The Great Tech Game Podcast: Geopolitics, Technology, Business and Global Affairs, with Anirudh Suri

In this episode of the *AI Futures* podcast, host Anirudh Suri sits down with Jay Chaudhry, the entrepreneur behind Zscaler and a pioneer in the cybersecurity world. From his humble beginnings in a small village in Himachal Pradesh to founding a string of groundbreaking tech companies in Silicon Valley, Jay shares his unique perspective on the "mega waves" of technology and why he believes *AI is the biggest wave of all—a "gigawave"*.We dive deep into how the cyber threat landscape has shifted from simple website defacing to nation-state spying and attacks on critical infrastructure like the Colonial Pipeline attack. Jay explains why traditional "castle and moat" security is failing and why the world must move toward a Zero Trust architecture.In this conversation, we explore:- How do modern cyberattacks actually unfold? How are hackers using AI to identify vulnerabilities in under 30 seconds?- Is India moving toward becoming a global hub for high-tech manufacturing and R&D?- If humans are today’s weakest link, could tomorrow’s threat come from thousands of hijacked AI agents running amok?- Is “hunger and hustle” more decisive than strategy? Is adversity be a founder’s greatest advantage?-- As AI accelerates into a “gigawave,” how will we keep our systems secure against intelligent threats?🔔 Subscribe and listen to the full conversation now.-----Follow the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026: https://impact.indiaai.gov.in/*About Jay Chaudhry*Jay is an accomplished entrepreneur, and has founded a series of successful companies, including AirDefense, CipherTrust, CoreHarbor, SecureIT, and Zscaler, now a public company as of March 16, 2018.Prior to founding Zscaler in 2008, he founded and led AirDefense, a wireless security pioneer, before its acquisition by Motorola. From 2000 to 2006, Jay founded and led CipherTrust, the industry’s first email security gateway, before its merger with Secure Computing. He also founded and led CoreHarbor, a managed ecommerce solution, before it was acquired by USi/AT&T. Jay has been honored as an Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur of the Year,” IIT BHU's “Distinguished Alumnus,” and Goldman Sachs “100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs.” He earned his Bachelor of Technology in Electronics Engineering from IIT BHU Varanasi. *About Anirudh Suri, Host of the Podcast*Anirudh Suri is a non-resident scholar with Carnegie India, where his research and writing focus on technology, artificial intelligence and geopolitics. He is the author of The Great Tech Game: Shaping Geopolitics and the Destinies of Nations, and host of The Great Tech Game Podcast. He is also the Managing Partner at India Internet Fund, a US and India based technology-focused venture capital fund. Previously, Anirudh has worked with the Government of India in New Delhi, McKinsey and Co in New York, Goldman Sachs in London, the Carnegie Endowment in Washington DC, and China Institute of International Studies in Beijing. He completed his MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and his MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School. Named a Goldman Sachs Global Leader, Anirudh has also served on the Board of the Harvard Alumni Association. He tweets @AnirudhSuri.The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri - https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38My Follow Anirudh here:X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuriLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudhsuri/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anirudh_suriFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnirudhSuri.inWebsite: (http://www.anirudhsuri.com/) Book and Podcast: (http://www.greattechgame.com/)#IndiaAI #IndiaAIImpactSummit2026 #AIFuturesPodcast #AISummit #tgtgpodcast #anirudhsuri #jaychaudhry #zscaler #AIAgents #hackers #cyberhackers #zerotrustsecurity #cloudsecurity #cybersecurity #cyberattacks #ai #podcast #thegreattechgame #digitalsovereignty #datacenters #datasovereignty

In this episode of *AI Futures* , host Anirudh Suri sits down with Professor Yoshua Bengio — Turing Award winner and one of the world’s most influential AI researchers, and chair of the International AI Safety Report (2025 and 2026) — for a wide-ranging conversation on what the next phase of AI progress could mean for global power, economic inequality, and human control.As AI systems grow more capable and increasingly autonomous the stakes are no longer theoretical. From AI agents that can plan, deceive, and evade oversight to an intensifying US–China AI arms race, this episode explores whether the world is heading toward shared prosperity or a second great divergence.In this conversation, we explore:• Why is the US–China competition blocking effective global regulation?• What can “middle powers” like India and Canada do to avoid being left out?• What “deceptive alignment” means—and why AI models' deception tendencies is worrying leading researchers• How AI could be misused for cyberattacks or biological threats• Will AI will displace more white-collar jobs than it creates?• Can AI be built as a global public good, rather than a winner-takes-all race?🔔 Subscribe and listen to the full conversation now.-----Follow the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026: https://impact.indiaai.gov.in/*About Yoshua Bengio*Recognized worldwide as one of the leading experts in artificial intelligence, Yoshua Bengio is most known for his pioneering work in deep learning, earning him the 2018 A.M. Turing Award, “the Nobel Prize of Computing,” with Geoffrey Hinton and Yann LeCun, and making him the computer scientist with the largest number of citations and h-index. He is Full Professor at Université de Montréal. Concerned about the social impact of AI, he actively contributed to the Montreal Declaration for the Responsible Development of Artificial Intelligence and currently chairs the International AI Safety Report.Read the AI International Safety Report, chaired by Prof. Yoshua Bengio: https://internationalaisafetyreport.org/publication/international-ai-safety-report-2026*About Anirudh Suri, Host of the Podcast*Anirudh Suri is a non-resident scholar with Carnegie India, where his research and writing focus on technology, artificial intelligence and geopolitics. He is the author of The Great Tech Game: Shaping Geopolitics and the Destinies of Nations, and host of The Great Tech Game Podcast. He is also the Managing Partner at India Internet Fund, a US and India based technology-focused venture capital fund. Previously, Anirudh has worked with the Government of India in New Delhi, McKinsey and Co in New York, Goldman Sachs in London, the Carnegie Endowment in Washington DC, and China Institute of International Studies in Beijing. He completed his MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and his MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School. Named a Goldman Sachs Global Leader, Anirudh has also served on the Board of the Harvard Alumni Association. He tweets @AnirudhSuri.The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri - https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38My Follow Anirudh here:X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuriLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudhsuri/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anirudh_suriFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnirudhSuri.inWebsite: (http://www.anirudhsuri.com/) Book and Podcast: (http://www.greattechgame.com/)#IndiaAI #IndiaAIImpactSummit2026 #AIFuturesPodcast #AISummit #GlobalGovernance #anirudhsuri #YoshuaBengio #thegreattechgame #TGTGpodcast #AIAgents #AIRisks #uschina #aimisuse #InternationalAISafetyReport #CyberAttacks #AI #MiddlePowers #Canada #India #Japan #DeceptiveAlignment #TechAlliances #podcast

In this episode of the *AI Futures* podcast, Anirudh Suri sits down with UN Under-Secretary General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, Amandeep Gill. USG Gill offers a glimpse into the global governance of AI, the "looming AI divide," and the urgent need for international cooperation to prevent a "second great divergence" between the Global North and South. The conversation dives deep into the high-stakes risks of concentration of power, the sustainability crisis facing AI infrastructure, and the human impact on children’s mental health and cognitive development.Questions unpacked in this episode:- What new mechanisms is the UN building to ensure all countries can shape the AI future?- Will AI trigger a “second great divergence”?- Why does a single Chinese university have more compute power than the entire continent of Africa?- Are we facing a “cognitive decline” due to the increasing use of AI?- How do we ensure global AI standards are tech-neutral and inclusive, rather than set by dominant powers?- How can countries like India and Nigeria move from “market bystanders” to active players in the AI ecosystem?- Will AI create new productive opportunities—or displace the entry-level coders and data analysts of tomorrow?🔔 Subscribe and listen to the full conversation now.------Follow the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026: https://impact.indiaai.gov.in/*About USG Amandeep Gill*United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced on 10 June 2022 the appointment of Amandeep Singh Gill of India as his Envoy on Technology. Mr. Gill is the Chief Executive Officer of the International Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence Research Collaborative (I-DAIR) project, based at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva. *About Anirudh Suri, Host of the Podcast*Anirudh Suri is a non-resident scholar with Carnegie India, where his research and writing focus on technology, artificial intelligence and geopolitics. He is the author of The Great Tech Game: Shaping Geopolitics and the Destinies of Nations, and host of The Great Tech Game Podcast. He is also the Managing Partner at India Internet Fund, a US and India based technology-focused venture capital fund. Previously, Anirudh has worked with the Government of India in New Delhi, McKinsey and Co in New York, Goldman Sachs in London, the Carnegie Endowment in Washington DC, and China Institute of International Studies in Beijing. He completed his MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and his MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School. Named a Goldman Sachs Global Leader, Anirudh has also served on the Board of the Harvard Alumni Association. He tweets @AnirudhSuri.The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri - https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38My Follow Anirudh here:X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuriLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudhsuri/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anirudh_suriFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnirudhSuri.inWebsite: (http://www.anirudhsuri.com/) Book and Podcast: (http://www.greattechgame.com/)#IndiaAI #IndiaAIImpactSummit2026 #AIFuturesPodcast #AISummit #globalgovernance #aiguardrails #anirudhsuri #amandeepgill #unsecretarygeneral #unitednations #ai #aiimpact #standards #digitaldivide #AIDivide #digitalsovereignty #Techsovereignty #nigeria #africa #india #aifutures #tgtgpodcast #thegreattechgame #podcast

In this episode of the *AI Futures* podcast, we speak with Professor Stuart Russell, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, one of the world’s leading experts on artificial intelligence, and the author of the field’s standard textbook, _AI: A Modern Approach_ .The *AI Futures* podcast series is hosted by Anirudh Suri, in collaboration with the *Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India* This podcast serves as the intellectual prelude to the *India AI Impact Summit 2026* , which is taking place from February 16–20, 2026, in New Delhi, India.In this conversation, Professor Russell and Anirudh discuss how fast AI is changing, the limits of today’s dominant ways of building AI systems, and why there is a growing need for global rules to keep AI safe. They explore key questions such as:- How close are we really to Artificial General Intelligence?- Does today’s 'brute force' approach of using more data and computing power risk creating an economic bubble?- Where is AI making the biggest real-world impact right now, in areas like healthcare, education, or science?- Which countries have the strongest AI strategies, and why is the U.S. approach of resisting regulation surprising?- Could the “Age of AI” weaken our mental skills, much like the Industrial Revolution reduced the need for physical labor?This conversation looks at what it will take to move AI debates beyond theory and into real-world outcomes, especially for the Global South.🔔 Subscribe and listen to the full conversation now.-----Follow the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026: https://impact.indiaai.gov.in/*About Prof. Stuart Russell*Stuart J. Russell is professor (and formerly chair) of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California at Berkeley. He is holder of the Smith-Zadeh Chair in Engineering and director of the Centre for Human-Compatible AI. His book *Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach* is the standard text in AI; it has been translated into 14 languages and is used in over 1,400 universities in 128 countries.*About Anirudh Suri, Host of the Podcast*Anirudh Suri is a non-resident scholar with Carnegie India, where his research and writing focus on technology, artificial intelligence and geopolitics. He is the author of The Great Tech Game: Shaping Geopolitics and the Destinies of Nations, and host of The Great Tech Game Podcast. He is also the Managing Partner at India Internet Fund, a US and India based technology-focused venture capital fund. Previously, Anirudh has worked with the Government of India in New Delhi, McKinsey and Co in New York, Goldman Sachs in London, the Carnegie Endowment in Washington DC, and China Institute of International Studies in Beijing. He completed his MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and his MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School. Named a Goldman Sachs Global Leader, Anirudh has also served on the Board of the Harvard Alumni Association. He tweets @AnirudhSuri.The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri - https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38My Follow Anirudh here:X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuriLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudhsuri/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anirudh_suriFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnirudhSuri.inWebsite: (http://www.anirudhsuri.com/) Book and Podcast: (http://www.greattechgame.com/)#AIFuturesPodcast #IndiaAI #IndiaAIImpactSummit2026 #AISummit #AIFutures #ArtificialIntelligence #AGI #Computing #GlobalSouth #DataCenters #AIInfrastructure #AnirudhSuri #StuartRussell #UCBerkeley #AIEthics #TheGreatTechGame #TGTGpodcast #podcast #IndiaAIMission

*As France passes the Global AI Summit baton to India, what can we expect from the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026?* In the first episode of our podcast series *AI Futures: The Road to the India AI Impact Summit 2026* , we speak with Anne Bouverot, Special AI Envoy of the French President Emmanuel Macron. Bouverot organized the previous global AI summit - The AI Action Summit - in Paris in 2025. The AI Futures Podcast series, hosted by Anirudh Suri, is organized in collaboration with the *Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India* in the run up to the India AI Impact Summit 2026 being held from Feb 16 - 20, 2026 in New Delhi, India.Bouverot and Suri unpack how the global AI race is shifting beyond a US–China race, and why countries like India and France want to be actors, not just customers, in the AI economy. They deep dive into questions like:- Why is “Impact” the core focus of the upcoming AI summit being hosted by India?- Can AI leadership be multi-polar, or will it remain a US - China race?- What are the energy and climate cost implications of large-scale AI? - What are the most exciting use cases of AI that we can expect in 2026?- Will AI simply reshape work—or quietly hollow out human skills?🔔 Subscribe and listen to the full conversation now.Follow the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026: https://impact.indiaai.gov.in/*About Anne Bouverot* Anne Bouverot is Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS-PSL), and the French President's special envoy for the AI Action Summit. She has spent most of her career in the technology sector and now advises a number of public and private technology companies and scale ups. With economist Philippe Aghion, in 2024 she co-chaired the Commission that published the report ‘AI: our ambition for France’. She spent the first 20 years of her career at Orange, then became Director General of GSMA, the global mobile operators’ association, and later CEO of digital security and identity solutions company Morpho. She is a graduate of Ecole Normale Supérieure in mathematics and holds a PhD in artificial intelligence.*About Anirudh Suri, Host of the Podcast*Anirudh Suri is a non-resident scholar with Carnegie India, where his research and writing focus on technology, artificial intelligence and geopolitics. He is the author of The Great Tech Game: Shaping Geopolitics and the Destinies of Nations, and host of The Great Tech Game Podcast. He is also the Managing Partner at India Internet Fund, a US and India based technology-focused venture capital fund. Previously, Anirudh has worked with the Government of India in New Delhi, McKinsey and Co in New York, Goldman Sachs in London, the Carnegie Endowment in Washington DC, and China Institute of International Studies in Beijing. He completed his MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and his MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School. Named a Goldman Sachs Global Leader, Anirudh has also served on the Board of the Harvard Alumni Association.The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri - https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38My Follow Anirudh here:X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuriLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudhsuri/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anirudh_suriFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnirudhSuri.inWebsite: (http://www.anirudhsuri.com/) Book and Podcast: (http://www.greattechgame.com/)#IndiaAI #IndiaAIImpactSummit2026 #AISummit #franceai #indiafrance #globalsouth #indiafrancerelations #geopolitics #anirudhsuri #aifutures #thegreattechgame #tgtgpodcast

Can the Middle East build an AI-powered future while the region remains unstable?In this episode of The Great Tech Game, we sit down with Dr. Yusuf Al-Bulushi, Chairman of the Muscat Policy Council, for a deep dive on the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, the diversification strategies of the GCC countries and India-Oman ties. From regional conflict and reconciliation to AI, digital sovereignty, and energy security, this episode unpacks how Gulf states are positioning themselves in AI wave.🎯 In this conversation, we explore:The new AI Great Game: data centers, subsea cables, and the hidden infrastructure shaping powerThe positive competition within the GCC—and how cities like Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, and Muscat are attempting to diversify beyond oilWhat digital sovereignty really means—and why it’s something to be managed, not “solved”The strategic importance of the India–Oman partnership, maritime security, and the blue economyWhat are Oman's greatest strengths and weaknesses?Dr. Al-Bulushi also shares insights from his personal journey building Oman’s first “think-and-do tank,” and why ideas, institutions, and infrastructure matter as much as capital. Tune in soon for this episode.🔔 Subscribe and listen to the full conversation now—only on The Great Tech Game Podcast.-----Host of the Podcast, Anirudh Suri:The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri - https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38My Follow Anirudh here:X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuriLinkedin:   / anirudhsuri  Instagram:   / anirudh_suri  Facebook:   / anirudhsuri.in  Website: [www.anirudhsuri.com](http://www.anirudhsuri.com/) Book and Podcast: [www.greattechgame.com](http://www.greattechgame.com/)#tgtgpodcast #thegreattechgame #anirudhsuri #middleeastcrisis #ai #aiimpact #indiaoman #indiaomanrelations #geopolitics #techgeopolitics

In the latest episode of The Great Tech Game Podcast, Ambassador Kurt Tong argues that by 2070, 'all roads lead to Mumbai and New Delhi' as India is set to become the world's biggest and most powerful economy. We explore:- Why the intensive global focus on China might soon be viewed as merely a 'first half of the 21st century thing'- The surprising weaknesses displayed by both the US and China in their geopolitical dynamic - How today's technological rivalry differs from the US-Japan competition of the 1980s - Why Hong Kong remains a critical financial centre for greater China for the foreseeable future- What could stop India from becoming the world's biggest economy by 2070?- ...and more.🔔 Subscribe and listen to the full conversation now—only on The Great Tech Game Podcast.--------------------------Amb. Kurt TongAmbassador Tong is the Managing Partner at the Asia Group, where his work focuses on Japan, China, Korea, and broader Asia-Pacific policy. He provides strategic council to multinational corporations navigating the complex policy and market challenges across Asia. A career US diplomat for three decades, his past roles include serving as the Consul General in Hong Kong and Macau, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs, and the US Ambassador for APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation)🌐 More about Amb. Tong: https://theasiagroup.com/talent/amb-kurt-tong/#:~:text=Managing%20Partner&text=Prior%20to%20joining%20The%20Asia,with%20that%20important%20financial%20center.Host of the Podcast, Anirudh Suri:The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri - https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38My Follow Anirudh here:X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuriLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudhsuri/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anirudh_suriFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnirudhSuri.inWebsite: [www.anirudhsuri.com](http://www.anirudhsuri.com/) Book and Podcast: [www.greattechgame.com](http://www.greattechgame.com/)#India #India2070 #AsiaGeopolitics #KurtTong #AnirudhSuri #TheGreatTechGame #USChinaRivalry #NewDelhi #Mumbai #Japan #GlobalEconomy #WolfWarrior #TechCompetition #HongKong #AsiaGroup #TGTGPodcast #Podcast

Can Apple Pivot Away from China to India? An Inside Look at the Complexities of Apple's Choices: In this episode of The Great Tech Game podcast, host Anirudh Suri sits down with Patrick McGee, Financial Times San Francisco correspondent and author of Apple in China, to unpack the deeper story behind one of the most important corporate–state relationships of the 21st century. Through Apple’s journey, McGee explores how Apple became central to the US–China tech rivalry, and how its search for scale and perfection created ripple effects that reshaped global geopolitics, technology, and industry. And now, as the Apple - China relationship has become so convoluted, how Apple is trying to navigate away from China to other countries such as India. This episode tackles questions such as: - Why is Apple’s relationship with China so consequential — and what does it reveal about the future of US–China tech competition? - How did Apple’s investments, training programs, and suppliers fuel the rise of Chinese tech giants like Huawei and Xiaomi? - What changed under Xi Jinping, and how did Apple learn to “play politics” in a new era of state power and surveillance? - Can India or Mexico realistically serve as the next major manufacturing hubs as companies seek to decouple from China? - What lessons can Indian states like Tamil Nadu and Telangana learn from Chinese provinces such as Shenzhen? Tune in for an in-depth conversation on how Apple’s pursuit of efficiency and growth supercharged China’s rise, but how its deep dependence now leaves it with few exits, if at all.🔔 Subscribe and listen to the full conversation now—only on The Great Tech Game Podcast.00:00 Introduction09:12 Apple's Dependence on China: Why is it a Cautionary Tale?12:16 The Rise of Chinese Tech Companies16:40 Apple's Political Challenges in China38:46 Lessons for India and Other Nations49:42 Challenges in Scaling Up American Industry53:38 Comparing Production in India and China55:32 Advice for Indian Leaders on Attracting Apple01:02:29 Apple's AI Strategy and Future Prospects01:08:51 Rapid Fire: Advice for Global Leaders01:22:50 Book Recommendations and Final ThoughtsAbout Patrick McGee:Patrick McGee has written for the Financial Times since 2013, reporting from Hong Kong, Germany, and California. He led the FT’s Apple coverage (2019–2023) and won a San Francisco Press Club Award in 2023 for best tech article in a newspaper. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Times of London, and more. Patrick's focus over the past decade has been on Apple, digital advertising, robotaxis, electric vehicles, the Volkswagen diesel scandal, and connected fitness. His debut book, Apple in China, is considered both an insider’s historical account and a cautionary tale.📘 Link to Apple in China: https://www.amazon.in/Apple-China-Capture-Greatest-Company/dp/1668053373🌐 More about Patrick McGee: https://patrick-mcgee.com/Host of the Podcast, Anirudh Suri:The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri - https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38My Follow Anirudh here:X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuriLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudhsuri/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anirudh_suriFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnirudhSuri.inWebsite: [www.anirudhsuri.com](http://www.anirudhsuri.com/) Book and Podcast: [www.greattechgame.com](http://www.greattechgame.com/)#tgtgpodcast #thegreattechgame #appleinchina #patrickmcgee #anirudhsuri #apple #china #appleinindia #indiachina #bigtech #supplychain

In this episode of The Great Tech Game, host Anirudh Suri sits down with Chris Kemp — Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Astra, and former CTO of NASA — to unpack how the commercial space race is reshaping technology, defense, and geopolitics.From drones and rockets to optical space internet, Kemp explains how a new generation of private space companies are breaking into this domain that was initially dominated by states, especially during the Cold War when the first Space Race was between the United States and the Soviet Union.🔑 Highlights from the episode:- Why space is becoming the ultimate geopolitical high ground.- Which companies and countries are leading in this space- How cheap, mobile rocket systems are redefining military deterrence.- The shift from billion-dollar satellites to swarms of small ones.- What Astra’s Rocket 4 and propulsion business reveal about the future of scalable space manufacturing.- Why optical communication (light-based data transfer) could spark a new, unjammable internet in space.Kemp also discusses his time at NASA, founding OpenStack, and how commercial satellite networks like Starlink and Planet Labs are already influencing modern conflicts — from Ukraine to beyond. The conversation traces how space tech is moving from elite national programs to a mass-produced, distributed ecosystem that could reshape both global security and the everyday internet.

In this episode of The Great Tech Game, host Anirudh Suri speaks with Michael Brown — Partner at Shield Capital, Visiting Scholar at Stanford’s Hoover Institution, and former Director of the Defense Innovation Unit — about the frontlines of the US–China technology competition and what the U.S. must do to stay ahead.Together they explore:– How China’s top-down innovation model is challenging U.S. leadership– The urgent reforms needed in R&D, budgeting, and industrial policy– How Silicon Valley and the Pentagon are reconnecting through defense tech– Why allies and partners remain America’s biggest asymmetric advantageBrown also unpacks the decline in federal R&D spending, the rise of defense-tech startups, and how conflicts like Ukraine reveal the power of commercial technology in modern warfare.Tune in for an insider’s look at the race shaping global innovation — and what it means for the future of defense, technology, and geopolitics.Follow The Great Tech Game for more conversations at the intersection of technology, strategy, and the global economy.

In this episode of the Great Tech Game podcast, host Anirudh Suri interviews Peter Singer, a strategist at New America and a renowned futurist in national security. Singer discusses the evolving landscape of warfare, highlighting the role of new technologies such as drones, AI, and cyber capabilities. He reflects on the lessons learned from recent conflicts, such as Ukraine and Gaza, and explores the rise of private military and defence tech firms. Singer also delves into the potential for future global conflicts, the implications of emerging technologies, and the inherent vulnerabilities within autocratic systems. From multi-domain operations and cognitive warfare to the game-changing power of synthetic biology, this conversation reveals how technology, geopolitics, and global affairs are colliding to redefine the future of conflict.00:00 Introduction to Future Warfare00:09 Peter Singer's Background and Contributions00:44 The Reality of Modern Warfare00:54 Technological Denial and Acceptance01:22 The Impact of Drones and Robotics02:01 Private Military Contractors and Defense Tech Firms02:20 Silicon Valley's Role in Defense03:43 The Future of Warfare and Global Conflict05:29 The Role of Non-State Actors in Modern Warfare34:30 The Complexity of Multi-Domain Warfare38:33 Emerging Technologies in Space41:39 Cyber Warfare Insights47:20 AI and Robotics Revolution57:30 Future Technologies and Their Impact01:04:27 Rapid Fire Questions and RecommendationsAbout Peter W. Singer:Peter Warren Singer is a strategist at New America, Professor of Practice at Arizona State University, and Founder & Managing Partner at Useful Fiction LLC, a firm that specializes in strategic narrative. A New York Times bestselling author, Singer has been hailed by the Wall Street Journal as “the premier futurist in the national-security environment” and by the Washington Post as “an all-around smart guy.” He has been recognized by the Smithsonian as one of America’s 100 leading innovators, by Defense News as one of the 100 most influential voices in defense, and by Foreign Policy on its Top 100 Global Thinkers list. The U.S. Army has even designated him an official “Mad Scientist.” Notably, no other author, has more books featured on professional U.S. military reading lists.Links to Peter Singer's books:Burn-In: A Novel of the Real Robotic Revolution - https://www.amazon.in/Burn-Novel-Real-Robotic-Revolution-ebook/dp/B07T4KLT74LikeWar: The Weaponization of Social Media - https://www.amazon.in/LikeWar-Weaponization-P-W-Singer/dp/1328695743Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War - https://www.amazon.in/Ghost-Fleet-P-W-Singer/dp/054470505XCybersecurity and Cyberwar: What Everyone Needs to Know - https://www.amazon.in/Cybersecurity-Cyberwar-What-Everyone-Needs/dp/0199918112Wired for War: The Robotics Revolution and 21st Century Conflict - https://www.amazon.in/Wired-War-Robotics-Revolution-Conflict/dp/0143116843Corporate Warriors: The Rise of the Privatized Military Industry - https://www.amazon.in/Corporate-Warriors-Privatized-Military-Industry/dp/0801489156Children at war - https://www.amazon.in/Children-at-War-P-W-Singer/dp/0375423494Host of the Podcast, Anirudh Suri:The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri - https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38My Follow Anirudh here:X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuriLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudhsuri/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anirudh_suriFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnirudhSuri.inWebsite: (http://www.anirudhsuri.com/) Book and Podcast: [www.greattechgame.com]🎥 Clip Credit 1:PackBot® 510 | Unmanned Ground Systems -- Teledyne FLIRWatch here: https://youtu.be/kV0GwG269xQ?si=avvlSRnkqf4VqyKq#anirudhsuri #futurewarfare #futureofwar #privatemilitary #cyberwarfare #thegreattechgame #tgtgpodcast #anirudhsuri #petersinger #pwsinger #geopolitics #podcast #defenseanalysis #defensetech #cognitivewarfare #warfare #war

In this episode of The Great Tech Game podcast, Professor Jason Furman -- the Aetna Professor of the Practice of Economic Policy at Harvard Kennedy School and former 28th Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors under President Barack Obama -- offers a rare peek behind the curtain of President Trump's tariff strategy and their far-reaching impacts. We explore the surprising realities of who truly wins and loses in this global economic upheaval, both within the US and across the world, and why the aggregate picture might not be what you expect.Professor Furman critically examines India's unique and challenging position in this tariff landscape, facing a potentially "unfair" deal with a projected 50% tariff rate. Could this be India's pivotal "1991 moment" for significant domestic reforms? What strategic choices lie ahead for its booming economy?The discussion also delves into:• Why countries have largely opted for "personalistic" bilateral deals rather than forming a united front against US tariffs, and what this reveals about global negotiation dynamics.• The one country that has successfully pushed back against US tariffs, and the unique leverage that allowed it to do so.• The potential long-term shifts in global trade patterns and whether the "most favored nation" principle is truly a thing of the past.• The profound implications of AI for global productivity and the future of jobs. Will AI be a "massively positive" force, and how might its benefits be distributed across different nations?• The critical role of immigration in fuelling the US tech and AI industries, and why its future is a key concern.Professor Furman also provides candid rapid-fire answers on pressing questions like whether Trump's trade war protects American jobs (his answer may surprise you!) and who ultimately pays the price for high tariffs, and whether Trump will finally strike a deal with India eventually or not.Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the forces shaping today's global economy and what lies ahead for nations caught in the "Tariff Roulette."Subscribe for more insightful discussions on geopolitics, technology, and economics!

In this episode of The Great Tech Game podcast, host Anirudh Suri sits down with Dr. John Klein—space strategist, military theorist, and author of Fight for the Final Frontier—as part of our Future of War and Tech series. This episode marks our first deep dive into the space domain.Dr. Klein explains why “space is not special, just wonderfully different,” urging a strategic and historical lens to understand the shifting nature of space power. The conversation explores how commercial firms—now responsible for over 90% of spacecraft in orbit—are transforming the global space landscape, and what that means for governments, warfighting, and deterrence.From anti-satellite tests and cyber attacks on satellite infrastructure to the critical role of geospatial intelligence in the Russia-Ukraine war, the episode highlights how space is already shaping today’s conflicts. Reflecting on maritime analogies, the risks of “mirror imaging,” and India’s evolving posture in this domain, this is a must-watch episode for anyone interested in space strategy and geopolitics.CHAPTERS00:00 Trailer04:06 Key Technological Advancements in Space in Recent Years10:56 Who Are the Key Nations in the Space Power Club?14:21 Key Private Space Entities and their Relationship with Governments31:36 How Commercial Companies are Governed by International Space Treaties36:38 Drone Warfare and GPS Jamming in the India-Pak Conflict40:15 Geospatial Intelligence and OSINT in Recent Conflicts50:31 India's Space Capabilities and Strategic Advice for Indian Startups57:20 How Should Countries Navigate Space Geopolitics?01:00:42 Book Recommendations and Final ThoughtsAbout Dr. John Klein:Dr. John J. Klein is a Senior Fellow and Strategist at Falcon Research, Inc., and Adjunct Professor at George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute and Georgetown University’s Strategic Studies Program. He frequently writes on space strategy, deterrence, and the Law of Armed Conflict. He is the author of the books Understanding Space Strategy: The Art of War in Space (2019), Space Warfare: Strategy, Principles and Policy (2006) and the recently released Fight for the Final Frontier: Irregular Warfare in Space (2023), along with a score of other book chapters and articles. He is a retired Commander of US Navy, where he served as a Naval Flight Officer from 22 years. He also supported combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Links to Dr. Klein's books:Understanding Space Strategy: The Art of War in Space - https://www.amazon.in/Understanding-Space-Strategy-Power-Politics/dp/1138354627Space Warfare: Strategy, Principles and Policy - https://www.amazon.in/Space-Warfare-Strategy-Principles-Politics/dp/0415407966Fight for the Final Frontier: Irregular Warfare in Space - https://www.amazon.in/Fight-Final-Frontier-Irregular-Warfare/dp/155750735XHost of the Podcast, Anirudh Suri:The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri - https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38My Follow Anirudh here:X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuriLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudhsuri/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anirudh_suriFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnirudhSuri.inWebsite: [www.anirudhsuri.com](http://www.anirudhsuri.com/) Book and Podcast: [www.greattechgame.com](http://www.greattechgame.com/)🎥 Clip Credit 1:“2021 Russian Satellite Intercept” – Ansys Government Initiatives (AGI)Watch here: https://youtu.be/b52F9R9ByOY?si=vp1uc224HqiYJZE6🎥 Clip Credit 2:“Geostationary, Molniya, Tundra, Polar & Sun Synchronous Orbits Explained” – Scott ManleyWatch here: https://youtu.be/PZAkiXNJIqc?si=d7S8mNKstsYLbXEc🎬 Clip Credit 3:“Northrop Grumman’s MEV-1 docked with the Intelsat 901 satellite” – SciNewsWatch here: https://youtu.be/pHrxDGafnV4?si=q_MLCT9UDbhpI1iJ🎬 Clip Credit 4:“Low Earth orbit is littered with human-made space junk” – RAZOR Science ShowWatch here: https://youtu.be/QTXUbW77WZE?si=dZZr4NzR61DcrFFT

In this week's episode, we sit down with Lieutenant General Jack Shanahan, the first director of the Pentagon’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC) and former head of Project Maven, to unpack how AI is transforming the battlefield.Project Maven (officially called the Algorithmic Warfare Cross Functional Team) is a project undertaken by the Pentagon starting in 2017, involving using machine learning and data from multiple sources with the aim of identifying potential targets, among other things. The Maven Smart System has been used, among other situations, in the Russia - Ukraine context by the US to help Ukrainian forces.Gen. Shanahan shares what it took to bring AI into the Department of Defense, from fighting bureaucratic inertia to handling mountains of battlefield data. We dive into the Pentagon’s collaboration—and tensions—with private tech firms, the high-stakes AI race between the US and China, and the lessons emerging from Ukraine. We also explore how AI could change cyber warfare forever—and what these shifts mean for the future of global power.If you’re curious about how technology is reshaping war, strategy, and geopolitics, this conversation is for you.Chapters:00:00 The Evolution of the Department of Defense00:52 The Rise of Silicon Valley and the Tech Boom01:33 Challenges in Integrating Tech with Defense02:48 Introduction to the Great Tech Game Podcast05:18 The Big Picture: Post-Cold War Shifts11:18 Project Maven: The AI Revolution in Defense21:33 Data Management Challenges in AI Projects27:32 Collaborating with Private Tech Firms36:08 Purpose and Challenges of AI in Defense36:55 Corporate Collaboration and Ethical Considerations37:52 Impact of Ukraine Conflict on AI Adoption38:22 Emergence of New Defense Primes39:17 Partnerships Between Big and Small Companies40:20 Transforming Government with Silicon Valley Talent44:24 Project Maven's Strategic Impact45:31 Algorithmic Warfare and Human-Machine Integration49:40 Global Use and Future of Project Maven54:58 US-China AI Military Competition01:03:41 China's AI Development and Civil-Military Fusion01:10:05 China's Manufacturing and Technology Growth01:10:48 Autonomous Systems and AI Integration01:11:07 China's Government and Tech Companies01:13:53 India's AI and Military Technology01:15:31 Challenges and Opportunities in India01:19:15 AI in Cyber Defense and Offense01:22:42 Private Tech Firms vs. Nation States01:31:08 Future of Industrial Policy and National Security01:36:08 Book and Podcast Recommendations#thegreattechgame #tgtgpodcast #anirudhsuri #jackshanahan #militarytechnology #projectmaven #dod #departmentofdefense #military #geopolitics #defenseinnovation #siliconvalley #uschina #indiaai #usmilitary #thegreattechgamepodcast

In this video, Geoff White, host of BBC Podcast 'Lazarus Heist', explores the hidden world of cyber defense and uncover how governments, private companies, and security agencies work together to track down some of the world’s most sophisticated hackers. While we often hear about massive cyberattacks and stolen millions, this conversation dives deep into the lesser-known side of the story — how these criminals are traced, caught, and exposed.From the SolarWinds hack, allegedly orchestrated by Russian hackers, to state-sponsored cyberattacks targeting private companies, he discusses how the lines between government operations and private tech firms are increasingly blurring. Today, big tech companies like Microsoft and Starlink often play roles as significant as governments themselves, supporting global defense strategies — similar to how they assisted Ukraine during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.We also discuss the covert battles happening behind the scenes, where espionage, counter-hacks, and intelligence operations unfold beyond public visibility. While countries like the US, UK, India, and Russia constantly engage in cyber warfare, most of these operations remain classified and never reach the headlines. Even in high-profile cases like North Korea’s alleged hacks, accusations rarely make it to court, leaving many questions unanswered about how these investigations actually unfold.This video unpacks the methods, partnerships, and challenges behind cyber defense, revealing how public and private forces combine to protect digital infrastructure in a world where attacks are constant, global, and evolving.If you’re interested in cybersecurity, digital warfare, or the secretive world of global hacking, this is a must-watch.

In this video, Geoff White, host of BBC Podcast 'Lazarus Heist', explains the turbulent world of crypto tech firms, government crackdowns, and the growing clash between regulation, freedom, and financial innovation. He explores why some of the biggest names in the crypto industry — from FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried, sentenced to 25 years in prison, to Binance founder CZ, facing legal troubles — have come under intense global scrutiny, while traditional tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon continue to thrive with government support.The conversation looks at why crypto companies operate differently from established big tech firms. While traditional companies have decades of regulatory integration, government ties, and lobbying power, many crypto startups are new, disruptive, and anti-establishment. Built on the idea of financial freedom, privacy, and decentralization, these firms have positioned themselves outside traditional power structures, rejecting government control over money. But this independence has also made them prime targets for regulators cracking down on fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering.We also discuss the controversial role of crypto mixers like Tornado Cash, which was accused of laundering over $500 million stolen in the Axie Infinity hack by North Korean cybercriminals. While governments see these services as enablers of illegal activity, many in the crypto community defend them as vital tools for privacy, free speech, and financial liberty — sparking a deep philosophical divide about the future of money.If you’re interested in cryptocurrency, cybersecurity, or the tussle over financial freedom, this is a must-watch.

In this video, Geoff White, host of BBC Podcast 'Lazarus Heist', explores how the booming online gaming industry has become one of the newest battlegrounds for cybercrime, crypto theft, and money laundering. He explains how hackers — including North Korea’s state-backed Lazarus Group — are exploiting gaming platforms and digital ecosystems to steal millions and move illicit funds undetected.We dive into the shocking Axie Infinity hack of 2022, where North Korean hackers allegedly stole $625 million by exploiting blockchain vulnerabilities within the Vietnamese gaming platform. With the gaming industry now valued in billions, gaming companies have become high-value targets for hackers, while unsuspecting gamers are also at risk. From stolen digital assets like skins, avatars, and in-game currencies to compromised wallets, the threat extends far beyond corporate systems.With the rapid rise of crypto-based gaming, NFTs, and digital in-game assets, cybercriminals now see gaming as one of the most lucrative and low-risk frontiers. This clip unpacks the methods, motives, and scale of these operations, exposing how the gaming world has become a new playground for hackers, scammers, and money launderers.If you’re interested in cybersecurity, gaming, cryptocurrency, or digital finance, this is a must-watch.

In this video, Geoff White, host of BBC Podcast 'Lazarus Heist', delves into the hidden world of cartels, hackers, and crypto laundering, revealing how technology is being used to move billions of dollars through secretive financial networks. He uncovers the shocking alliances between cybercriminals, money launderers, and organized crime syndicates, exposing how the tech industry has inadvertently become a tool for the world’s deadliest crooks.From North Korean hackers breaching banks and crypto firms to sophisticated laundering networks built to bypass regulations, this conversation unpacks how these shadow economies operate. Hackers may know how to break into financial systems, but when it comes to moving the stolen money, they rely on powerful laundering specialists who set up shell companies, recruit money mules, and exploit digital loopholes to clean illicit funds without detection.The rise of digital finance, instant payments, and cryptocurrency has made the problem even more alarming, giving global criminals faster and smarter ways to hide their tracks. Whether it’s drug cartels, fraud syndicates, or state-backed hacking groups, these networks leverage advanced technology to launder billions and outpace international regulators. Geoff unpacks the motives, methods, and global impact of these digital laundering systems, showing how technology has transformed the way crime moves money around the world.

In this video, Geoff White, host of BBC Podcast 'Lazarus Heist', exposes the hidden world of Southeast Asian cybercrime networks, where romance scams, pig butchering schemes, and crypto-driven fraud have evolved into a multi-billion-dollar global industry. These scams use emotional manipulation to trap victims, convincing them to invest in fake opportunities — only to be drained of their savings.Countries like Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Thailand have become hotbeds for organized cybercrime, fueled by underground casinos, crypto laundering, and poorly regulated financial systems. Many of these networks operate with little government oversight, and in some cases, authorities appear complicit in allowing these fraudulent operations to thrive.Adding another disturbing layer, thousands of people are trafficked into these regions and forced into scam operations under harsh, exploitative conditions. What seems like an online fraud problem is, in reality, a deeply rooted crisis tied to human trafficking, illegal gambling, and financial exploitation — powered by modern technology.Geoff explains how Southeast Asia became the global hub for organized scams, why these operations are growing so fast, and the devastating human cost behind them. If you are interested in the full story,watch Full Episode here: https://youtu.be/66u1zeJVKLI

In this video, Geoff White, host of BBC Podcast 'Lazarus Heist', dives into the shocking story of the Lazarus Heist — one of the most infamous cybercrime operations in the world. North Korea’s state-backed hackers have allegedly stolen billions of dollars through highly sophisticated attacks on banks, cryptocurrency firms, gaming platforms, and financial institutions worldwide.From the infamous 2016 Bangladesh Bank hack, where hackers attempted to steal $1 billion and successfully got away with $80 million, to the Cosmos Cooperative Bank ATM heist in India, which led to a $12 million loss, these operations reveal just how advanced and calculated North Korea’s cyber strategies are.The conversation also explores how the Lazarus Group shifted focus toward cryptocurrency and gaming platforms, leading to one of the biggest hacks in history — the Axie Infinity breach in 2022, where $625 million was stolen through blockchain vulnerabilities. With the rise of digital finance, crypto exchanges and gaming ecosystems have become prime targets for global cybercriminals.We also discuss how these hackers launder stolen money through underground networks, shell companies, and poorly regulated sectors, making their financial trails nearly impossible to track. This video unpacks the motives, methods, and global impact of North Korea’s state-sponsored cybercrime machine.If you’re interested in cybersecurity, cryptocurrency, or digital warfare, this is a must-watch.Watch Full Episode: https://youtu.be/66u1zeJVKLI