Ep. 98: A Conversation with Adam Thierer: The War on Computation - Why AI Must Stay Permissionless

About this episode

Adam Thierer discusses the implications of AI regulation and the importance of maintaining a permissionless environment for innovation.

Two years ago, policymakers floated a global AI pause, some even suggested bombing data centers to stop progress. Today, the U.S. is pulling back from the brink. Adam Thierer, author of Permissionless Innovation and Evasive Entrepreneurs , joins Niklas to unpack: * How the “war on computation” began and the moment the tide turned * Why sectors “born free” explode with innovation, while “born in captivity” stay stuck * The explosion of 1,000+ AI-related bills across U.S. states and the risk of a regulatory maze * The strange alliance between the far left and far right to slow progress * Why AI could be the ultimate technology of freedom or a tool for repression * Why compared to 2 years ago there are reasons to be more optimistic now. If you’re building in AI, biotech, or any frontier space, this is your field guide to defending the right to build. More about Adam’s work: * Adam’s X * Medium * Amazon Books Explore Infinita City: * Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times * Visit Infinita City * Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram * Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit…

People in this episode

Host: Niklas

Guest: Adam Thierer

Topics covered

• AI regulation
• innovation
• computation
• technology freedom
• policy
• entrepreneurship

Keywords

• AI
• regulation
• innovation
• computation
• freedom
• policy
• entrepreneurship

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Infinita City

Books & works: Permissionless Innovation, Evasive Entrepreneurs

More episodes of Stranded Technologies Podcast

• Ep. 110: Tomas Pueyo & Trey Goff On The Next Silicon Valley Might Be A New Country · June 4, 2026 · 2h 27m
• Ep. 109: Jonathan Anomaly on The Future of Human Enhancement, Genetic Selection & Startup Societies · May 21, 2026 · 1h 22m
• Ep. 108: The Buck Inst. President, Eric Verdin, on Pathways to Life Extension Acceleration: Alternative Pathways and Radical Hopium vs. Scientific Realism · May 8, 2026 · 46 min
• Ep. 107: Sid Sijbrandij On Beating Cancer with First Principles, n = 1 Personalized Treatments and Special Access Regulatory Pathways · April 10, 2026 · 47 min
• Ep. 106: Yaron Brook: Capitalism, Ayn Rand, and the Moral Case for Freedom · March 18, 2026 · 1h 13m
• Ep. 105: Andrew Hessel: Programming DNA and Engineering the Future of Life · February 20, 2026 · 1h 6m