Differentiated Understanding China’s AI and Tech Diplomacy with Professor Brian Wong
Dr. Brian Wong is a HKU-100 Assistant Professor in Philosophy at the University of Hong Kong. His research examines the ethics and dynamics of authoritarian regimes and their foreign policies, historical and colonial injustices, and the intersection of geopolitics, political and moral philosophy, and technology. At HKU, he serves as a Fellow at the Centre on Contemporary China and the World, sits on the Steering Committee for the Hong Kong Ethics Lab, and advises the Interdisciplinary Dynamics: Ethics, AI, and Society at the Institute of Data Science. A Rhodes Scholar and Kwok Scholar, Brian holds a DPhil in Politics from the University of Oxford.
In this conversation, Dr. Brian Wong discusses his research at the intersection of moral philosophy, technology, and geopolitics. He emphasizes the importance of understanding AI's impact on employment and the need for academia to adapt to teach AI effectively. Dr. Wong also explores China's tech diplomacy, highlighting its focus on self-sufficiency and global partnerships. He argues that Hong Kong's unique status is crucial for its role in global tech and governance, and he concludes with a reflection on the future of technology and humanity, stressing the importance of human values in the tech race.
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
00:00 Introduction to Dr. Brian Wong's Research
02:47 Exploring the Intersection of Philosophy, Technology, and Geopolitics
10:38 Chinese Tech Diplomacy and AI Development
21:39 China's Global Tech Goals and Misconceptions
36:16 Innovation in the Chinese Ecosystem
41:20 The Impact of AI on Workforce Dynamics
52:16 Navigating AI in Education
57:21 Hong Kong's Unique Role in the Global Landscape
01:06:43 The Future of Technology and Humanity
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