Chris Kirchhoff, a founding member of the Defense Innovation Unit and former Obama NSC staffer, discusses his new book, Unit X. He dives into DIU’s fight against Pentagon bureaucracy, illustrating how they used ‘waiver authority’ to innovate. Kirchhoff critiques the defense industry’s slow adaptation to tech changes and advocates for increased funding to non-traditional companies. He also reflects on lessons from commercial spaceflight for AI governance and the need for a cultural shift in military strategy amid rising tech challenges.

Ben Schwartz, former director for national security at the CHIPS Program Office, dives into America's efforts to boost high-tech manufacturing through the CHIPS Act. He discusses the complex landscape of semiconductor policy, detailing the balance between economic growth and national security. Schwartz shares insights on funding negotiations and the importance of reshoring to counter China's dominance. He emphasizes the need for bipartisan support and effective data management in securing resilient supply chains for critical industries.

Will Lasry, founder of Glass Factory, discusses the complexities of clothing manufacturing, rising labor costs in China, unethical practices in the fashion industry, and the shift towards 'Made in India' chic. Irene Zhang co-hosts the episode, diving into the transparency in factory collaborations and marketing challenges in China.

Economist Arnab Datta and podcaster Matt Klein discuss JD Vance's views on currency, tariffs, and industrial policy. They also explore the evolution of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and its relevance in addressing critical minerals. Plus, they touch on parent corner and the challenge of podcast sponsorships.

Senator Todd Young from Indiana discusses tech legislation, Biden's woes, AI regulation, and the impact of Chinese espionage on high-skilled immigration. Highlighted topics include the Office of Global Competition Analysis, post-Chevron tech legislation, and the Senate's AI Policy Roadmap.

Eliot Cohen, Drew Lichtenberg, Kate Pitt, and Phil Schneider discuss how Shakespearean themes relate to Biden's presidency. They explore aging in leadership, political power struggles, and parallels between Shakespeare's characters and real-life politicians. The podcast delves into the complexities of power dynamics, identity, and decision-making in both literature and contemporary politics.

Guests from the Special Competitive Studies Project discuss strategies for US competitiveness in tech. Topics include public-private research partnerships, upgrading institutions with AI, the decline of gov't research, China's industrial espionage, and bureaucratic techniques for urgency.

CEO of Scale AI, Alex Wang, discusses barriers to AGI takeoff, China's position in the AI race, national security implications, preventing AI espionage, talent attraction challenges, building national AI production capability, transferable math skills, personal tea tier list, and US-China AI competition.

Cybersecurity expert Dmitri Alperovitch discusses avoiding a hot war with China, parallels between China and the Soviet Union, groupthink in Washington and Silicon Valley, economic relationship with China, military recommendations for Taiwan, and more in a talk about preventing Cold War II.

Jake Newby is the author of Concrete Avalanche, a free newsletter about music from China. Today, he's here to play you some of his favorite tracks from 2024 thus far — including everything from psychedelic rock to rare Uyghur folk, and from Beijing kawaii core to Tibetan Buddhist chants mixed with footwork.00:00:00 'Narcissus' Death' — Backspace (read more)00:05:38 '红喷泉' — Pepper Heart (read more)00:09:35 'Mail from the River' (live) — Wang Wen (read more)00:15:30 '她的力量来自海洋' — Yang Haisong & Wang Xiaofeng (read more)00:22:32 'Ollie' — 西红、CNdY (read more)00:26:43 'Lost in Bamboos' — Cola Ren (read more)00:30:38 'Southern Shanghai' — Voision Xi (read more)00:34:20 'Liquid' — Duck Fight Goose (read more)00:36:54 '玉林敬酒歌‘ — Run Run Run (read more)00:40:35 'Mountains in Yukashima' — Birdstriking (read more)00:45:38 'SonicBaby' — XIAOWANG (read more)00:48:25 'My Vagina' — Fakeorgasm (read more)00:50:25 'Mantra of Vajra Armour' — Howie Lee (read more)00:54:08 'Bash Bayawan Muqam' — Mekit Dolan Muqam Group (read more)00:59:13 'Μῆνιν ἄειδε, θεὰ παραμαινομένη ἐμοῦ...' — Ὁπλίτης (read more) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices