The prisoner’s dilemma is one of the most famous concepts in game theory: two players must decide whether to act in self-interest or trust each other. In business, we face the same choice every day. Do you squeeze your partners for every advantage, or build relationships that create value for both sides?

In this episode of Hardware is Forever, Amtech CEO Jay Patel explores how game theory helps explain why self-protection often leads to stalled deals and missed opportunities, while cooperation creates resilience, growth, and long-term profitability. From vendor negotiations to team alignment, trust and collaboration are not weaknesses. They are the strategy that sustains success.