Your Undivided Attention · The Center for Humane Technology, Tristan Harris, Daniel Barcay and Aza Raskin

America and China Are Racing to Different AI Futures

December 18, 2025·58 min·5 clips

The Gaither Report was wrong about the missile gap—could we be repeating that error in the AI race with China?

This episode explores the AI race between the US and China, comparing it to historical Cold War dynamics like the missile gap. Guests Selina Xu and Matt Sheehan discuss misconceptions about China's AI strategy, highlighting differences in goals—with China focusing on practical applications versus the US pursuit of AGI—and the impact of US chip export controls. They also examine cultural attitudes, economic factors, and potential for international cooperation on AI safety.

As heard by us

A sober look at misread danger, policy momentum, and the force of convenience.

This episode uses Sputnik and the Gaither Report to show how fear can outrun the facts and harden into policy. It works best when it insists the point is not to excuse an adversary, but to show how a poor reading of the evidence can set the next move in motion.

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Why you'd press play

You want a sober AI-race story that starts with a historical warning, not a slogan.

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