Betting on America: Winning the Global Tech Race
- Episodes
- 42
- Released
- every two weeks
- Latest episode
- Nov 13, 2026
About the podcast
Betting on America: Winning the Global Tech Race explores how new and emerging partnerships between government and business are shaping the future of U.S. industrialization and the country’s prospects for winning the global tech race. Betting on America will dive into strategies and investments that government and business are pursuing together – sharing risks and generating returns – as they bet on the innovation, commercialization, and scaling of critical and emerging technologies across the country. These include climate technologies, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum, bio technologies, and more. The podcast will feature in-depth discussions with policymakers, experts, and industry leaders on the most complex policy questions of the day. Hosted by Navin Girishankar, President, CSIS Economic Security & Technology Department.
Episodes 42
AI and Economic Security
Join us for a special episode of Betting on America, looking back on a year in which AI moved from a technology story to a policy and political issue. This episode brings together some of the most compelling …
Show notes
Join us for a special episode of Betting on America, looking back on a year in which AI moved from a technology story to a policy and political issue. This episode brings together some of the most compelling insights from leaders across government, business, academia, and the investment community. They assess whether AI will deliver as a general-purpose technology and who stands to benefit. AI's role in development in the Global South is explored, along with how to manage emerging risks, from agentic cyber threats to AI safety. As a new Congress prepares to take office, these questions will only grow in importance.
Is Maritime Electrification the Future of American Shipbuilding? Featuring Ryan Cook, Co-Founder & CTO of Arc
Ryan Cook, co-founder and chief technology officer of Arc, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to discuss America's maritime electrification opportunity. In this conversation, they discuss the …
Show notes
Ryan Cook, co-founder and chief technology officer of Arc, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to discuss America's maritime electrification opportunity. In this conversation, they discuss the potential recreational, commercial, and defense applications of electric boats. They also examine constraints to rebuilding America’s maritime capability, and lessons learned for reindustrialization, innovation, and supply chain resilience.
Standards and Statecraft: Featuring Laurie E. Locascio, Ph.D. NAE, President and CEO of the American National Standards Institute
Laurie E. Locascio, Ph.D. NAE, president and CEO of the American National Standards Institute and former director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, joins Betting on America to make the case …
Show notes
Laurie E. Locascio, Ph.D. NAE, president and CEO of the American National Standards Institute and former director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, joins Betting on America to make the case that sustaining U.S. standards leadership requires playing the long game. Standards-setting is how governments, industry, and experts agree on common rules, from defining a meter, to determining how a phone connects to Wi-Fi. Standards are increasingly central to the modern economy, and China and other countries are ratcheting up efforts to shape them. Locascio argues that the U.S. government should incentivize companies to pursue long-term standards goals and ensure that the best U.S. technical diplomats have seats at the tables where global standards are set.
Technology Is Security: Anne Neuberger, General Partner, Head of Global Affairs, a16z
Anne Neuberger, General Partner and Head of Global Affairs at a16z and former Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology, joins Betting on America to make the case that technology …
Show notes
Anne Neuberger, General Partner and Head of Global Affairs at a16z and former Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology, joins Betting on America to make the case that technology leadership is security. She argues that sustaining leadership has become increasingly challenging as acceleration technologies like AI, robotics, quantum, and cyber converge, creating significant upsides for innovation but also downside risks. These technology disruptions will require policymakers, investors, and our alliances to adapt rapidly.
Can AI and Reindustrialization Open New Pathways to Wealth for All?
Join us for an episode of Betting on America, featuring a panel discussion on the AI revolution, reindustrialization, and new pathways to Black wealth. The panel was moderated by Joint Center President Dedrick …
Show notes
Join us for an episode of Betting on America, featuring a panel discussion on the AI revolution, reindustrialization, and new pathways to Black wealth. The panel was moderated by Joint Center President Dedrick Asante-Muhammad and featured Dr. Nicol Turner Lee of the Brookings Institution, Chanelle Hardy of Google, and Navin Girishankar of CSIS. The panel explored the risks and opportunities presented by AI and America’s reindustrialization, with a focus on how to ensure AI-driven growth becomes a pathway to greater opportunity and wealth creation for all.
An International Call to Action on 6G
Join us for a special episode of Betting on America, featuring the recent CSIS-hosted “International Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security” with the U.S. Department of Commerce, a leader in advancing …
Show notes
Join us for a special episode of Betting on America, featuring the recent CSIS-hosted “International Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security” with the U.S. Department of Commerce, a leader in advancing secure, trusted, and innovative wireless technologies. Deputy Secretary Paul Dabbar, German Ambassador to the United States Jens Hanefeld, and Assistant Secretary Arielle Roth kicked off the convening, bringing together representatives from 25 governments and industry leaders to explore why 6G will be critical for the AI race, critical infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing — and why the United States cannot build the ecosystem alone.
Democratizing Discovery: Featuring Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, Former Director of the National Science Foundation
Former Director of the National Science Foundation Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan joins Navin Girishankar to discuss how the United States can democratize discovery and unlock the "missing millions" of untapped …
Show notes
Former Director of the National Science Foundation Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan joins Navin Girishankar to discuss how the United States can democratize discovery and unlock the "missing millions" of untapped scientific and engineering talent. Dr. Panchanathan reflects on his tenure leading NSF and why expanding opportunity is central to America's innovation advantage. He explains how AI can broaden access to education and research, why public-private "hyper-partnering" is reshaping scientific discovery, and how to balance openness with research security.
Is the United States Winning the Fusion Race? Featuring Bob Mumgaard
Bob Mumgaard, co-founder and CEO of Commonwealth Fusion Systems, joins Navin Girishankar to discuss whether fusion can usher in an era of virtually limitless clean energy—and whether the United States will lead …
Show notes
Bob Mumgaard, co-founder and CEO of Commonwealth Fusion Systems, joins Navin Girishankar to discuss whether fusion can usher in an era of virtually limitless clean energy—and whether the United States will lead the way. Bob explains the technology, key commercial milestones, the race with China, the path from experimental reactors to the electric grid, and why fusion could transform AI, manufacturing, and national power. He also discusses how to balance scientific openness with research security and how the United States can cultivate the talent needed to lead the next energy revolution.
Opportunity and Security in the AI Economy: Featuring Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove
Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) joins Navin Girishankar to discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by AI and the broader reindustrialization process. She explores how to ensure that …
Show notes
Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) joins Navin Girishankar to discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by AI and the broader reindustrialization process. She explores how to ensure that historically underserved communities benefit from technological transformation and shares her views on the U.S. trade agenda, its implications for the Indo-Pacific, and the importance of strong export controls.
Beyond P(doom): Marc Andreessen
Marc Andreessen, Co-founder and General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, joins Betting on America to press past the settled question of whether AI is going to transform our world. They explore more substantive …
Show notes
Marc Andreessen, Co-founder and General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, joins Betting on America to press past the settled question of whether AI is going to transform our world. They explore more substantive questions: who bears the cost, can our institutions absorb disruptions, and what government and the private sector must each do to ensure the gains are broad and the losses are survivable.
Tune in for a wide-ranging conversation on the economic, social, and geopolitical implications of the AI revolution with one of the nation's leading technologists and investors—now advising the President as a member of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST).
Electricity Whenever You Want It: Featuring Mateo Jaramillo, Co-Founder and CEO of Form Energy
Co-founder and CEO of Form Energy, Mateo Jaramillo, joins Navin Girishankar to discuss the challenge of building long-duration energy storage from the ground up. He explores iron-air batteries as a scalable and …
Show notes
Co-founder and CEO of Form Energy, Mateo Jaramillo, joins Navin Girishankar to discuss the challenge of building long-duration energy storage from the ground up. He explores iron-air batteries as a scalable and bankable innovation, the precision manufacturing process required to bring this technology to market, and why West Virginia was the right place to build. He also reflects on the evolving role of government, the investor base backing the effort, and the lessons learned at the frontier of U.S. reindustrialization.
Commercial Diplomacy for U.S. Tech Exports
Join us for an episode of Betting on America, recorded at the CSIS Futures Summit. Navin Girishankar moderates the panel "U.S. Commercial Diplomacy Through the Lens of the Private Sector," joined by Cynthia …
Show notes
Join us for an episode of Betting on America, recorded at the CSIS Futures Summit. Navin Girishankar moderates the panel "U.S. Commercial Diplomacy Through the Lens of the Private Sector," joined by Cynthia Conner, Senior Manager for International Policy at Chevron; Nicole Issac, Vice President of Global Public Policy at Cisco; and Katherine F. Pickus, Chief Sustainability Officer at ADM. They discuss where U.S. commercial interests and countries’ development goals come together, the constraints U.S. companies face in emerging markets, what effective commercial diplomacy looks like, and why getting this right matters.
Solidarity in an Era of Economic Competition: Featuring Rep. Ami Bera
Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA) joins Navin Girishankar to discuss the importance of reviving economic alliances amid rising global threats. He explains the roots of today’s economic security challenges, as well as …
Show notes
Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA) joins Navin Girishankar to discuss the importance of reviving economic alliances amid rising global threats. He explains the roots of today’s economic security challenges, as well as the dual goal of achieving balanced economic integration with countries like Japan, Korea, and India while rebuilding the U.S. domestic industrial base. He highlights his legislative efforts to strengthen critical minerals supply chain resilience through economic security pacts in the Global South. He also explores opportunities for AI in healthcare and emphasizes the need for all Americans to contribute to the nation’s economic security goals.
Can AI Accelerate Scientific Discovery? Featuring Under Secretary Darío Gil
Under Secretary Darío Gil joins Navin Girishankar to discuss the Genesis Mission—a Department of Energy–led initiative to build an AI-driven platform for accelerating scientific discovery. Under Secretary Gil …
Show notes
Under Secretary Darío Gil joins Navin Girishankar to discuss the Genesis Mission—a Department of Energy–led initiative to build an AI-driven platform for accelerating scientific discovery. Under Secretary Gil outlines the Mission's integration of AI, supercomputing and quantum technologies for scientific exploration, alongside institutional innovations such as public-private partnerships and interagency coordination. He also addresses research security, allied collaboration, and the long-term vision to revitalize the U.S. science and technology enterprise.
The Imperative of Renewal featuring Senator David McCormick
Senator David McCormick (R-PA) joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to discuss the urgency of economic renewal in the face of myriad challenges to national power. In this wide‑ranging conversation …
Show notes
Senator David McCormick (R-PA) joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to discuss the urgency of economic renewal in the face of myriad challenges to national power. In this wide‑ranging conversation, Senator McCormick discusses the AI revolution, U.S. trade policy, defense tech innovation, and workforce issues. He reflects on Pennsylvania’s experience and its potential to offer lessons for the country as a whole.
Confronting the China Challenge
Join us for a special episode of Betting on America, recorded live at the 42nd Annual National Association for Business Economics Policy Conference. Navin joins the panel, “Industrial Policy and Economic …
Show notes
Join us for a special episode of Betting on America, recorded live at the 42nd Annual National Association for Business Economics Policy Conference. Navin joins the panel, “Industrial Policy and Economic Security: Confronting the China Challenge,” alongside Oliver Melton, Director of Rhodium Group’s China practice; Laura Taylor-Kale, Senior Fellow for Geoeconomics and Defense at the Council on Foreign Relations; Randall G. Schriver, Chair of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission; and Tani Fukui, Senior Director of Global Economics and Market Strategy at MetLife Investment Management, to discuss what it will take to secure U.S. leadership in the long-term competition with China.
This event is made possible through support from the National Association for Business Economics.
America's Tech Long Game featuring Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Sen. Todd Young (R-IN)
Join us for a special episode of Betting on America from a recent live CSIS event featuring Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Senator Todd Young (R-NC), discussing what it will take to secure U.S. technology …
Show notes
Join us for a special episode of Betting on America from a recent live CSIS event featuring Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Senator Todd Young (R-NC), discussing what it will take to secure U.S. technology leadership in the long-term competition with China. The discussion highlights bipartisan priorities for strengthening critical supply chains, accelerating innovation, and building resilient ecosystems in an era of strategic rivalry.
The event also marked the launch of the Tech Edge Report—a flagship publication from CSIS’s Economic Security and Technology Department. The report introduces a new framework for assessing U.S. and Chinese technology ecosystems and kicks-off a multi-year research effort to inform and shape policy on the drivers of long-term advantage in the U.S.-China technology competition.
Reimagining the American City Featuring Jan Sramek, Founder and CEO of California Forever
Jan Sramek, CEO of California Forever, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to discuss how his company is reimagining the American city, how the U.S. can rediscover its ability to build, and why it is …
Show notes
Jan Sramek, CEO of California Forever, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to discuss how his company is reimagining the American city, how the U.S. can rediscover its ability to build, and why it is vital for U.S. economic security. In this conversation, they explore what it takes to build a city from scratch, and how government, business, and labor can work together to build the factories of the future.
New Pathways to Prosperity ft. Paul Ryan, fmr Speaker of the U.S. House of Reps
Paul Ryan, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America for a wide-ranging conversation on the big forces shaping politics and policy—competing populisms …
Show notes
Paul Ryan, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America for a wide-ranging conversation on the big forces shaping politics and policy—competing populisms, U.S. trade policy and its discontents, out-of-control fiscal deficits, the future of the U.S. dollar, and the tech race with China. Speaker Ryan shares his thoughts not only on the challenges but also on potential solutions to set the United States on a forward path to shared prosperity.
American Leadership in the World Featuring Governor David Beasley
David Beasley, former South Carolina governor and former executive director of the World Food Programme, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to share lessons on U.S. global leadership for a new era of …
Show notes
David Beasley, former South Carolina governor and former executive director of the World Food Programme, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to share lessons on U.S. global leadership for a new era of economic security. They discuss his experience leading the WFP and negotiating in conflict zones, along with his views on the role of the U.S. private sector in the Global South, addressing domestic inequality, and competing with China on values.
Federal Statistics for Economic Security featuring U.S. Chief Statistician Mark Calabria
Join us for a special episode of Betting on America from a recent live CSIS event featuring Dr. Mark Calabria, Chief Statistician of the United States, alongside leading experts from government, industry, and …
Show notes
Join us for a special episode of Betting on America from a recent live CSIS event featuring Dr. Mark Calabria, Chief Statistician of the United States, alongside leading experts from government, industry, and the research community. The discussion examines what it will take to build a modern statistical system—one that is accurate, credible, and capable of supporting America’s economic security in a more competitive and fast-moving world.
Watch the full event here.
Investing in American Dynamism featuring David Ulevitch, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz
David Ulevitch, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to discuss the American Dynamism Fund and the growing trend of national interest investing. They discuss how …
Show notes
David Ulevitch, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to discuss the American Dynamism Fund and the growing trend of national interest investing. They discuss how these venture investors are looking for returns in sectors that will drive U.S. competitiveness and national security. Ulevitch shares his views on the U.S.-China technology competition and the feasibility of a sovereign wealth fund.
The Security of Everything featuring Henry McVey, Partner and CIO of KKR’s Balance Sheet
Henry McVey, Partner, Head of Global Macro & Asset Allocation, and Chief Investment Officer of KKR’s Balance Sheet, KKR, and CSIS Board Member, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to explore the role …
Show notes
Henry McVey, Partner, Head of Global Macro & Asset Allocation, and Chief Investment Officer of KKR’s Balance Sheet, KKR, and CSIS Board Member, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to explore the role of resilience driving policy and markets, what he calls “the security of everything.” They also discuss the evolving role of the state, the impact of AI on productivity, and stablecoins.
See more research from Henry McVey and KKR here:- All macro content: https://www.kkr.com/insights#categoryTagId=insights-categories:macro-insights
- Thoughts from the Road Europe: https://www.kkr.com/insights/2025-europe-thoughts-from-the-road
- Midyear Outlook: https://www.kkr.com/insights/mid-year-update-2025
Small Firms, Workers, and AI featuring LinkedIn Chief Economist Karin Kimbrough
With over 1 billion subscribers across more than 200 countries, LinkedIn provides a unique, real-time perspective on jobs, skills, and AI adoption. Navin Girishankar and Karin Kimbrough explore how the AI …
Show notes
With over 1 billion subscribers across more than 200 countries, LinkedIn provides a unique, real-time perspective on jobs, skills, and AI adoption. Navin Girishankar and Karin Kimbrough explore how the AI revolution is impacting small businesses and the global market for talent. Karin shares insights from LinkedIn’s research on how AI is impacting companies and workers. She also discusses how private-sector data can complement federal economic statistics to provide a rich picture of the global talent market and the future of work.
U.S. Energy Dominance featuring NEDC Executive Director Jarrod Agen
A special episode of Betting on America features a recent live CSIS event with Jarrod Agen, Executive Director of the White House’s National Energy Dominance Council, and Joseph Majkut, Director of the CSIS …
Show notes
A special episode of Betting on America features a recent live CSIS event with Jarrod Agen, Executive Director of the White House’s National Energy Dominance Council, and Joseph Majkut, Director of the CSIS Energy Security and Climate Change Program. Tune in for a conversation on how the United States can build the energy backbone to meet its industrial and technology demands—with speed and predictability.
Reviving U.S. Commercial Supersonic Flight featuring Blake Scholl
Blake Scholl, Founder & CEO of Boom Supersonic, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to explore how innovations in advanced manufacturing and software as well as government policies are creating …
Show notes
Blake Scholl, Founder & CEO of Boom Supersonic, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to explore how innovations in advanced manufacturing and software as well as government policies are creating opportunities for the United States to once again push the frontier of commercial aviation. They also discuss the race with China to build supersonic jets, the impact of tariffs and deregulation on U.S. tech and manufacturing competitiveness, and whether supersonic travel can truly scale—commercially and globally.
Innovating Global Logistics in Uncertain Times featuring Carol Tomé
Betting on America welcomes Carol Tomé, Chief Executive Officer of UPS. With over half a million employees operating in more than 200 countries, UPS sits at the center of a global economy transformed by …
Show notes
Betting on America welcomes Carol Tomé, Chief Executive Officer of UPS. With over half a million employees operating in more than 200 countries, UPS sits at the center of a global economy transformed by pandemic shocks, trade wars, and technological revolutions. Navin Girishankar and Tomé explore how AI, robotics, and data are redefining logistics—from time-critical networks to the delivery of vital medicines—and how UPS’s expanding role in healthcare supply chains is becoming a core part of the U.S. technology offer to the Global South. Tomé shares hard-won leadership lessons on running at scale, building resilience, and turning supply chains into engines of opportunity.
The Future of U.S. Economic Statecraft featuring former National Security Advisor General HR McMaster
LTG (ret.) H.R. McMaster, former U.S. National Security Advisor and a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, joins Navin Girishankar for a wide-ranging discussion on the current state of U.S. economic …
Show notes
LTG (ret.) H.R. McMaster, former U.S. National Security Advisor and a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, joins Navin Girishankar for a wide-ranging discussion on the current state of U.S. economic security policy. They discuss the economic and technology competition with China, the U.S. offer to the Global South, and the role of 'patriot investors' in driving American innovation across advanced technologies. They also consider the challenge that political polarization poses to American economic statecraft.
Can America Lead in Uranium Enrichment Again? Featuring Scott Nolan
Scott Nolan, Founder & CEO of General Matter and Partner at Founders Fund, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to chart America’s nuclear fuel comeback. He breaks down General Matter’s partnership …
Show notes
Scott Nolan, Founder & CEO of General Matter and Partner at Founders Fund, joins Navin Girishankar on Betting on America to chart America’s nuclear fuel comeback. He breaks down General Matter’s partnership with the Department of Energy to restart uranium enrichment in Paducah, KY, why securing fuel for the nation’s nuclear fleet is a strategic imperative, and how public–private collaboration is essential to tackling America’s biggest economic and national security challenges. Nolan also shares lessons from his journey as a founder and investor.
Winning the AI Race featuring OSTP Director Michael Kratsios
This special episode of Betting on America features a recent live CSIS event with Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in conversation with Gregory C …
Show notes
This special episode of Betting on America features a recent live CSIS event with Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in conversation with Gregory C. Allen, Senior Advisor with the Wadhwani AI Center. Director Kratsios discusses the goals of the White House's newly released AI Action Plan along with the administration's plans for AI infrastructure, export controls, workforce, export promotion, national security, and more.
These are the latest 40 of 42 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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