ChinaTalk

Sergey Radchenko, author of "To Run the World: The Kremlin’s Bid for Global Power," explores the motivations and absurdities of Soviet and Chinese leaders in their pursuit of global prestige. He delves into Stalin's colonial ambitions, Khrushchev's economic failures, and the complex Sino-Soviet relations shaped by Cold War dynamics. The discussion offers intriguing anecdotes, including humorous interactions between leaders and insights into the historical significance of legitimacy in international politics. Radchenko’s perspective reshapes our understanding of past and present global power struggles.

Ben Della Rocca, former director for technology and national security on Biden's NSC, along with Arnab Datta and Tim Fist from IFP, discuss the urgent need for robust AI infrastructure in the U.S. They dive into the challenges of new power generation amidst soaring demand for compute and the implications of a 2025 executive order. The conversation reveals the potential of geothermal energy, the pitfalls of financing green power solutions, and the importance of prioritizing AI lab security against emerging threats.

Join Rohit Krishnan, author of Strange Loop Canon, Shawn Wang, editor of Latent Space, and Dean Ball, contributor to Mercatus, as they dive into the AI sensation Manus. They discuss Manus's capabilities and its potential to outshine existing competitors. The conversation explores the political and economic implications of AI autonomy, the shift toward practical applications over theoretical models, and the future landscape of AI ethics. With engaging insights, they highlight the importance of innovation intertwined with user safety in the rapidly evolving tech world.

Shashank Joshi, a Defense editor at The Economist renowned for his Ukraine coverage, teams up with Michael Horowitz, a Penn professor and former defense official specializing in AI. They delve into Ukraine's battlefield prospects, debating political cohesion and defense capacity. The discussion turns to Trump's shifting stance on Putin and its implications. They also explore how AI, particularly through 'precise mass' tactics, revolutionizes modern warfare. The pair emphasize the incremental nature of AI advancements in combat and the enduring challenges in defense innovation.

Eddie Fishman, a former civil servant at the State Department and adjunct professor at Columbia, discusses his book on U.S. sanctions policy. He explores whether sanctions truly work, providing historical insights from cases like Iran and Russia. The conversation highlights how the U.S. dollar evolved into a pivotal economic tool through deals with Saudi Arabia. Fishman also critiques the challenges in current economic warfare strategies against China, shedding light on the complexities of governance and the role of key policymakers in shaping these strategies.

Andrei Iancu, former director of the US Patent Office, discusses the dramatic shift in the patent landscape, where China now leads in patent acquisitions, raising alarm bells for US innovation. He highlights the complex balance between inventors' rights and public access to innovations. The conversation also touches on how congressional inaction is stifling AI progress and the potential impact of new bills. Iancu speculates on future reforms in patent law under political influences, including Trump's potential strategies for strengthening US intellectual property.

David C. Kang, a professor at the Korean Studies Institute at USC and co-author of "Beyond Power Transitions," explores how imperial China's history informs current East Asian geopolitics. He discusses the concept of great power peace in East Asia compared to Europe’s conflicts. Kang delves into the implications of historical interactions, why certain territories were conquered while others were not, and the potential for avoiding war in the Taiwan Strait. He also examines contemporary responses to China's rise and challenges the inevitability of a U.S.-China conflict.

Join Dylan Patel, co-founder of SemiAnalysis and semiconductor whiz, alongside tech analyst Jon from Asianometry, as they dive into the wild world of AI and tech capital expenditure. They rank major players in the AI arena, comparing successes and failures, and discuss how companies like Google and OpenAI stack up. The episode also features humorous takes on innovation, organizational dynamics, and even future leadership scenarios. Expect lively banter on trends, rivalries, and the quirks of the tech universe!

Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic and an expert in AI safety, dives deep into the AI innovation race between the US and China. He discusses the implications of China's DeepSeek and the need for updated export controls to manage AI risks. Dario highlights potential threats like AI espionage and bioweapon discussions. He raises compelling questions about how AI could influence democracy—balancing innovation with ethical responsibilities. The conversation underscores the complexities of global AI governance and the imperative for equitable distribution.

In this engaging discussion, Kevin Xu, a contributor to Interconnected and former GitHub employee, delves into the dynamics of DeepSeek, an innovative AI research lab. He explores how DeepSeek's unique hiring practices foster a culture of creativity, contrasting it with traditional tech companies. The conversation touches on the challenges facing China's AI sector amid U.S.-China tensions and export controls. Xu also highlights the blend of nationalism and open-source values driving innovation in China, setting the stage for future U.S.-China relations.