Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence are influencing global power dynamics in ways that are reshaping the investment landscape. So, how are these AI developments impacting geopolitics, and what does this mean for investors?

Catherine Kress, Head of Geopolitical Research and Jeff Shen, co-head of systematic equities at BlackRock join Oscar to help us understand the current themes driving the intersection of AI and geopolitics, how the broader technology and AI race is evolving, and the broader implications of the shifting US policy landscape on active management opportunities.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to AI and Geopolitics

00:46 Welcome and Guest Introduction

01:44 Intersection of Geopolitics and AI for investing

02:13 US-China Technology Competition

02:36 Economic and Military Implications of AI

04:09 US Policy on AI and Technology

08:11 Impact on the Tech Sector and Investments

11:06 DeepSeek and the AI Race

19:15 Future Investing Risks and Opportunities

21:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Sources: DeepSeek model training cost claims from paper, January 2025; 60% of US tech revenues derived from overseas based on Aladdin Explore, using revenue breakdowns from the S&P 500 index as of 4/30/2024; “DeepSeek's low-cost AI spotlights billions spent by US tech” Reuters, January 2025; “How DeepSeek AI Sparks Nearly $1 Trillion U.S. Tech Implosion”, Investors Business Daily, January 2025;“Nvidia Stock Has Almost Recovered From DeepSeek Rout. There’s More Good News” Barrons, February 2025; “US government commission pushes Manhattan Project-style AI initiative”, Reuters, Nov 2024; “US tightens control on AI chips export drawing pushback” BBC, January 2025; “FACT SHEET: Ensuring U.S. Security and Economic Strength in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” White House Press Briefing, January 2025; “What Donald Trump’s Win Means For AI” Time Magazine, November 2025; “Trump plans to impose 25% tariffs on autos, chips and pharmaceuticals”, CNN, February 2025; “REMARKS BY VICE PRESIDENT VANCE AT THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) ACTION SUMMIT” US Embassy 2025, February 2025

This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to the names of each company mentioned in this communication is merely for explaining the investment strategy and should not be construed as investment advice or investment recommendation of those companies. In the UK and Non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures go to Blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosures

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Thematic investing is gaining traction in today's investing landscape, but what exactly is thematic investing and how can investors take advantage of this new trend? Jeff Shen, co-head of systematic Active Equity at BlackRock, joins Oscar to help us understand the current themes driving investment opportunities, how his team identifies and evaluates emerging themes and the role of technology in shaping the future of investing. We'll also discuss the risks associated with thematic investing and key takeaways for investors looking to capitalize on these trends.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. In the UK and Non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures go to Blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosures

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Sharp moves in bond yields have been a key area of focus in markets to start the year. Yields on 10-year treasury bonds are over 1% higher since September 2024 — a historically rare occurrence in both the direction and magnitude of moves. So, what’s driving this phenomenon and how is it reshaping the investment playbook compared to previous cycles? Jeff Rosenberg, Senior Fixed Income Portfolio Manager within the BlackRock Systematic business, will share his perspective on the different dynamics impacting bond yields and how his team is navigating this unique environment.

Sources: Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Statement based on the ACM Model of estimated term premium dating back to the 1960s; Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, referencing the US deficit as a percentage of GDP. Data accessed January 2025

This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. In the UK and Non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures go to Blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosures

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Trade policies have always been a critical aspect of global economies and recent developments in US. Tariffs have sparked market volatility and discussions around the impact on inflation. The latest tariff announcements by President Trump have sent ripples through the market, affecting various sectors, and raising questions about their long-term impact. But what exactly are these new tariffs and how will they influence US companies, global supply chains and the broader market? Joining Oscar to unpack these developments is Glenn Purves Global head of Macro in the BlackRock Investment Institute and Catherine Kress, Head of geopolitical research and Strategy at BlackRock.

This episode was recorded at 2pm, February 5th, 2025.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to the names of each company mentioned in this communication is merely for explaining the investment strategy and should not be construed as investment advice or investment recommendation of those companies. In the UK and Non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures go to Blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosures

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In a special episode recorded from Davos, host Oscar Pulido is joined by Philipp Hildebrand, Vice Chairman of BlackRock, and Tom Donilon, Chairman of the BlackRock Investment Institute, to discuss the latest insights on the macroeconomic and geopolitical outlook for 2025. Philipp and Tom will provide their expert analysis on how these dynamics are shaping the global economic environment and what it means for investors and policymakers, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes perspective from Davos. 

This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to the names of each company mentioned in this communication is merely for explaining the investment strategy and should not be construed as investment advice or investment recommendation of those companies. In the UK and Non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures go to Blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosures

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A critical theme for 2025 and beyond rebuilding the US physical economy with the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act, and other policy measures, there's a renewed focus on enhancing infrastructure, reshoring manufacturing and addressing the housing supply gap. These efforts are not just about construction and development. They're about revitalizing the US economy and creating sustainable economic growth. Joining Oscar is Jay Jacobs, US head of Thematic and Active ETFs at BlackRock. Jay will provide insights into the demographic trends influencing the housing market, the reshoring of manufacturing, and the bipartisan support for these developments

Sources: New York Governor. "Governor Hochul Announces $54 Million in State Funding to Support the Second Avenue Subway Project." 7/30/2024; Reuters. "JFK Airport's massive overhaul takes winding route through debt markets." 12/6/23; Department of Transportation. "Hudson River Tunnel Project between New York and New Jersey." July 2024; American Society of Civil Engineers. "ASCE'S Infrastructure Report Card Gives U.S. "C-" Grade, Says Investment Gap Trillion, Bold Action Needed. 3/3/2021; Report Card for America's Infrastructure. "Overview of Bridges." 2021; MRL Consulting. "Semiconductor in everyday life: products from leading companies you use daily." 7/31/24; Center for Strategic and International Studies, “Mapping the semiconductor supply chain: the critical role of the indo-pacific region,” 5/30/2023; Semiconductor Industry Association. "America Projected to Triple Semiconductor Manufacturing Capacity by 2032. The Largest Rate of Growth in the World." 5/8/24; Realtor.com, “U.S. housing supply gap grows in 2023; growth outpaces permits in fast-growing sunbelt metros,” 2/27/2024; Motley Fool Money. "Millennial Home-Buying and Homeownership Statistics." 9/10/24; CNN. “More than half of American renters who want to buy a home fear they’ll never afford one." July 29, 2024; Merrill Lynch. "Will the "Great Wealth Transfer" transform the markets?" May 2024.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to the names of each company mentioned in this communication is merely for explaining the investment strategy and should not be construed as investment advice or investment recommendation of those companies. In the UK and Non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures go to Blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosures

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As we welcome a new year, we reflect on 2024 as another strong year for equities with inflation, interest rates, and the ongoing impact of artificial intelligence. Still very much in the spotlight. 2025 is shaping up to be an intriguing year for equity investors BlackRock's Global CIO of Fundamental Equities, Tony DeSpirito, will discuss the factors driving the market where he sees the biggest equity opportunities and some of the challenges that lie ahead.

Sources: S&P 500 2 Year Return, Y Charts, ‘How Reddit Surprised Wall Street With 185% Post-IPO Surge’, Investor Business Daily, Nov 2024; Russell 1000 Value Index historical charts; 2023 GICS Changes: Companies Impacted and What You Need to Know, State Street Global Advisors, Jan 2023; The Magnificent Seven Monitor, Reuters; BlackRock Fundamental Equities with data from FactSet as of 11/30/24

This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to the names of each company mentioned in this communication is merely for explaining the investment strategy and should not be construed as investment advice or investment recommendation of those companies. In the UK and Non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures go to Blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosures

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In the second episode of our infrastructure mini-series on The Bid, guest host Mark Wiedman, speaks with Matt Harris and Salim Samaha from Global Infrastructure investing to explore one of the biggest opportunities in infrastructure, the global transition to a low carbon economy.

Sources: IEA Net Zero 2050, May 2021; Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) New Energy Outlook 2024 (May 2024); LevelTen Energy - Q1 2024 PPA Price Index Executive Summary - North America; Carbonomics, Goldman Sachs Dec 2022

This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. In the UK and Non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorized and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. Reference to the names of each company mentioned in this communication is merely for explaining the investment strategy and should not be construed as investment advice or investment recommendation of those companies. For full disclosures go to Blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosures

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In this first episode of our infrastructure miniseries on The Bid, guest host Mark Wiedman is joined by Raj Rao, Founding Partner, President and Chief Operating Officer of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), now a part of BlackRock to talk infrastructure investing 101, how the asset class started, what's driving its growth and why it's becoming a must have in investors' portfolios.

Sources: “Data center spending skyrockets as cloud building rush accelerates”, CIO Dive, Sep 2024; “The Infrastructure Opportunity: Listed Versus Unlisted”, Institutional Investor 2022

This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to the names of each company mentioned in this communication is merely for explaining the investment strategy and should not be construed as investment advice or investment recommendation of those companies. In the UK and Non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures go to Blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosures

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As we look back, 2024 was marked by a delicate balance between economic recovery and ongoing challenges. Despite some positive developments, the global economy faced hurdles that influenced investor sentiment and strategic decisions. Central banks navigated complex inflationary pressures, while investors sought to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. Jean Boivin, Head of The BlackRock Investment Institute, joins Oscar to help us look ahead to the new year. Jean will provide insights into the structural shifts we anticipate and explain how investors can navigate the five mega forces that the BlackRock Investment Institute identifies as key drivers of the new macro regime.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. In the UK and Non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorized and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. Reference to the names of each company mentioned in this communication is merely for explaining the investment strategy and should not be construed as investment advice or investment recommendation of those companies. For full disclosures go to Blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosures

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.