What happens when a new think tank gets tens of millions of dollars to address national security + tech questions? Magic (in the form of many many good reports)!

Dewey Murdick, director of CSET, discusses how the organization has brought a new level of rigor to hot topics ranging from chips to immigration and AI safety policy.

We also discuss:

• CSET's Map of Science and the fate of Google Scholar
• Being beholden to the checkbooks of funders
• Topics that make policymakers' eyes roll - but shouldn't
• The optimal employment conditions for growing temperate, nice, low-ego, tasty fruit

Please consider supporting ChinaTalk at https://www.patreon.com/ChinaTalk for an ad-free feed.

Outtro music that Dewey eventually got around to sending me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41U78QP8nBk Daisy Bell - the first computer to sing

Get bonus content on Patreon

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.