Betting on America: Winning the Global Tech Race
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Betting on America: Winning the Global Tech Race explores how new and emerging partnerships between government and business are shaping the future of U.S. industrialization and the country’s prospects for winning the global tech race. Betting on America will dive into strategies and investments that government and business are pursuing together – sharing risks and generating returns – as they bet on the innovation, commercialization, and scaling of critical and emerging technologies across the country. These include climate technologies, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum, bio technologies, and more. The podcast will feature in-depth discussions with policymakers, experts, and industry leaders on the most complex policy questions of the day.Hosted by Navin Girishankar, President, CSIS Economic Security & Technology Department.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 10, 2025 • 37min
Federal Statistics for Economic Security featuring U.S. Chief Statistician Mark Calabria
Join us for a special episode of Betting on America from a recent live CSIS event featuring Dr. Mark Calabria, Chief Statistician of the United States, alongside leading experts from government, industry, and the research community. The discussion examines what it will take to build a modern statistical system—one that is accurate, credible, and capable of supporting America’s economic security in a more competitive and fast-moving world.
Watch the full event here.
Dec 3, 2025 • 45min
Investing in American Dynamism featuring David Ulevitch, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz
David Ulevitch, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to discuss the American Dynamism Fund and the growing trend of national interest investing. They discuss how these venture investors are looking for returns in sectors that will drive U.S. competitiveness and national security. Ulevitch shares his views on the U.S.-China technology competition and the feasibility of a sovereign wealth fund.
Nov 19, 2025 • 43min
The Security of Everything featuring Henry McVey, Partner and CIO of KKR’s Balance Sheet
Henry McVey, Partner, Head of Global Macro & Asset Allocation, and Chief Investment Officer of KKR’s Balance Sheet, KKR, and CSIS Board Member, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to explore the role of resilience driving policy and markets, what he calls “the security of everything.” They also discuss the evolving role of the state, the impact of AI on productivity, and stablecoins.
See more research from Henry McVey and KKR here:
All macro content: https://www.kkr.com/insights#categoryTagId=insights-categories:macro-insights
Thoughts from the Road Europe: https://www.kkr.com/insights/2025-europe-thoughts-from-the-road
Midyear Outlook: https://www.kkr.com/insights/mid-year-update-2025
Nov 10, 2025 • 35min
Small Firms, Workers, and AI featuring LinkedIn Chief Economist Karin Kimbrough
With over 1 billion subscribers across more than 200 countries, LinkedIn provides a unique, real-time perspective on jobs, skills, and AI adoption. Navin Girishankar and Karin Kimbrough explore how the AI revolution is impacting small businesses and the global market for talent. Karin shares insights from LinkedIn’s research on how AI is impacting companies and workers. She also discusses how private-sector data can complement federal economic statistics to provide a rich picture of the global talent market and the future of work.
Oct 15, 2025 • 52min
U.S. Energy Dominance featuring NEDC Executive Director Jarrod Agen
Jarrod Agen, Executive Director of the National Energy Dominance Council, discusses ambitious U.S. energy strategies. He highlights the importance of quickly lifting LNG restrictions and reforming permitting processes for energy projects. Agen outlines plans for a three-phase grid strategy aimed at stabilizing and expanding U.S. energy capacity, including a push for nuclear energy to support industry and AI. He emphasizes energy exports, particularly LNG and nuclear, as vital for strengthening geopolitical ties and competing globally against rivals.
Oct 1, 2025 • 52min
Reviving U.S. Commercial Supersonic Flight featuring Blake Scholl
Blake Scholl, Founder & CEO of Boom Supersonic, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to explore how innovations in advanced manufacturing and software as well as government policies are creating opportunities for the United States to once again push the frontier of commercial aviation. They also discuss the race with China to build supersonic jets, the impact of tariffs and deregulation on U.S. tech and manufacturing competitiveness, and whether supersonic travel can truly scale—commercially and globally.
Sep 17, 2025 • 26min
Innovating Global Logistics in Uncertain Times featuring Carol Tomé
Betting on America welcomes Carol Tomé, Chief Executive Officer of UPS. With over half a million employees operating in more than 200 countries, UPS sits at the center of a global economy transformed by pandemic shocks, trade wars, and technological revolutions. Navin Girishankar and Tomé explore how AI, robotics, and data are redefining logistics—from time-critical networks to the delivery of vital medicines—and how UPS’s expanding role in healthcare supply chains is becoming a core part of the U.S. technology offer to the Global South. Tomé shares hard-won leadership lessons on running at scale, building resilience, and turning supply chains into engines of opportunity.
Sep 4, 2025 • 46min
The Future of U.S. Economic Statecraft featuring former National Security Advisor General HR McMaster
HR McMaster, former U.S. National Security Advisor and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, shares his insights on U.S. economic statecraft and global competition with China. He emphasizes the importance of innovation and national security, discussing how patriotic investors can drive technological advancement. McMaster also highlights the need for bipartisan collaboration to strengthen U.S. policies and ensure resilience in the face of political polarization, urging unity to tackle pressing national and economic challenges.
Aug 20, 2025 • 46min
Can America Lead in Uranium Enrichment Again? Featuring Scott Nolan
Scott Nolan, Founder & CEO of General Matter and Partner at Founders Fund, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to chart America’s nuclear fuel comeback. He breaks down General Matter’s partnership with the Department of Energy to restart uranium enrichment in Paducah, KY, why securing fuel for the nation’s nuclear fleet is a strategic imperative, and how public–private collaboration is essential to tackling America’s biggest economic and national security challenges. Nolan also shares lessons from his journey as a founder and investor.
Aug 6, 2025 • 51min
Winning the AI Race featuring OSTP Director Michael Kratsios
This special episode of Betting on America features a recent live CSIS event with Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in conversation with Gregory C. Allen, Senior Advisor with the Wadhwani AI Center. Director Kratsios discusses the goals of the White House's newly released AI Action Plan along with the administration's plans for AI infrastructure, export controls, workforce, export promotion, national security, and more.
