China's DeepSeek Moment — a talk given April 17 2025 at Carnegie Mellon

This episode explores the recurring surprise in the United States regarding China's technological advancements, particularly the "DeepSeek moment," and examines the underlying reasons for this astonishment. It argues that American exceptionalism, with its belief in the universal applicability of its values and the inherent link between democracy and innovation, is challenged by China's rapid rise as a multidimensional competitor. Against the backdrop of export controls intended to slow China's progress, the talk suggests these policies have instead fueled Chinese innovation and investment. More significantly, the discussion highlights how China's success has dismantled key pillars of American exceptionalism, including the belief that a successful market economy requires a democratic political system and that political freedom is a prerequisite for innovation. The talk contrasts America's growing techno-pessimism with China's persistent techno-optimism, noting the impact of societal attitudes on technological development and diffusion. The episode concludes by urging a shift towards strategic empathy and international cooperation to manage the relationship with a rising technological peer, emphasizing the high stakes involved, from national security to climate change.