NatSec Tech Episode 82: Meredith Potter on the Future of Democratic Tech Alliances
Jul 16, 2025
Meredith Potter, Executive Director of the American Security Fund and former key player in international development, dives into the significance of democratic tech alliances. She discusses the strategic relationships between the U.S., India, and Taiwan, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in the tech sector for national security. Potter also highlights the need for ethical considerations in AI development and navigates the delicate balance between educational exchanges and protecting intellectual property from authoritarian threats.
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Episode notes
Three-Legged Approach To AI Policy
- Meredith Potter frames AI as a three-legged stool: private AI, public AI, and ethics.
- She says funding and integrating all three prevents systemic failure.
Alliances Often Grow Organically, Not Strategically
- Meredith Potter says democratic tech alliances exist organically and bilaterally, like U.S.-India dialogues and the Quad.
- She warns organic growth may miss strategic alignment on definitions and priorities.
Share Where It Doesn’t Harm Our Edge
- Meredith Potter argues sharing with allies doesn't erase American superiority across the full tech stack.
- She says the U.S. should protect its innovation edge while cooperating on manufacturing and supply chains.
