In this episode of Memos to the President , NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang discusses the shift from retrieval-based computing to a generative paradigm driven by human intent. Huang argues that the U.S. must lead the "five-layer cake" of AI to trigger a massive re-industrialization that brings high-skilled manufacturing back to the West. He counters fears of job displacement, explaining that AI automates specific tasks while increasing the demand for the human purpose of innovation. The conversation als...
Apr 30, 2026•43 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In this special episode of Memos to the President, recorded live at the SCSP AI + Education Summit, SCSP CEO Ylli Bajraktari sits down with U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) and NVIDIA Co-Founder Chris Malachowsky to discuss the profound intersection of artificial intelligence, workforce development, and global competitiveness. The conversation centers on the urgent need for the United States to lead the AI revolution. With the ink "barely dry" on this technology, Senator Rounds and Malachowsky ou...
Mar 19, 2026•38 min•Season 2Ep. 4
In this episode of Memos to the President , SCSP CEO Ylli Bajraktari sits down with Dr. Dario Gil, the Undersecretary for Science at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). As a former senior executive at IBM and now the leader of America's scientific powerhouse, Dr. Gil oversees 17 National Laboratories and over 40,000 scientists. The conversation focuses on the "Genesis Mission", a bold national initiative designed to double the productivity of the U.S. research and development engine by fusing A...
Feb 23, 2026•32 min•Season 2Ep. 3
In this special episode of Memos to the President , recorded live at the Munich Security Conference, SCSP CEO Ylli Bajraktari is joined by a very special co-host: Benedikt Franke, CEO and Vice Chairman of the Munich Security Conference. Together, they sit down with General Carsten Breuer, the Chief of Defense of the German Bundeswehr, to discuss the most dangerous security environment in 40 years. The conversation centers on the "2029 Culmination Point." General Breuer provides a candid assessme...
Feb 19, 2026•18 min•Season 2Ep. 2
In this episode of Memos to the President, Ylli sits down with Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director of ORF America, to take a deep dive into the complex and evolving role of India on the world stage. Recorded in late January 2026, the conversation explores how India is navigating its relationship with a "pure competitor" in China and a shifting partnership with the United States. Jaishankar provides an expert assessment of why India's generation of strategic thinkers is more "bullish" than ever...
Feb 10, 2026•45 min•Season 2Ep. 1
In this episode of Memos to the President, Ylli sits down for a second time at the AI+ Fusion Summit with the United States Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright. In their conversation, Secretary Wright urges prioritizing fusion alongside AI and quantum, rebalancing energy spending, and previews the DOE’s next six months. Watch Memos to the President. Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel ! Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project ....
Nov 04, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 39
In this episode, SCSP President Ylli Bajraktari sits down with Brian Moore, Chief Policy Officer at Bot Auto, to unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping the auto industry and the broader U.S. industrial base. They discuss what it takes to deploy AI responsibly at scale—from transforming manufacturing and logistics to ensuring safety, transparency, and workforce readiness. Moore shares insights from Bot Auto’s work at the intersection of technology and policy, where innovation meets regul...
Oct 16, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Luke Murry, former National Security Advisor to Speaker Kevin McCarthy and now Head of Government Affairs at Marvell Technology, joins host Ylli Bajraktari on the National Mall to discuss his career trajectory, the evolution of U.S.-China tech competition, and the intersection of government and the private sector. Watch Memos to the President on YouTube. Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel ! Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Proje...
Oct 10, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 38
In this episode, Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril Industries, discusses his journey from Oculus VR to focusing on national security. He explains his decision to enter the defense industry in 2017, highlighting the challenges of the time, including the tech industry's reluctance to work on military problems and its dependence on China. Luckey emphasizes Anduril's mission as a defense products company, contrasting it with traditional contractors, and details some of their autonomous systems like ...
Sep 26, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 37
On this episode of Memos to the President, host Ylli Bajraktari is joined by retired Major General Amos Yadlin and Avner Golov from MIND Israel to discuss the evolving role of technology in global affairs. They analyze the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East and the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship, proposing a new model for technological cooperation. Watch Memos to the President on Youtube. Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel ! Memos to the President Pod...
Sep 22, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 35
On this episode of Memos to the President, host Ylli Bajraktari is joined by His Excellency Omran Sharaf, the UAE's Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Technologies and Science. They discuss the UAE's technological journey, including the strategic "Hope" Mars Mission, and the future of the U.S.-UAE relationship, proposing a new model for technological cooperation. Watch Memos to the President on Youtube. Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel ! Memos to the President Podcas...
Sep 22, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 36
In this special episode of Memos to the President, recorded on the National Mall, Ylli Bajraktari sits down with Mike Kuiken, a veteran of Capitol Hill with over two decades of experience. The conversation traces Mike's journey from a staff assistant to becoming the National Security Advisor for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. They discuss how major events like 9/11 shaped his career, his pivotal role on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and how he witnessed the shift in national securi...
Sep 04, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 34
In this episode of Memos to the President, recorded at last week’s AI+Science Summit, host Ylli Bajraktari sits down with Anthropic’s Jack Clark for a conversation on the international AI landscape, the national security risks of AI, and more! Check out Memos to the President on YouTube! Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel ! Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project ....
Jul 29, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 33
In this episode of Memos to the President, Ylli sits down with NVIDIA CEO, Jensen Huang. Their conversation goes to the heart of the strategic challenges and opportunities facing the United States. They discuss the coming waves of AI, from generative to physical and agentic AI; the immense energy required to power this new age; the future of work in a world augmented by AI; and the defining geopolitical issue of our time: the U.S.-China technology competition. Check out their conversation on the...
Jul 14, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 32
In today's episode of Memos to the President, Ylli had the opportunity to speak with Dr. JP Allain, Associate Director for Fusion Energy Sciences at the Department of Energy. They discuss the future of fusion energy, and the benefits that a 'moonshot' program could have to jump start plans to have the fusion ecosystem running in the 2030's. Discover the vision that Dr. Allain has for the future of the United State's energy development, and to stay competitive with China. Check out their conversa...
Jul 08, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 31
In this episode of Memos to the President, SanboxAQ CEO, Jack Hidary, sits down with Ylli to discuss the critical role of Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) in securing national defense and advancing key technologies. Discover how SandboxAQ is addressing vital applications like new materials for defense, more power-dense batteries for warfighters, and advanced cyber defense. Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel ! Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel ! Memos ...
Jun 24, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In today's episode of Memos to the President, Ylli had the honor of chatting with the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, General David Allvin. They discuss the future of air power, the Air Force's need to invigorate its cyber offensive capabilities, and General Allvin's concept of "more Air Force," emphasizing speed, tempo, and agility. Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel ! Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel ! Memos to the President Podcast ...
Jun 20, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In this episode of Memos to the President, Ylli had the opportunity to kick off the recent AI+ Expo with a conversation with the Vice President of Taiwan, Bi-Khim Hsiao. This conversation delves into Taiwan's vision for integrating AI across its government and economy, its pivotal role in global supply chains, and its strategic contributions to international technology development. Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel ! Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel...
Jun 17, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 28
In today’s episode of Memos to the President, Ylli had the privilege of sitting down at the recent AI+ Expo with former National Security Advisor and his former boss, Lt.Gen. (ret). H.R. McMaster. They discussed a range of issues relating to the Axis of Disruptors - China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran - and more. Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel ! Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel ! Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competi...
Jun 13, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 27
In today’s episode, Ylli had the privilege of sitting down at the recent AI+ Expo with the Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright. They dove into some important topics regarding energy, including the intersection of AI and energy, fusion energy and nuclear power, and the role and state of National Laboratories. The discussion covers Secretary Wright's vision for U.S. energy dominance through free markets, the crucial role of national laboratories as pioneers in AI, and the necessity of public-private...
Jun 11, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 26
In this episode of Memos to the President, Ylli Bajraktari speaks with Thomas Mason from Los Alamos National Laboratory. The conversation explores the rapidly evolving national security and geopolitical landscape and the critical role of technology in shaping it. Mason offers insights into the shifting dynamics between major powers and the increasing importance of scientific innovation for national security. Mason details how institutions like Los Alamos are adapting to these changes, particular...
May 13, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 25
In this episode of Memos to the President, Ylli Bajraktari speaks with Dr. S. Jaishankar, India's Minister of External Affairs. Fresh from meetings with U.S. leadership, Minister Jaishankar provides his insights into the profound changes shaping the global landscape. The discussion covers the forces of globalization, the impact of the AI revolution, the evolving dynamics of U.S.-India relations, and India's growing role on the world stage. Minister Jaishankar elaborates on the deep developments ...
Apr 29, 2025•35 min•Season 1Ep. 24
In this episode of Memos to the President , SCSP President Ylli Bajraktari speaks with Dr. Anshu Roy, CEO of Rhombus Power, Inc., about his personal and professional journey, the evolution of his work with the Department of Defense, and broader lessons about the integration of AI in public service. The discussion touches on key issues related to national security, including the potential for predictive technologies to support more timely and informed decisions. Dr. Roy also participated in SCSP’...
Apr 15, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Secretary Work is widely credited for his work with leaders in the Department and the Intelligence Community on the “Third Offset Strategy,” which aimed to restore U.S. conventional overmatch over its strategic rivals and adversaries. His career is one marked by service to his country and is truly admirable. Our wide-ranging discussion covered AI and the future of warfare, the Third Offset Strategy, and strategic guidance for the Secretary of Defense in a new administration. Check out their conv...
Mar 19, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 22
SemiAnalysis’s Dylan Patel sits down with SCSP CEO Ylli Bajraktari to discuss the future of supercomputing clusters. #ComputeSummit The Special Competitive Studies Project’s AI+Summit Series is a set of high-level events dedicated to enabling rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) as it transforms our country and becomes a keystone of our national security. The AI+ Compute & Connectivity Summit, the third in this series, took place on March 6, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Sustaining...
Mar 13, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 20
The Talent Memo outlines strategic initiatives to compete and succeed in a world driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and unprecedented technological change. A fundamental transformation of education and workforce policies is necessary to build the talent pipeline necessary for maintaining America’s leadership in critical technology sectors. Secure Global Leadership for Technology Talent Empower the American Workforce for Technological Transformation Modernize Institutions for the Digital Age ...
Mar 11, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 19
The Microelectronics Memo outlines strategic initiatives to complement manufacturing expansion with moonshots in next-generation microelectronics technologies, powering future defense platforms and large-scale AI systems. Achieve Massive Increases in AI Energy Efficiency – Ensure the United States wins the race to build post-Moore’s Law hardware to power large-scale AI systems. Expand Opportunities for Chip Startups – Prioritize disruptive innovation by creating a “atoms-to-architectures pipelin...
Mar 05, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 18
The Advanced Networks Memo outlines four strategic recommendations to reclaim American leadership in network technologies and secure a competitive edge in the 5G and impending 6G races. This agenda calls for bold actions to boost innovation, streamline regulatory processes, dominate emerging concepts, and reposition the United States as the global leader in next-generation communications in the following ways: Forge a Path to U.S. Preeminence in Network Technology: Accelerate innovation by elimi...
Feb 27, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 17
This memo outlines a plan to ensure the United States remains a global leader in quantum computing, through focused technological innovation, strategic organizational changes, and proactive policy measures. To secure U.S. leadership in quantum computing, the following priorities must be addressed: Achieve and Sustain Quantum Leadership : Moving out as a nation involves two organizational moves. First, the United States must prioritize quantum computing research and development through the promot...
Feb 25, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Michèle served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy from February 2009 to February 2012, and serves as one of SCSP's Board of Advisors. Together, they discuss AI and the future of warfare, the U.S.-China-Taiwan security dynamic, and strategic guidance for the Secretary of Defense. They reference the following article, AI is Already at War, Foreign Affairs. Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel ! Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Stu...
Feb 13, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 15
