All Segments
Lux Capital’s Josh Wolfe & Axios’ Dan Primack
9 segments available
Axios business editor Dan Primack speaks to Lux Capital co-founder Josh Wolfe at Axios’ AI+ NY Summit 2025.
Segments Timeline
The AI Race: US vs. China
Josh Wolfe discusses the geopolitical implications of the AI revolution, emphasizing the competitive landscape between the US and China. He highlights the significant number of AI scientists being trained in China and the importance of nurturing young talent in the US to maintain a competitive edge.
"Hello again. Uh so one of the best ways to understand any sort of technological revolution and in this case the AI revolution is to follow the money and there are few people who follow it better than ..."
National Security and AI Threats
Wolfe elaborates on the national security threats posed by advancements in AI, particularly focusing on the rapid development of AI models in China. He warns about the implications of censorship and the potential for biased AI models that could shape global narratives.
"Germany did. Uh but winning in the terms of uh restricting chip access is going to be foolhardy in that uh uh people necessity is the mother of invention. People are going to invent around it. They're..."
The Future of Data Centers
In this segment, Wolfe critiques the current trend of building extensive data centers, questioning the sustainability of such investments. He discusses the historical parallels with past tech booms and the potential for a bubble in the data center market.
"So if you search for wiguers or tanaman square today being the anniversary thereof uh you will never find that kind of stuff because it is censored and so I've had these debates with some of the folks..."
Investing in Nuclear Energy
Wolfe shares his perspective on nuclear energy, advocating for its potential while expressing skepticism about small modular reactors. He emphasizes the need for larger power plants and discusses the challenges of energy distribution in the context of AI and data center demands.
"we are building out too much? The talk is usually we're not building out enough and you know every time there's a new data center gets announced people get very excited about it. We spending too much ..."
On-Device AI Inference
Wolfe presents a contrarian view on AI inference, suggesting that a significant portion will occur on-device rather than in large data centers. He references Apple's research on memory usage and discusses the implications for future AI applications.
"a lot of sense. The thing that I think is interesting doesn't make a lot not doesn't make a lot of sense because you don't think it will work the way that people are hoping it will work or because you..."
The Rise of Defense Tech Investments
Wolfe analyzes the recent influx of venture capital into defense technology, attributing it to successful companies like Anduril. He discusses the changing attitudes towards defense investments and the potential for a bubble in the sector.
"perplexity chatbt whatever in the cloud. Does that mean as if you see it's funny I I god I'm going to date myself and probably get the dates wrong but I feel about a decade ago there was a boom of mem..."
The Moral Dilemma of Defense Investments
In this segment, Wolfe addresses the ethical considerations surrounding defense investments. He discusses the evolving perspectives of limited partners (LPs) and the implications of investing in companies involved in military applications.
"what happened. My guess would be 1 to 2% of the people that were actually there at that Reagan National Defense Forum in California have since applied for a job at Andreal. um it has become successful..."
The Future of American Science
Wolfe reflects on the challenges facing American science, particularly in light of funding cuts and immigration policies. He emphasizes the importance of federal support for research and the need to attract global talent to maintain innovation.
"where in Andre, salone, Hadrien, Varta Impulse, etc. that I think are going to be, winners,, but, there's, going to, be, a long tale of companies that are just shitty or frauds. Um, you have LPs thoug..."
AI Optimism vs. Dumerism
Wolfe shares his optimistic outlook on the future of AI, highlighting its potential to enhance human life and creativity. He contrasts this with concerns about job displacement, emphasizing the enduring value of human interaction and creativity in an AI-driven world.
"companies and you will get a bubble. Uh let me something you said at the beginning of this when we were talking about China and the US you were talking about uh you talked a little bit about students ..."