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Home>Blog>Podcast>AI Is the New Space Race: Energy, Ethics, and Global Impact – from WAC Houston | Episode #0015

AI Is the New Space Race: Energy, Ethics, and Global Impact – from WAC Houston | Episode #0015

  • 2025-06-21
  • Posted by: Brad Groux
  • Category: Podcast
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AI Is the New Space Race: Energy, Ethics, and Global Impact

In Episode 0015 of Start Small, Think Big, we take a step back to look at the bigger picture of artificial intelligence, not just as a technological advancement, but as a global, economic, and societal force reshaping everything from boardrooms to classrooms to battlefields.

This episode is based on Brad Groux‘s recent presentation at the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, where we explored AI’s far-reaching impact on infrastructure, education, policy, and the future of work. From the rise of agentic AI to the energy crisis fueling (and threatening) AI’s growth, we cover the foundational shifts leaders need to understand right now.

Why AI Is the New Space Race

The global pursuit of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is no longer confined to research labs or Silicon Valley. It’s becoming a strategic priority for countries and companies alike, one that will determine economic leverage, digital sovereignty, and competitive advantage in the decades ahead.

In this episode, we unpack:

  • The evolution of AI from question-answering engines to action-driven agents
  • The rising challenge of energy consumption in scaling large models
  • Why human oversight remains critical in an age of intelligent automation
  • The ethical tradeoffs of reinforcement learning and model delegation
  • The geopolitical race for AI supremacy, and what it means for innovation policy

Energy: The Real Bottleneck in AI Advancement

While most discussions around AI focus on data or model performance, we shine a light on what we believe to be the true limiting factor: energy.

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AI Power Demands (Source: 2024 U.S. Data Center Energy Usage Report)

AI’s exponential growth comes with exponential power demands. According to the 2024 U.S. Data Center Energy Usage Report, we’re on a collision course with resource constraints that will define the pace and direction of innovation itself.

If AI is the engine, energy is the fuel, and we must start building accordingly.

Gratitude to the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston

We’re incredibly grateful to the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston for the opportunity to contribute to such a timely and important conversation.

Special thanks to Ronan O’Malley, Sandija Bayot, Maria Guarache, Eli Quezada Toro and the entire WAC Houston team for their leadership in convening forward-looking conversations on global issues. Your work in bridging civic, academic, and business perspectives is more valuable than ever in this transformative era.

If you’re a business leader, policy strategist, educator, or just AI-curious, this episode offers a systems-level lens on how artificial intelligence is shaping the next chapter of global progress. Also, be sure to check out WAC Houston’s event calendarfor more.

At Digital Meld, we believe that staying curious and thinking boldly is the best way to lead through change.

New SSTB episodes are released every Friday across all major podcast platforms (direct links below), with video available on Spotify and YouTube. Follow along to empower your AI journey!

Summary

In this episode, Brad Groux discusses his recent presentation on artificial intelligence at the World Affairs Council of Houston. He explores the multifaceted impact of AI on business, society, and global affairs, emphasizing the importance of understanding AI beyond just technology. The conversation delves into the evolution of AI, the race for artificial general intelligence, the critical role of energy in AI development, and the implications of agentic AI. Ethical considerations and the challenges of reinforcement learning are also highlighted, along with real-world applications of AI.

Keywords

AI, artificial intelligence, business, society, technology, automation, energy, ethics, reinforcement learning, general intelligence, AI, innovation, education, cybersecurity, job displacement, energy consumption, geopolitics, healthcare, automation, future workforce

Takeaways

  • AI is not just about technology; it encompasses infrastructure, energy, and governance.
  • The evolution of AI has been ongoing since the 1940s, with significant advancements in recent years.
  • The race for artificial general intelligence (AGI) is crucial for global competitiveness.
  • Energy demands for AI development are a significant concern for the future.
  • Agentic AI refers to automation processes enhanced by AI, but it requires human oversight.
  • Current AI models achieve about 70% accuracy, necessitating human involvement for critical tasks.
  • Reinforcement learning accelerates AI learning but can lead to unintended consequences like cheating.
  • Ethical considerations in AI development are paramount, especially regarding biases and security.
  • AI has the potential to solve major global challenges, including the energy crisis.
  • Real-world applications of AI are expanding rapidly, with significant implications for various industries. AI represents a new space race for humanity.
  • Education must evolve to teach problem-solving skills.
  • Cybersecurity will need to be augmented by AI.
  • We are in the sixth wave of innovation driven by AI.
  • AI’s energy consumption is a growing concern.
  • Geopolitical dynamics are shifting due to AI advancements.
  • The future of energy is crucial for AI development.
  • AI has the potential to revolutionize healthcare diagnostics.
  • Curiosity and adaptability are key in the AI era.
  • Technology serves as a great equalizer for businesses.

Titles

  • Exploring AI’s Role in Global Affairs
  • The Intersection of AI and Business Innovation
  • Understanding the Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
  • The Future of AI: Challenges and Opportunities
  • Energy: The Backbone of AI Development

Sound Bites

  • “AI is not just about technology.”
  • “We’re still in the infancy of AI.”
  • “The biggest concern right now is energy.”
  • “AI can learn to cheat.”
  • “AI is going to solve our energy crisis.”
  • “This is the new space race.”
  • “We’re on the sixth wave of innovation.”
  • “Energy is the limiting factor.”
  • “We need research planning strategy.”
  • “Be curious and use these tools.”
  • “Technology is a great equalizer.”

Resources

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI and the World Affairs Council

02:48 AI’s Impact on Business and Society

05:54 Understanding AI: Definitions and Concepts

09:11 The Evolution of AI: Past, Present, and Future

12:13 The Race for Artificial General Intelligence

15:05 The Role of Energy in AI Development

17:54 Agentic AI: Automation and Its Implications

21:12 Challenges and Ethical Considerations in AI

23:57 Reinforcement Learning and Its Consequences

26:59 AI in Practice: Case Studies and Real-World Applications

28:52 The New Space Race: AI and Innovation

31:38 Education and the Future Workforce

34:27 AI in Cybersecurity and Job Displacement

39:04 The Sixth Wave of Innovation

42:52 AI Data Centers and Energy Consumption

46:42 Geopolitical Implications of AI Development

51:31 The Future of Energy and AI

55:21 AI in Healthcare and Diagnostics

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