E91: Trump, AI, and US-China Relations with Samuel Hammond and Nathan Labenz

"Moment of Zen"

In this episode of Moment of Zen, Erik Torenberg is joined by Samuel Hammond (@hamandcheese), a senior economist at the Foundation for American Innovation and AI Scout/ Cognitive Revolution podcast host Nathan Labenz (@labenz). From drug innovation to nuclear risk, they discuss the impact of AI on policy and governance, exploring the challenges and opportunities of a Trump vs. Harris presidency.

From drug innovation to nuclear risk, they dissect the impact of AI on policy and governance, exploring the challenges and opportunities of a Trump vs. Harris presidency.

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LINKS:

Samuel Hammond Essays

* The EA case for Trump 2024:

https://www.secondbest.ca/p/the-ea-case-for-trump-2024

* AI and Leviathan: Part I:

https://www.secondbest.ca/p/ai-and-leviathan-part-i

* A Manhattan Project for AI Safety:

https://www.secondbest.ca/p/a-manhattan-project-for-ai-safety

Books:

* Asymmetric Politics: How the New Right Became Resurgent in American Politics by Matthew Grossmann and David Hopkins

* The New Class War by Michael Lind

* The Great Stagnation by Tyler Cowen

* The Singularity Is Near by Ray Kurzweil

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FOLLOW US ON X:

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@hamandcheese (Samuel)

@labenz (Nathan)

@turpentinemedia (Turpentine)

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:08) Samuel's Perspective on Trump: Focus on Innovation

(03:54) Nathan's Perspective on Trump: Focus on Tail Risks

(07:55) Governing Philosophies and Party Structures

(14:53) The Need for Understanding AI on Its Own Terms

(20:48) The Potential for AI to Reform the Administrative State

(21:38) Sponsor: Babbel | WorkOS

(29:34) The Dissonance Between Idealism and Reality

(32:33) Sponsor: NetSuite| Squad

(37:54) The Potential for a Crisis-Driven AI Policy

(48:56) The Case for a Trump Administration in Light of Past Policies

(1:13:20) The Risks of an AI Arms Race

(1:28:28) The Potential for a Shared AI Future

(1:47:56) The Need for a Pause in AI Development

(1:57:02) The Limits of Individual Leadership and the Importance of Institutional Change

(1:58:17) The Hypothetical Scenario of Trump Ordering a Nuclear Strike

(2:02:02) The Need for Outsider Leadership