4min snip

Dwarkesh Podcast cover image

Leopold Aschenbrenner - China/US Super Intelligence Race, 2027 AGI, & The Return of History

Dwarkesh Podcast

NOTE

Importance of Secrecy for Technological Advancement

Maintaining secrecy in technological advancements can provide a significant strategic advantage, as seen historically in the development of atomic bombs during World War II. The divergence in algorithmic progress and the lead the US has due to the publication of research papers and open-source code emphasize the importance of keeping certain advancements or methodologies confidential. While some aspects of technology may be relatively easy to grasp at a fundamental level, the intricate details and engineering work required for large-scale projects could give a competitive edge if kept secret. The anecdote of Germany's incorrect choice of heavy water over graphite due to secrecy and misinformation highlights the consequences of choosing the wrong technological path. Thus, there is a critical decision-making process between sharing scientific knowledge openly and ensuring some degree of secrecy to maintain a technological advantage.

00:00

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode