The US-China Tech Race

Allison Nathan hosts a discussion on the tech race between the U.S. and China, featuring Mark Kennedy and Paul Triolo. Kennedy outlines the four arenas of the tech race: technology leadership, application, digital infrastructure, and self-sufficiency, noting the U.S.'s lead in core technologies but China's progress in applications and global installations. He emphasizes China's deliberate strategies for independence and the importance of rare earth minerals. Triolo discusses the complexities of the semiconductor supply chain, highlighting critical choke points like advanced lithography and the role of companies like ASML and TSMC. Both guests agree that while the U.S. currently holds advantages, China's focused investments, STEM education, and government support pose a significant challenge, particularly in AI development and deployment, with China's open-source models gaining traction. The conversation concludes that the outcome of the tech race remains uncertain, with potential scenarios where each country leads in different aspects.