ChinaTalk

Matt Sheehan, an expert on Chinese AI regulatory policy, dives deep into how various sectors influence AI regulations in China. He discusses the balance between state control and innovation, revealing the evolving regulatory framework that shapes the tech landscape. Sheehan emphasizes the importance of public sentiment and academia in driving policy changes, especially surrounding algorithm biases and recommendation systems. He also highlights the growing international awareness among Chinese scholars of global AI policies, paving the way for future collaborations.

Joseph Scheier-Dolberg, a Chinese paintings curator at the Met, dives into the fascinating world of premodern Chinese art. He shares insights on how young artists developed their skills through mentorship and family backgrounds. The discussion highlights the unique artistic collaboration between Zhao Mengfu and his wife, showcasing their creative legacy. Further, Scheier-Dolberg contrasts Chinese and Western art critique traditions, explores the impact of AI on art appreciation, and examines the evolving landscape of artistic expression in historical contexts.

Emily Benson, an expert in technology policy at CSIS, and Martin Chorzempa, a fellow at PIIE specializing in economic policy, dive into the intricacies of new outbound investment screening rules. They discuss the Biden administration's cautious stance towards China amidst fears over tech dominance. The duo highlights bipartisan efforts on regulating investments in semiconductors and AI, while exploring the balance between national security and technological advancement. Their conversation also includes a light-hearted take on the bureaucratic challenges of these regulations.

Matt Goodman, a senior VP of economics at CSIS, and fellow Matt Reynolds, alongside David Talbot from the Milken Institute, delve into the rising tide of Chinese economic coercion. They discuss why China targets smaller nations and propose a united democratic front for deterrence. Emphasizing resilience over retaliation, they explore how alliances can reshape responses to aggression. The conversation ignites curiosity about integrating trade agreements to counteract China's influence and highlights the impact of these strategies on international stability.

Discover the vibrant indie music scene in China, featuring a curated playlist that showcases exciting new sounds. Dive into collaboration with the Shanghai group Eating Music, celebrating friendship through thematic albums. Explore the emotional depth of tracks like Qin Ming's and the remix of VM's 'Man O' War.' Delve into the evolution of Hualun, merging post-rock with ambient influences, and get a taste of China's indie metal through the powerful music of Hoplites, addressing pressing social issues. Experience a cultural tapestry of sound!

Jane Pinelis, Chief AI Engineer at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, and Karson Elmgren, a researcher at CSET, dive into the complexities of AI integration in the military. They discuss the urgent need for AI assurance in defense, contrasting agile methodologies used in recent conflicts with bureaucratic challenges. The conversation also explores transparency and trust in AI systems, emphasizing the importance of human-AI collaboration and risk assessment as critical factors in military operations and decision-making.

In this conversation, Matt Brazil, a Senior China analyst at BluePath Labs and expert on Chinese politics, delves into the sudden removal of Qin Gang as China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. He discusses the intriguing connections between journalists and elite university access, and how these relationships intertwine with political power. The chat also touches on the role of the Ministry of State Security and its implications for diplomacy. Brazil sheds light on historical patterns within the CCP and highlights the intricacies of China's opaque political landscape.

ChinaTalk welcomes Taiwan expert and Hoover research fellow Kharis Templeman. This episode is all things 2024 Taiwan elections — slated for January 13, 2024.In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Kharis is the program manager of the Project on Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific, and previously was the program manager of the Taiwan Democracy and Security Project.In this show, we discuss: The frontrunners’ profiles — Lai Ching-te 賴清德, Hou Yu-ih 侯友宜, and Ko Wen-je 柯文哲 — and what makes this three-way race different from previous elections; Why the KMT’s nomination process was somewhat quirky this time around; The importance of party unity, and why some Taiwanese political parties have failed to unify in past election cycles; What’s on Taiwanese voters’ minds — beyond national-security concerns; The CCP’s preferred winner — plus if and how any PRC-based interference may manifest over the coming months; Why Taiwan’s election system is “unhackable”; What to make of the spread of disinformation and hyper-partisanship in Taiwan’s domestic media; And some pro tips on escaping the DC bubble and understanding the Taiwanese populace. Outro music: Bubble Tea, by Mango Street Papa 芒果街老爸Check out our newsletter, too! https://www.chinatalk.media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Helveston, a GWU professor and expert on technology and innovation policy, dives deep into the explosive growth of China's electric vehicle (EV) industry. He discusses how supportive state policies, cultural dynamics, and homegrown manufacturers have propelled China to dominate global EV sales. The conversation also highlights the stark differences in EV adoption between China and the U.S., examining infrastructure, consumer behavior, and the impact of regulatory challenges on American carmakers. Key insights on boosting EV adoption through strategic planning are shared.

Matt Lynley, author of the Supervised News substack, and Danny Crichton, head of editorial at Lux Capital, dive deep into the future of AI beyond OpenAI. They discuss the critical balance between open-source and closed-source models, and the implications of government involvement in AI's development. The role of companies like Hugging Face in the tech landscape is highlighted, alongside the risks associated with open-source software. They also analyze the dominance of leading language models and the shifting power dynamics in AI research.