China is killing the US on energy. Does that mean they’ll win AGI? - Casey Handmer

In this interview, Dwarkesh Patel interviews Casey Handmer about the industrial race between the U.S. and China, particularly in the context of AI development and energy production. They discuss China's manufacturing capabilities, capital allocation, and energy security, contrasting it with the U.S.'s potential for innovation and automation. The conversation explores the role of synthetic fuels, solar energy, and battery technology in leveling the playing field, as well as the impact of government regulations and export controls on the energy sector. Handmer argues that the U.S. can compete effectively in solar manufacturing and that solar energy will become the dominant power source for data centers due to its decreasing costs and increasing availability, despite current trends favoring natural gas. They also delve into the land requirements for solar farms, the potential for off-grid data centers, and the long-term vision of a civilization powered by abundant solar energy and AI.