From the New World Jeffrey Ding: How Can We Beat China? Build AI People Want
Nov 18, 2024
Jeffrey Ding, an author and expert on technology's role in global power dynamics, dives into the crucial topic of AI development and diffusion. He contrasts the US and China’s approaches to AI skill formation, arguing for a broader recognition of everyday engineers. The conversation touches on historical technological implications on geopolitics and warns against the 'Fortress America' mindset, which inflates threats from China. Ding advocates for collaborative innovation policies that embrace incremental advancements to maintain competitive edge in the tech landscape.
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Episode notes
Innovation vs. Diffusion
- The conventional wisdom overemphasizes innovation in technological advancements.
- Jeffrey Ding challenges this by highlighting the importance of diffusion.
Diffusion's Importance for GPTs
- Diffusion, the spread of technology after initial innovation, is crucial for general purpose technologies (GPTs).
- GPTs like electricity and AI transform multiple industries, impacting countries' rise and fall.
Sputnik Moment and Diffusion
- The Soviet Union's Sputnik moment illustrates the importance of diffusion.
- Despite early innovation, the US surpassed them in satellite tech adoption due to a better diffusion capacity.
