Who is the real Sam Altman? 5/20/25

Squawk Pod

CNBC

Business News, News, Investing, Business

4.2 • 543 Ratings

🗓️ 20 May 2025

⏱️ 35 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

After conducting over 300 interviews and spending seven years reporting on artificial intelligence, tech journalist and Empire of AI author Karen Hao discusses the story behind OpenAI and its founder Sam Altman, the current state of AI development, the potential risks and benefits of the technology, and the company's relationship with Microsoft. Then, Mike Gallagher, head of defense at Palantir Technologies and former U.S. Congressman, shares insights on the U.S.-China tech conflict, the dangers of using Huawei chips, the role of American companies operating in China, and the future of Taiwan. Plus, Home Depot reaffirmed its full-year guidance and said it will not raise prices due to tariffs, and Republicans are making progress on advancing a bill aligned with former President Trump’s agenda in the House. Mike Gallagher 19:52 Karen Hao 29:20 Emily Wilkins,@emrwilkins Mike Gallagher, @RepGallagher Karen Hao, @_KarenHao Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Zach Vallese, @zachvallese

Transcript

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0:00.0	Bring in show music please.
0:03.0	This is Squawk Pod from CNBC.
0:07.0	Here's what you need to know today.
0:10.0	Trade Wars and a Tech Race.
0:13.0	Congressman turned Defense Industry Exec, Palanteers Mike Gallagher,
0:17.0	on deals and competition.
0:20.0	We still have a better hand.
0:21.6	We just have to play it well in the world state.
0:23.6	After the U.S. issued an industry warning against using Chinese computer chips.
0:29.6	Across the world, people still want to be the friend of the United States of America.
0:33.6	In China, the Chinese Communist Party, is not interested in having allies. They want
0:37.8	vassal states that they can control. And who is OpenAI Sam Altman, the author of the latest
0:44.4	biography on the tech CEO changing the game for artificial intelligence. Karen Howe joins us.
0:51.8	My greatest concern is that we are pursuing a path of AI development that is extremely
0:57.0	harmful to a lot of people around the world.
1:00.0	Plus, Home Depot doesn't plan to raise prices due to tariffs.
1:05.0	For now, J.P. Morgan chases Jamie Diamond with a warning on complacency.
1:10.0	And President Trump's big, beautiful Bill comes down to the wire.
1:13.6	Our Emily Wilkins reports.
1:16.6	Republican leaders are still struggling to get consensus on Trump's mega bill and tax package.
1:22.6	But there could be fallout on the Big Beautiful cost.
1:26.6	If we're running these budget deficits now, what happens when we do see an economic downturn?
	...

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