Condoleezza Rice: U.S. Tech at Risk Amid University Cuts, China Threat

Condoleezza Rice is a former U.S. Secretary of State and current director of Stanford’s Hoover Institution. Rice joins Big Technology to discuss whether the United States can hold its technological edge as China races ahead in AI, batteries, and advanced manufacturing. Tune in to hear her candid take on the U.S.–China tech arms race, the ripple effects of chip export controls, and why she believes democracies are safer stewards of frontier technologies. We also cover the squeeze on university research funding, immigration-driven talent pipelines, and tuition-fueled class divides. Hit play for a data-rich, no-fluff conversation on the special sauce for the U.S. tech industry and the risks it faces in our current political environment. Learn more about the Hoover Technology Policy Accelerator here: https://www.hoover.org/research-teams/technology-policy-accelerator --- Enjoying Big Technology Podcast? Please rate us five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ in your podcast app of choice. Want a discount for Big Technology on Substack + Discord? Here’s 25% off for the first year: https://www.bigtechnology.com/subscribe?coupon=0843016b Questions? Feedback? Write to: bigtechnologypodcast@gmail.com Chapters: 00:00 Intro – U.S. vs China Tech Lead & Civilizational AI Stakes 04:20 Why Democracies Matter If AI Goes Wrong 07:30 Chips, TSMC & The Taiwan Risk 15:00 Universities: America’s Innovation Engine (“No Plan B”) 18:20 Research Cuts, Endowments & Funding Reality 20:55 Global Talent Pipeline – Visas & Immigration 24:30 Tuition Inflation, Class Divide & Who Gets To Innovate 31:50 GOP Paradox + Policy Path Forward (Closing Takeaways)