Bold Names

Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State and director of the Hoover Institution, shares insights on geopolitical tensions and the tech race with China. She emphasizes the urgent need for the U.S. to lead in AI and warns about the risks posed by AGI. Rice argues that businesses must integrate foreign policy with corporate strategy and adapt to ongoing uncertainties. She calls for innovation across sectors, the importance of democratic oversight, and strengthening global alliances to stay competitive.

Jeff Cardenas, Co-founder and CEO of Apptronik, shares his vision of humanoid robots as our future caregivers, inspired by his aging grandfathers. He outlines a three-stage roadmap for robot deployment, from industries to homes by 2035. Cardenas emphasizes the importance of owning actuators for enhanced robot dexterity and discusses Apptronik's collaborations with Google and DeepMind AI. He also explains how robots can become affordable, costing under $50,000, and argues that robotics will revolutionize productivity and national security in the U.S.

Dan Wang, a research fellow at the Hoover Institution and author of Breakneck, delves into the contrasting dynamics between the U.S. and China. He introduces the idea of China as an 'engineering state' that rapidly builds infrastructure, while the U.S. is depicted as a 'lawyerly society' bogged down by regulations. The discussion highlights China's manufacturing strengths, including the successes of Shenzhen and high-speed rail, alongside America's declining manufacturing capabilities. Wang also explores the implications of these frameworks for future technological and geopolitical positioning.

Arvind Krishna, CEO of IBM, has been at the forefront of the company's resurgence, focusing on hybrid cloud and AI. In this discussion, he shares IBM's bold ambitions in quantum computing and the competitive race against giants like Microsoft and Google. Krishna reflects on past lessons from Watson AI, emphasizing the cautious optimism needed in quantum technology. He dives into IBM's innovative strategies to overcome challenges in building reliable quantum systems and how these advancements could transform various industries.

Join engaging discussions with influential voices as they tackle the evolving challenges in tech and business. Discover how humor plays a role in embracing change during a quirky office step challenge. There’s also talk about exciting plans for a vibrant return to YouTube. Insightful, entertaining, and packed with real-world relevance, this is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and innovation.

Dive into the intriguing world of AI and humanoid robots as experts share insights on emerging technologies. Discover how tariffs are reshaping global supply chains and the economic landscape amid geopolitical shifts. Explore the booming online sports betting market and its transformative effects. Plus, get a glimpse into the digital age's impact on entertainment and the need for regulation. Reflect on the evolving entrepreneurial spirit in tech, with tales from venture capitalists and industry leaders.

Justin Cyrus, Founder and CEO of Lunar Outpost, discusses the exciting prospects of lunar exploration as one of NASA's selected companies for a lunar terrain vehicle. He highlights the potential for a bustling lunar economy, including resource mining for critical minerals. The podcast dives into the competitive landscape with Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, tackles the challenges of establishing sustainable bases on the moon, and addresses geopolitical dynamics in space exploration. Cyrus envisions Lunar Outpost as the backbone of lunar mobility in this new frontier.

Anjali Sud, CEO of Tubi and a dynamic leader aiming to democratize storytelling, talks about bringing a free ad-supported streaming service to the forefront. She reveals how Tubi is thriving against giants like Netflix, focusing on engaging niche audiences and expanding the definition of quality content. The discussion includes the effects of the Fox acquisition, the rise of original productions, and the changing preferences of Gen Z viewers. Sud emphasizes Tubi's commitment to diverse storytelling and its vision for a new generation of Hollywood talent.

Amit Walia, CEO of Informatica and a leader in data management solutions, dives into the exciting world of AI and its transformative potential for businesses. He discusses Informatica's pivotal role in helping major corporations like Toyota handle massive data and Salesforce's groundbreaking $8 billion acquisition of the company. Walia highlights the challenges organizations face in AI adoption and emphasizes the importance of proper data infrastructure. Tune in for insights on navigating the hype around AI and the future of personalized customer interactions!

Aicha Evans, CEO of Zoox and former Intel executive, shares insights on Zoox's ambitious plans to disrupt the robotaxi market with Amazon's backing. She discusses the company's unique vehicle design that resembles a lounge and highlights the challenges of ensuring safety and trust in autonomous technology. Evans also dives into the competitive landscape against Tesla and Waymo, emphasizing the need for collaboration and transparency. With families as potential new customers, she explores the importance of communicating the safety and reliability of robotaxi services.