Jeffrey Ding: Technology Diffusion and National Strength: The New Logic of Competition in the Age of GPTs

How does the diffusion of general-purpose technologies (GPTs)—rather than mere innovation—redefine the dynamics of global power competition? In this episode, CISS China Forum invites Professor Jeffrey Dean from George Washington University to a in-depth discussion with CISS fellow, Dr. Dong Ting, on how diffusion shapes economic competition, inspired by his latest book. Prof. Dean offers insights into U.S. and Chinese technological strategies, the military-civilian nexus of GPT diffusion and recent policy shifts from “innovation-centric” to “diffusion-driven” paradigms. The dialogue also explores future research frontiers, including gender inclusivity in STEM education and open-source ecosystems, offering a fresh lens to decode technology’s role in global power transitions.