E15 - Jail Time for AI? The DeepSeek Scandal, Market Meltdowns, and the Battle for AI Supremacy

Hey, it’s Julia. Buckle up, because this episode dives into one of the wildest AI shakeups of 2025. When a tiny Chinese startup dropped DeepSeek R1—a ChatGPT-level AI built for just $5M—itsentshockwavesthroughWallStreet,wiped$600B off Nvidia’s value in a single day, and triggered a U.S. government panic so intense they’re proposing 20-year prison sentences for using unapproved AI. Let’s unpack:

Key Topics:

• The Nvidia Meltdown: How DeepSeek’s open-source model caused the largest single-day market crash in U.S. history… and why Wall Street totally misread the threat.

• The “AI Prison” Bill: Senator Josh Hawley’s radical proposal to criminalize DeepSeek users—is this about national security or stifling competition?

• China’s Data Backdoor: Hidden code, state-owned servers, and the terrifying privacy risks of “free” AI tools built under Chinese law.

• The AI Arms Race: Why this isn’t just about apps or stock prices—it’s a fight for global AI supremacy and the path to superintelligence.

• First Movers AI Labs: Sneak peek at our upcoming launch (over 30 courses!) to help you build AI-proof workflows, clone your digital twin, and future-proof your biz.

The Big Question: Would you risk using a cheaper, powerful AI if it meant your data could end up in the hands of a foreign government? Or should the U.S. ban it outright? Let’s get controversial—drop your take in the comments.

👉 P.S. Want to stay ahead of the curve? Join the waitlist for First Movers AI Labs (launching soon!): firstmovers.ai/labs. We’re giving you the tools to outthink, outcreate, and outpace the AI revolution.

Catch you in the next rabbit hole. 🎙️

 

Join Julia for an in-depth discussion on one of the most critical challenges facing the future of AI development and economic prosperity.

Connect with Julia:

YouTube: https://youtube.com/juliamccoy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaemccoy/

X: https://x.com/juliaemccoy