China's AI Ascent: DeepSeek, Constraints, and the Global Tech Race with Dan Wong

Join hosts Chris Baker (Hong Kong) and Renee Hartman (Portugal) on this week’s episode of Commerce Beyond Borders as they sit down with Dan Wong, AI Forum Director at the Conference Board, professor, and tech innovation veteran. Fresh off the buzz around China’s DeepSeek—a groundbreaking AI model challenging Western counterparts with its cost-efficiency and open-source approach—Dan unpacks China’s rapid rise in the AI ecosystem. From his early days running an AI startup in Hangzhou in 2014 to navigating today’s geopolitical tensions, Dan shares firsthand insights into: The inflection point in AI: How China’s constraints (like U.S. chip bans) fueled innovation. DeepSeek’s disruption: Why smaller, cheaper models could redefine global AI adoption. East vs. West: Contrasting development philosophies—scaling laws vs. pragmatic ingenuity. Open-source vs. closed-source: What DeepSeek’s strategy signals for the future of AI collaboration. Global implications: How businesses can navigate AI’s exponential growth amid geopolitical friction. Whether you’re a tech leader, investor, or simply curious about AI’s next chapter, this episode offers a rare lens into China’s tech ecosystem and its ripple effects worldwide. Subscribe to Commerce Beyond Borders for weekly deep dives into global business, tech, and cross-border innovation. Available wherever you get your podcasts.