417. Whose AI Bubble Is It Anyways? (ft. Paris Marx, Brian Merchant)

06/08/2025 1h 15min
417. Whose AI Bubble Is It Anyways? (ft. Paris Marx, Brian Merchant)

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Episode Synopsis

In this episode, Ed chats with Paris Marx and Brian Merchant about artificial intelligence and the political coalitions behind its development in the United States and abroad. Are we all living in the same AI bubble? Europe, China, and America all have different visions for what their ideal global value chain looks like when it comes to AI—its raw material inputs, chips, data centers, invisible laborers, regulatory standards, data sets, models, and applications. Whose vision will win out and why?

••• Come to Jathan’s book launch in Melbourne on August 14th at 6:00pm! There will be fun conversation, an open bar, and books for sale! Register for free here: https://events.humanitix.com/sadowkski-the-mechanic-and-the-luddite-launch

Paris’s recent newsletters:
••• https://www.disconnect.blog/p/why-should-the-us-decide-who-can
••• https://www.disconnect.blog/p/why-canada-needs-to-build-a-public
••• https://www.disconnect.blog/p/jd-vance-champions-tech-imperialism

Brian’s recent newsletters:
••• https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/trumps-ai-action-plan-is-a-blueprint
••• https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/dont-forget-what-silicon-valley-tried
••• https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/this-is-the-gentle-singularity

Standing Plugs:
••• Order Jathan’s new book: https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520398078/the-mechanic-and-the-luddite
••• Subscribe to Ed’s substack: https://substack.com/@thetechbubble
••• Subscribe to TMK on patreon for premium episodes: https://www.patreon.com/thismachinekills

Hosted by Jathan Sadowski (bsky.app/profile/jathansadowski.com) and Edward Ongweso Jr. (www.x.com/bigblackjacobin). Production / Music by Jereme Brown (bsky.app/profile/jebr.bsky.social)