHT
Data Access vs. Censorship
Access to high-quality English data benefits US AI development more than Chinese censorship hinders China's.
Chinese internet fragmentation makes data collection harder while US companies can easily scrape Google.
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In this book, Kai-Fu Lee argues that China is poised to become the next tech-innovation superpower due to its unique advantages in AI development, such as abundant data, fewer data protection regulations, and aggressive tech startup culture. Lee discusses the potential economic upheaval caused by AI, the impact on employment, and proposes a social contract to forge a new synergy between AI and human society. The book emphasizes the need for both the US and China to accept and embrace the responsibilities that come with significant technological power.
Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future
Reid Hoffman
Greg Beato
In this book, Reid Hoffman and Greg Beato present a vision for an AI-powered future that is optimistic and inclusive. They argue that AI can unlock a world of possibilities, such as personalized education, rapid medical breakthroughs, and AI advisors empowering individuals. The book acknowledges challenges like disinformation and job changes but focuses on AI’s immense potential to improve lives and create better outcomes for society. It invites readers to view the future through a lens of opportunity rather than fear, encouraging active participation in shaping a world where human ingenuity and AI combine to achieve extraordinary things.
Empire of AI
Karen Howe
China’s leader, Xi Jinping, has given China five years to dominate Artificial Intelligence. He believes China must accomplish this goal in order to become the world’s tech giant. But the United States is doing everything it can to stop China from reaching its goal. Can Washington stop US and European advanced chips from reaching China? It seems not, as the arrival of DeepSeek shows. Will AI development be throttled by the Chinese government’s heavy censorship? Can China achieve its goal?
Guest: Karen Hao, journalist and engineer. Writing appears in The Atlantic, Wall Street Journal. Author of the upcoming Empire of AI.
Sound design, original score, mixing and mastering by Rowhome Productions. Rowhome’s Creative Director is Alex Lewis. John Myers is Rowhome’s Executive Producer. Face-Off is a proud member of the Airwave podcast network.
Face-Off: The U.S. vs China 
