The AI Policy Podcast

The U.S. government has made waves with an $8.9 billion investment to secure a 9.9% stake in Intel, raising eyebrows about market fairness and the future of U.S. semiconductor independence. Meanwhile, Nvidia has halted H20 chip production for China, sparking discussions about Beijing's push for self-sufficiency in the AI sector. The implications of these moves not only affect industry dynamics but also point to broader geopolitical tensions and the delicate balance of global technology competition.

The podcast dives into a significant new licensing deal involving Trump, Nvidia, and AMD, discussing its implications for U.S. national security. It raises concerns about the potential for an AI-driven economic bubble as investments surge in the sector. The conversation also highlights recent advances in federal AI adoption, showcasing the approval of major vendors like OpenAI and Google by the General Services Administration. Listeners get a glimpse into the challenges and strategic considerations of integrating AI into government workflows.

The podcast dives into the heated debate surrounding the U.S. approval of Nvidia's H20 chip exports to China, revealing varying political perspectives. It tackles the complex dynamics of export controls and national security concerns. Additionally, it examines the AI industry's mixed responses to the EU AI Code of Practice, highlighting compliance challenges and skepticism from major tech companies. The discussion also underscores the need for standardized safety protocols in AI, addressing the balance between innovation and regulation.

Michael Kratsios, the former Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, shares insights on the AI Action Plan initiated during the Trump administration. He discusses the U.S.'s strategic goals for artificial intelligence and the complexities of chip export policies amidst competition with China. Kratsios also highlights the differences in AI regulation between the U.S. and EU, the urgent need for reskilling workers for an AI-driven economy, and the role of the Center for AI Standards and Innovation in shaping industry practices.

In this special episode, we honor the life of Andrew Schwartz, Chief Communications Officer at CSIS and beloved  co-host of this podcast. Andrew was a mentor, a friend, and a tireless champion of the CSIS Wadhwani AI Center’s work. His humor, personal stories, and passion shaped this show and left a lasting impact on all of us. Our team, our community, and CSIS will miss him deeply.

Join Kyle Chan, a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton and RAND Corporation, as he delves into China's cutting-edge AI industrial policy. He breaks down how China's digital tech landscape evolved from imports to innovation, highlighting key companies like Alibaba. Discover the role of government guidance funds and how they fuel the growth of AI startups. Chan also discusses the competitive dynamics between Huawei and NVIDIA and China's ambition to become an AI superpower by 2025, exploring implications for global technological leadership.

A pivotal Senate vote has lifted the moratorium on state AI laws, sparking debates on regulation's future. The discussion highlights recent court rulings on copyright issues affecting AI training for major tech firms like Meta and Anthropic. Congressional hearings reveal AI's vital role in U.S.-China competition, stressing the importance of ensuring compliance with human values. Plus, concerns rise over DeepSeek's ties to the military and export control challenges, raising significant cybersecurity and privacy issues.

Miles Brundage, an AI policy researcher and former OpenAI head, joins Chris Rohlf, a cybersecurity expert at Meta with over two decades of experience. They dive into the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, exploring how AI reshapes offense and defense dynamics. The discussion highlights the risks of securing AI model weights, critiques 'AI security doomerism,' and underscores the need for policymakers to incentivize better security measures. Their insights illuminate the crucial intersection of technology, policy, and national security.

The U.S. AI Safety Institute has transformed into the Center for AI Standards and Innovation, pivoting from safety to robust AI development standards. A congressional hearing highlighted the critical role of export controls on AI chips, particularly amid U.S.-China tensions. Meanwhile, Meta announced a new AI superintelligence lab with a whopping $15 billion investment, sparking fierce competition in the tech landscape. The discussion dives into talent strategies and differentiates between superintelligence and artificial general intelligence, shedding light on future AI directions.

Ryan Tseng, Co-Founder and President of Shield AI, shares his journey from wireless charging to defense tech. He discusses the rise of AI-driven drone solutions amid the Ukraine conflict and the evolution of military strategy. Highlights include an innovative AI pilot system for dogfighting, the ambitious goal of producing over a million drones annually, and the importance of adapting procurement strategies to match the speed of technological innovation. Tseng emphasizes the role of cost-effective solutions in modern warfare and the need for agile practices within the Department of Defense.