Friends,
This week I turned my recent China visit into a New York Times essay, extending the debate I had on The Spillover podcast with my brilliant CFR colleague Chris McGuire. Predictably, the suggestion of an AI version of a nuclear nonproliferation deal with China spawned a tsunami of comment, as did the suggestion that the chip-export controls are not working well enough to justify their opportunity cost. If reading my essay doesn't sate you and you can stomach X, there is a thoughtful thread here.
This is a complex debate but a vital one. As Anthropic's new Mythos Preview model demonstrates, AI has reached the point where it cannot be allowed to fall into the hands of rogue states and terrorists. We need to restrict open-source releases, and even destabilizing proprietary releases. But if we do this and China doesn't, the world won't be safer.
In other news, I enjoyed a stage appearance with Demis Hassabis in London. Proving the national-treasure status of my subject, the 1000-seat theater was sold out and the line stretched around the block. Demis was in full flow. You can see a clip here. |
And meanwhile in the new episode of The Spillover, Rebecca interviews former New York Fed President Bill Dudley. I highly recommend it. As ever, if you like or comment on the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, it will help us build an audience. Warm wishes to all.
Sebastian |
Sebastian Mallaby
Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow in International Economics
Council on Foreign Relations |
