The Infiniti Machine - A WorldNow Conversation with Sebastian Mallaby

At a time when there is growing pushback against AI, Sebastian Mallaby, the Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics at the Council on Foreign Relations, joined me for a wide-ranging conversation based on his latest bestseller, The Infinity Machine. Mallaby has a unique talent for building compelling narratives around fascinating individuals and the forces shaping their fields. In The Infinity Machine, he focuses on Demis Hassabis, founder of DeepMind, exploring his lifelong drive for competition, scientific discovery, and innovation. During our conversation, Sebastian reflected on how three years of research changed his own thinking about whether AI represents a profound threat or an extraordinary opportunity. We also discussed the growing competition between China and the United States, and whether winning that race truly matters. Sebastian explains why he believes governments must play a role in regulating AI and suggests that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons could serve as a useful model for international cooperation and oversight. This conversation, which was hosted by the World Affairs Council of Connecticut, was recorded on May 20, 2026.