ChinaTalk

Pablo Chavez, a Fellow at CNAS and former VP at Google Cloud, joins Kevin Xu, founder of Interconnected, to delve into the complex world of AI governance and digital sovereignty. They discuss how lawmakers can differentiate between good and bad AI and explore China’s Great Firewall as a lesson for digital sovereignty. The conversation highlights the geopolitical competition shaping national AI strategies and the promise and peril of open-source technologies, revealing how these trends may redefine the future of global tech.

Nathan Lambert, a Bay Area-based CS PhD and writer for the Interconnects newsletter, joins to discuss the psyche of AI engineers in Silicon Valley and what Washington should understand about it. He explores the advancements of GPT-40 and the implications of Google's AI Dev Day, emphasizing the race for innovation. The conversation delves into the contrasting cultures of OpenAI and Google, the importance of user-centric design in AI, and how increased computational power reshapes organizational dynamics. It's a deep yet engaging dive into the current state and future of AI.

Douglas Irwin, a Dartmouth professor and author of 'Clashing Over Commerce,' dives into 250 years of U.S. trade policy. He highlights the flawed logic behind the Tariff Act of 1930, revealing alarming parallels to today's political thinking. Irwin also shares insights on 'tariff engineering,' explaining how Honda cleverly circumvented high tariffs. The conversation spans key historical events, from the Great Depression to Reagan's contradictory policies, shedding light on the intricate and often contentious nature of American trade dynamics.

Brad Setser, an expert on international finance from the Council on Foreign Relations, dives deep into Biden's new tariffs and their impact on U.S.-China relations. He discusses the complexities of U.S. trade policies and how they adapt to China's rise in electric vehicle manufacturing. Setser highlights the challenges of U.S. reliance on Chinese imports, particularly in the battery sector, and examines vulnerabilities in the supply chain for critical materials. The conversation cleverly mixes serious economic analysis with light-hearted musings about diplomacy and nostalgia.

Charles Clancy, CTO of MITRE, brings insights on national science and technology strategy. He discusses how MITRE supports government agencies while addressing the growing threats to America’s infrastructure from China. Clancy highlights the alarming cybersecurity workforce gap and suggests that AI could be a key solution. The conversation also dives into the evolution of R&D funding and stresses the importance of collaboration among academia, startups, and government to drive innovation in technology.

Viola Zhou, a journalist at Rest of World, dives into TSMC's ambitious expansion to Arizona. She discusses the cultural clashes faced by Taiwanese engineers adapting to American work environments, revealing tales of rigid hierarchies and surprising workplace quirks. The conversation touches on the challenges of integrating diverse teams in manufacturing and draws parallels with Foxconn's venture into India. Furthermore, they explore the potential impact of adapting to U.S. workplace culture on TSMC’s future success in the Valley.

Join Raja Mohan, a columnist and researcher specializing in India-China relations, and James Crabtree, author of "The Billionaire Raj," as they dissect the future of India-China interactions amidst a turbulent election season. They explore the deeper implications of border disputes, Modi's democratic prospects, and the evolving roles of the US and India in a complex geopolitical landscape. The discussion touches on economic ties and potential friction points, all while reflecting on the intricate historical backdrop that frames these relationships.

Devin DeBacker and Lee Licata from the DOJ tackle urgent national security concerns as they focus on protecting American data from foreign threats. They reveal how adversaries might exploit obscure data types like geolocation and genomic information. The discussion highlights China's purchase of sensitive genomic data and the challenges posed by black box data brokers. They also share insights on new regulatory plans for data protection and the potential hurdles posed by political gridlock in Congress.

Ryan Takeshita, Chief Global Editor at PIVOT, sheds light on Japan's tech renaissance, shaped by a desire for innovation among younger workers. He discusses the cultural shift from traditional jobs to startups fueled by social media influence. The conversation highlights Japan's strategic investments in semiconductors and the challenges of an aging population. Takeshita also addresses changing media landscapes and the impact of American social media on local culture, revealing a nation adapting to rapid global changes.

Kazuto Suzuki, a Professor at the University of Tokyo and advisor on Japan’s economic policy, dives into the nation's evolving economic security landscape. He discusses Japan's new national security laws and their impact on global semiconductor supply chains. Highlights include historical lessons on economic coercion, the interplay of Japan's export controls with U.S. demands, and ambitious plans for space commercialization. Co-host Arrian Ebrahimi adds insights on the geopolitics of East Asia, making this a compelling conversation on economic resilience.