AI competition, Technofutures and Writing with Selina Xu
NüVoices
Apr 29
AI competition, Technofutures and Writing with Selina Xu
AI competition, Technofutures and Writing with Selina Xu
NüVoices
Apr 29
In this episode, host Chenni Xu sits down with journalist and researcher Selina Xu to explore the intricate dynamics of US-China AI competition, the cultural phenomenon of Sinofuturism, and the personal craft of writing. Selina shares insights from her academic work and professional experience, offering a nuanced perspective on how technology is perceived and developed across the two nations.
Selina Xu begins by discussing her senior thesis on Sinofuturism, which examines US-China tech competition and China's future-oriented optimism during the COVID-19 pandemic, contrasting Western anxiety with Chinese pride. She notes a shift from 'peak China' narratives to renewed techno-optimism with the rise of DeepSeek in 2025. Selina contrasts US and Chinese AI visions: the US pursues scaling toward AGI, while China adopts an 'AI plus' tool approach across sectors. She highlights potential cooperation areas, such as preventing non-state actor misuse and establishing global norms. Selina also shares her personal use of AI for mundane tasks, her path from journalism to AI policy research, and her current fiction project about a mandatory dating app in a near-future China. The conversation concludes with recommendations for books, musicals, and self-care practices.
00:08
00:08
China's future-oriented optimism contrasted Western anxiety
06:16
06:16
China's techno-optimism contrasts with US skepticism
12:14
12:14
US pursues scaling toward AGI, China adopts 'AI plus' tool approach.
18:11
18:11
Shared vulnerabilities require global norms.
24:36
24:36
Speculative fiction allows exploration of unthinkable possibilities.
