ChinaTalk

Mike Froman, President of the Council on Foreign Relations and former U.S. Trade Representative, dives into the relevance of his 1992 dissertation on détente and how it applies to U.S.-China relations today. He explores the shift from nuclear mutual assured destruction to economic dependencies like rare earths and technology. Froman discusses the complexities of trade normalization, the limits of cooperation in altering adversary behavior, and the ongoing challenges of U.S.-China economic interdependence, offering insights into strategies for resilience and coalition-building.

The hosts delve into the intricacies of the NDAA and its implications, discussing topics like AUKUS, Taiwan's support in IMF, and the role of DFC in countering adversarial capital. They explore the ethical dilemmas of super-soldier technologies and unpack enthralling topics such as icebreaker procurement and Arctic diplomacy. A hilarious pitch for a dark sitcom about deposed dictators spices up the conversation, alongside insights into elite corruption and the complexities of U.S.-China tech investment dynamics.

Nathan and Jasmine share lively tales from NeurIPS San Diego, highlighting its massive turnout and intense student hustle. They dive into the vibrant nightlife and their unforgettable boat party. The group discusses the stark pay disparity between industry and grad students, as well as the challenges of academic publishing. Sparks fly as they debate OpenAI's prospects and compare business models in AI. With quirky poster highlights and speculative growth plays, this conversation is a deep dive into the tech landscape post-conference.

Dmitri Alperovich, a cybersecurity and national security expert at the Silverado Policy Accelerator, discusses the implications of Trump's decision to export H200s to China. He warns this move could jeopardize U.S. military advantages and accelerate China's technological capabilities, particularly for Huawei. The conversation delves into NVIDIA's controversial stance on global innovation versus national security, and the necessity of prioritizing U.S. chip demands. Dmitri also highlights the geopolitical risks and potential shifts in global compute dominance stemming from this policy.

The hosts dive into the recent National Security Strategy, highlighting its focus on economic reindustrialization and accessibility. They debate the NSS's implications for international relations, particularly regarding Taiwan and China. There's a spirited discussion on the effectiveness of strategy documents versus actual political action. The second strike and its moral implications spark conversations about military accountability and congressional oversight. Attention also shifts to the cultural language in the NSS, drawing historical parallels and raising concerns about its potential misuse.

Helen Toner, Director of the Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) and former OpenAI board member, dives into AI policy and the evolving relations between technology and China. She shares her vision for CSET's future, emphasizing evidence-driven policymaking amidst the chaotic information landscape. Highlights include her intriguing concept of 'jagged progress' in AI capabilities and its implications for policy adaptability. Helen also discusses the challenges of US–China AI dialogue and the impact of new AI tools on research processes.

John Doyle, founder of Cape and former Green Beret, teams up with Dmitri Alperovitch, cybersecurity expert and CrowdStrike co-founder, to discuss the future of secure telecom. They delve into the value of telecom data, highlighting risks like SIM-swapping and the exploitation of cell networks in conflicts such as Ukraine. Doyle reveals Cape's innovative approach to privacy-first mobile networks, while Alperovitch analyzes telecom data weaponization by various actors and Taiwan's strategies against undersea cable sabotage.

The discussion dives into OpenAI's slipping dominance in the AI space, with hosts debating its recent model rankings and performance. Dylan shares his pitch to TSMC on AI infrastructure, while Doug explores parallels between 19th-century railroad bubbles and current AI funding dynamics. The episode touches on the reluctance of Chinese consumers to pay for software, and comedy ensues with insights on leadership and contemporary politics. The hosts also ponder the necessity of bubble inflation for achieving AGI, mixing in personal anecdotes for a well-rounded conversation.

In a lively conversation, Justin Mc, a seasoned geopolitical analyst, and Tony Stark, a military strategist, dissect the ambitious Witkoff/Trump peace plan for Ukraine. They analyze its historical parallels and skepticism regarding enforcement. Topics include the economic implications for Russia and China, the fragility of guarantees, and the challenges of US diplomacy. With insights on Russian military power and lessons from Syria, they also critique Europe's leadership and historical narratives, wrapping up with a humorous take on William Manchester's memoir.

Zixuan Li, Director of Product and genAI Strategy at Z.ai, dives into the innovative realms of Chinese AI. He discusses Z.ai's groundbreaking GLM 4.5 model and what makes it stand out, including its coding and role-playing capabilities. Zixuan also explores the quest for global recognition among Chinese AI firms, highlighting the critical role of open-source models. He shares insights on the balance of optimism and fear in public attitudes towards AI and the unique cultural aspects of AI development in China. It's a fascinating look at the intersection of technology and society.