LIVE FROM HILL & VALLEY: Jacob Helberg, Delian Asparouhov, Christian Garrett, Josh Wolfe, Eric Glyman, Karim Atiyeh, Mike Solana, Keith Rabois, Qasar Younis, Shaun Maguire, Sampriti Bhattacharyya, David Friedberg, Joshua Steinman & more

Overview

This episode, recorded live from the Hill & Valley Forum 2025, dives into the intersection of technology, policy, and reindustrialization. Featuring a diverse lineup of founders, investors, and policymakers, the discussions explore themes like defense innovation, energy infrastructure, AI's role in manufacturing, and the evolving relationship between Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C.

Notable Quotes

- We can't afford for another country to get there first. Fusion is not just about energy; it's about safeguarding humankind. – JC Btaiche, on the strategic importance of fusion energy.

- The future of American politics is far centrism—being really extreme about being in the middle. – Eric Torenberg, on the evolving political landscape.

- Autonomy is where AI meets the warfighter. That teaming aspect is the future. – Qasar Younis, on the role of AI in defense.

🚀 Reindustrialization and Defense Innovation

- Delian Asparouhov highlighted the growing alignment between Silicon Valley and D.C., with bipartisan support for reindustrialization and defense tech. He emphasized the importance of unmanned systems and shipbuilding in the latest defense budget.

- Josh Wolfe predicted a bubble in aerospace and defense due to increased capital formation but stressed the need for a few dominant players to emerge.

- Qasar Younis discussed the spectrum of autonomy in vehicles and its applications in defense, emphasizing the importance of human-AI teaming for critical decisions.

⚡ Energy and AI in Manufacturing

- Jensen Huang (NVIDIA) framed AI as the new electricity, converting power into tokens of productivity. He underscored the need for AI factories to drive efficiency in manufacturing.

- Sampriti Bhattacharyya (Navier) showcased electric hydrofoil boats as a step-change innovation in maritime transport, reducing hydrodynamic drag and offering military and commercial applications.

- JC Btaiche (Fuze) detailed how fusion energy could decentralize power generation, enabling industrial plants to operate independently of the grid.

💡 Policy and Regulation

- Eric Glyman (Ramp) and Karim Atiyeh discussed inefficiencies in government spending, advocating for modern financial tools to streamline processes. Glyman noted that 4.7 million government credit cards are in circulation, often with minimal oversight.

- Ryan Petersen (Flexport) called for tariff reductions to prevent further decoupling from China, citing a 60% decline in freight bookings from China to the U.S.

🌐 Silicon Valley Meets Washington

- Jacob Helberg and Christian Garrett emphasized the importance of bipartisan collaboration to bridge the gap between policymakers and technologists.

- Erik Torenberg highlighted the rise of far centrism in politics, advocating for more cross-aisle dialogue to address national challenges.

- Mike Solana critiqued the rebranding of tech ideas by political figures, noting the convergence of left and right on issues like abundance and infrastructure.

🛠️ The Future of Work and Labor

- Fil Aronshtein stressed the need to preserve tribal knowledge in manufacturing as the workforce ages, advocating for tools that make industrial jobs more appealing to younger generations.

- Cornelius Schmitt (Zellerfeld) showcased 3D-printed shoes as a model for decentralized, on-demand manufacturing, reducing waste and production cycles.

This episode captures the dynamic interplay of innovation, policy, and industry, offering a roadmap for America's next industrial revolution.