<p>Why is America uniquely terrified of AI while the world races ahead? The arguments driving that fear often collapse under scrutiny—real concerns go unaddressed.</p><p>In this Talk Cocktail podcast, economist and author of the Noahopinion Substack,<strong> Noah Smith </strong>helps us understand what happened to American optimism—and why our fear may be built on foundations far shakier than we realize.</p><p>Somewhere between our childhood dreams of robot friends and today’s reality of having them in our pockets, America lost its nerve.</p><p>While China, India, South Korea, and even traditionally cautious Europe race toward artificial intelligence with enthusiasm, the United States stands alone—the most terrified nation on earth about a technology we’re simultaneously pioneering. The disconnect is as profound as it is puzzling: the same country that wired itself for the internet faster than anyone else, that sent people to the moon when computers had less power than a modern toaster, now trembles at the prospect of tools that could democratize knowledge itself.</p><p></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Talk Cocktail Podcast at <a href="https://jeffschechtman.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">jeffschechtman.substack.com/subscribe</a>