Episode Description
In Part 2 of our conversation with Alvin Wang Graylin — Professor of AI and Tech Policy at the University of Washington and author of Our Next Reality — the discussion turns to AI and the US-China relationship. Alvin argues that the framing of an 'AI race' between the two superpowers is both inaccurate and counterproductive, explains why US export controls have backfired, and explores how China's AI development has taken a distinctly different path — focused more on industrial adoption than the pursuit of AGI. He also discusses regulatory differences, why Chinese citizens are more optimistic about AI than Americans, his assessment of the Xi-Trump summit's AI safety discussions, and what he would tell policymakers in both countries if given the chance.
Topics Covered
· Why the 'AI race' framing is inaccurate and unhelpful
· How US export controls have backfired and accelerated Chinese AI development
· China's focus on industrial AI adoption vs. the US pursuit of AGI — implications of the difference
· How China and the US regulate AI differently
· Why Chinese people are more optimistic about AI than Americans
· The Xi-Trump summit and its AI safety discussions — steps forward or insufficient?
· What Alvin would tell US and Chinese policymakers on AI safety policy today
About the Guest
Alvin Wang Graylin (汪丛青) is a Professor of AI and Tech Policy at the University of Washington and holds fellowships at the Asia Society and the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence. He is the author of Our Next Reality and a prolific writer on AI, US-China relations, and global technology policy. His career has spanned HTC (China President), Intel, IBM, Trend Micro, and four venture-backed startups. He writes on Substack at The Abundanist.
Where to Find Alvin
Substack: The Abundanist
Book: Our Next Reality (Hachette Book Group)
University of Washington — Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science
About The Negotiation
The Negotiation is WPIC Marketing + Technologies' podcast on doing business in China. Hosted by Todd Embley, it features conversations with the executives, analysts, and experts navigating the world's most complex consumer market.
What is The Negotiation?
Despite being the world’s most potent economic area, Asia can be one of the most challenging regions to navigate and manage well for foreign brands. However, plenty of positive stories exist and more are emerging every day as brands start to see success in engaging and deploying appropriate market growth strategies – with the help of specialists.
The Negotiation is an interview show that showcases those hard-to-find success stories and chats with the incredible leaders behind them, teasing out the nuances and digging into the details that can make market growth in APAC a winning proposition.