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.