Famous venture capitalist a16z founder Marc Andreessen stated in an interview on 12/28 that Silicon Valley's tech sector, U.S. policies, AI, cryptocurrency, and the free market are undergoing unprecedented major changes.
Silicon Valley's self-reflection and counterattack, as the industry makes a significant move into the policy domain.
Andreessen states that Silicon Valley was once a 'political insulating body,' with many tech companies believing that politics had nothing to do with their core business. However, as the Biden administration's policies increasingly impact the industry, there is a growing awareness that if they do not engage in discussions, they may face more restrictions in the future.
In recent years, political correctness movements like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have emerged, causing significant internal conflicts and a crisis of productivity in Silicon Valley. Additionally, the increasing regulatory policies from the government on cryptocurrency and AI have become obstacles to industry innovation, forcing the entire Silicon Valley to participate in policy-making.
Musk's acquisition of Twitter is key; urging the U.S. to reject European policies.
Andreessen specifically points out that Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter is a landmark event that significantly weakened the restrictions of cancel culture on free speech, becoming a rallying cry for Silicon Valley to push back against past extreme cultural and policy trends.
Andreessen calls on the U.S. not to continue imitating Europe's high-intervention, low-innovation policy model. 'The U.S. must place greater emphasis on innovation and free market development, or else the economy may stagnate or decline,' he warns.
The tug-of-war between AI technological innovation and regulations
Regarding the key factors affecting AI development, Andreessen believes that it is not just technological breakthroughs but is also constrained by policy regulations. He cites that although the EU promotes the AI Act and is called a 'global regulatory leader,' it has been criticized for suppressing innovation. Andreessen believes that excessive intervention in Europe has led many AI talents to flock to the U.S., aiding U.S. dominance in the AI field.
Andreessen also believes that the Trump administration's direction in technology policy will greatly affect the AI field. He says that as AI technology gradually permeates emerging areas such as autonomous driving, robotics, and Mars exploration, Trump's policy support becomes quite significant.
Cryptocurrency has shifted from a free frenzy to Biden's crackdown, with Trump's policies being key.
In response to the cryptocurrency market's huge shift from free growth to policy intervention, especially the Biden administration's comprehensive crackdown on exchanges and tax policies, the market has fallen into a slump. He suggests that if the Trump administration adjusts its regulatory direction to allow innovation and market order to coexist, it would help restore investor confidence in the crypto market. If future policy directions are not as we expect and become even harsher, the U.S. may lose its global fintech leadership.
(a16z talks about the U.S.: The Biden administration manipulates the media to suppress AI innovation, and the Trump phenomenon changes the worldview)
This article from a16z founder: Silicon Valley, pressured by Biden's crackdown, is forced to enter the policy arena; Trump’s policies are crucial for the development of AI and cryptocurrency, first appearing in Chain News ABMedia.