Perspectives with Wenchi Yu

Wenchi Yu
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Perspectives with Wenchi Yu presents on-the-ground views from Asia about Trump 2.0's policies and politics and their implications for China, Taiwan, Asia, and beyond. Wenchi Yu interviews business and political leaders with deep experience working on and living in the Asia Pacific region.

  1. 2d ago

    Ep. 48 Asia’s AI Moment: Talent, Infrastructure, and Tech Giants’ Asia Strategy

    Host Wenchi Yu speaks with former Google Taiwan HR head Vanessa Lu about how the AI race has three interconnected layers: infrastructure—chips, energy, data centers, and supply chains; models—the research and engineering talent behind AI systems; and products—the devices and markets that bring AI into everyday life.  Vanessa recounts how Google chose Taiwan as its first data-center location in Asia more than a decade ago, drawn by the island’s dense technology ecosystem, strong ICT supply chain, fast and collaborative engineering culture, and ability to rapidly assemble the components needed to test and scale cloud infrastructure.  Asia is the future of AI not only because it is home to roughly two-thirds of the world’s population, but because it combines young, technology-ready consumers, optimism toward AI adoption, deep manufacturing capabilities, expanding data-center capacity, and increasingly mobile global talent. Taiwan anchors advanced-chip manufacturing and hardware integration; India provides deep engineering talent and rapid infrastructure growth; Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Thailand, offers scalable data-center development and receptive markets; while China adds exceptional scale, talent, and speed of adoption. The United States and Europe remain vital hubs for frontier research, but Asia’s full-stack ecosystem—from energy and chips to models, products, and users—will be central to determining how AI develops and who benefits from it. 00:00 — Introducing Vanessa Liu and AI’s hidden infrastructure story 01:30 — Inside Google Taiwan: HTC integration, COVID, and the AI boom 02:20 — The ChatGPT moment and tech’s new sense of urgency 05:00 — How Google responded: from leadership signals to company-wide action 06:30 — Why AI is more than models: infrastructure, computing, and supply chains 07:50 — The three layers of AI: infrastructure, models, and products 08:55 — Why Taiwan became central to AI infrastructure 09:40 — Why Google chose Taiwan for its first Asian data center 12:00 — Taiwan’s technology ecosystem and culture of rapid experimentation 12:40 — Google’s HTC integration and Taiwan’s rise as an R&D hub 15:00 — Taiwan, China, and the competition for hardware and talent 16:40 — Asia’s role in Google’s long-term AI strategy 17:00 — Why Asia is the future: population, youth, and AI optimism 19:00 — India, Malaysia, and Thailand: scaling data centers across Asia 20:30 — India’s engineering talent and AI-product development 21:30 — Asia as the market for AI products, devices, and adoption 22:40 — How Asia’s full-stack AI ecosystem compares with the U.S. and Europe 24:00 — Go-to-market investment: Japan, Singapore, Australia, and beyond 25:00 — China’s AI ecosystem: scale, talent, and consumer adoption 27:00 — Taiwan–China talent flows and new opportunities in AI 28:10 — Taiwan’s push to attract global technology talent 29:00 — The AI race beyond models: talent, infrastructure, partnerships, and products Perspectives with Wenchi Yu YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkK1a7U8kP0TgXhvI5Bj70H4cPPlapCdQ&si=RuA_jZROR2ynRbxH Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kXiEF08IjtT3j1DyEnBbG?si=68ab3ea172594620 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspectives-with-wenchi-yu/id1793854395

  2. Sep 21

    Ep. 47 Former TSMC CFO Lora Ho on Trust, Culture, and Leadership in the AI Era

    In this special episode recorded live in Taipei, host Wenchi Yu speaks with Lora Ho, former Chief Financial Officer of TSMC. Lora reflects on nearly three decades helping guide TSMC from a rising Taiwanese chipmaker into a company central to the global digital economy. She explains how TSMC built customer relationships on integrity, commitment, innovation, and trust—often without formal contracts—and why the company continued to invest through semiconductor downturns despite short-term financial pressure. Ho also shares lessons from her work across finance, global business, human resources, and ESG: sustainable success depends not only on technology and operational discipline, but also on empathy, respectful communication, cultural adaptability, and the ability to bring people together around a common purpose. In the AI era, she argues, there is more than one way to win—and human connection, courage, and trust remain indispensable. 00:00 Introduction to Laura and TSMC's Global Impact 00:27 Laura's Career and Leadership Philosophy 01:42 The Concept of Going with the Flow in Leadership 02:35 Passing on Leadership and Organizational Culture 03:48 Building Customer Trust Without Contracts 06:36 Balancing Financial Discipline and Long-term Investment 09:31 The Human Element in Technology and Leadership 10:26 Managing People and Leadership Challenges 12:20 Creating a Culture of Respect and Communication 13:24 Global Cultural Adaptation and Localization 15:28 Women in Leadership at TSMC 16:54 Supporting Women and Diversity Initiatives 18:05 Leadership Style and Cultural Differences 19:18 Winning Through Empathy and Collaboration 20:15 The Personal Practice of Sunrise Photography 22:21 Closing Remarks and Inspirational Insights Perspectives with Wenchi Yu YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkK1a7U8kP0TgXhvI5Bj70H4cPPlapCdQ&si=RuA_jZROR2ynRbxH Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kXiEF08IjtT3j1DyEnBbG?si=68ab3ea172594620 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspectives-with-wenchi-yu/id1793854395

  3. Aug 31

    Ep. 46 Beyond U.S.–China: What the Yen Intervention Reveals About Japan’s Rising Role

    Host Wenchi Yu speaks with Andrew McDermott, founder of Mission Value Partners and a longtime Japan-focused investor, about the significance of U.S.–Japan coordination on the yen, the relationship between currency policy and reindustrialization, and why Japan’s industrial capabilities matter for economic and national security. McDermott argues that as the US, Japan, and China navigate currency volatility, industrial policy, and rising geopolitical competition, Japan is more than a US ally, but a central strategic and economic leader. He explains why the world should look beyond a binary U.S.–China framework. He makes the case that Japan—alongside Taiwan, South Korea, India, Australia, and Southeast Asian partners—offers a viable foundation for resilient supply chains, advanced manufacturing, technology collaboration, and regional deterrence. The conversation also examines China’s role in global finance and industrial production, Japan’s investments across Asia and the United States, and why universities, investors, and policymakers should rebuild U.S.–Japan exchange and expertise. Further Reading: Andrew McDermott’s essay, “What If Japan Is Winning?”Clyde Prestowitz, Japan Restored (2015)Russell Napier, America, China, and the Death of the International Monetary Non-System (2024)U.S.–Japan Foundation report, “Japan, the Indispensable Ally—Except in U.S. Academia”ASEAN Studies Centre at the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute, The State of Southeast Asia 2026 Survey 00:00 Introduction to Japan's Role in Asia and the US-Japan Relationship 02:37 The Significance of the July 31 Yen Intervention 04:00 US and Japan's Shared Goals in Currency Stabilization 05:16 Currency as a Tool for National Security and Reindustrialization 07:12 The Long-Term Strategy Behind China's Currency and Industrial Policies 13:32 Japan's Economic and Military Partnerships in Asia 16:15 Japanese Soft Power and Cultural Influence 17:22 Public Perception of Japan in Asia 18:15 Japan's Investment in Regional Infrastructure 19:24 Financial Strategies and Investment Shifts from China to Japan 21:16 China's Deliberate Economic Strategies and Their Consequences 24:12 The Need for a Strategic Shift Toward Japan 25:01 What to Do in Response to Global Shifts 28:37 The Future of Currency Interventions and Regional Re-industrialization Perspectives with Wenchi Yu YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkK1a7U8kP0TgXhvI5Bj70H4cPPlapCdQ&si=RuA_jZROR2ynRbxH Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kXiEF08IjtT3j1DyEnBbG?si=68ab3ea172594620 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspectives-with-wenchi-yu/id1793854395

  4. Aug 21

    Ep. 45 Australia’s China Balancing Act: Higher Education, Risk, and Resilience

    Host Wenchi Yu speaks with Philipp Ivanov, Chief Global Resilience Officer at Melbourne-based RMIT University and a former Australian diplomat, about Australia’s relationship with China and the future of international higher education between the two countries. As the U.S. government scrutinizes elite universities and their ties to China, Australian institutions face similar challenges. Chinese students remain Australia’s largest international-student cohort, and China is a major research partner. How can universities remain globally open while protecting research, data, intellectual property, staff, and students? How should they distinguish between acceptable risk and unacceptable exposure? And what does resilience look like for a university operating amid intensifying geopolitical competition? 00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest background 01:29 Guest's career overview and focus on education and international relations 03:18 Australia-China relationship: importance and recent developments 05:56 Shift in Chinese foreign policy and its impact on Australia 07:18 Strength of academic and research ties with China 09:36 Post-COVID trends in Chinese students in Australia 12:33 RMIT University and its international engagement 14:08 Risks and resilience strategies for international universities 16:05 Building resilience and managing risks in international partnerships 18:28 Policies and tools for risk management in higher education 22:31 Benefits of international engagement and maintaining open borders 24:28 Future outlook for Australia-China relations and university collaborations 29:56 Goals for a healthy and sustainable international relationship Perspectives with Wenchi Yu YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkK1a7U8kP0TgXhvI5Bj70H4cPPlapCdQ&si=RuA_jZROR2ynRbxH Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kXiEF08IjtT3j1DyEnBbG?si=68ab3ea172594620 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspectives-with-wenchi-yu/id1793854395

  5. Jul 31

    Ep. 44 Rui Ma on WAIC, Kimi K3, Chip Clusters, and China’s AI Future

    Host Wenchi Yu sits down with Rui Ma of Tech Buzz China to unpack China’s AI shift over the past year, from Moonshot AI’s Kimi K3 launch at the World AI Conference (WAIC) to new U.S. scrutiny of Chinese models. She argues that the “distillation” allegations don’t fit the timelines, and that China’s real edge is not shortcuts but full‑stack competitiveness—especially Huawei‑led chip clusters that knit together thousands of weaker chips for compute, power, models, and applications. She maps a diverse ecosystem—frontier models like DeepSeek, GLM, and Kimi; edge AI in cars and phones; and early embodied AI—and contrasts China’s push to position itself as a global AI alternative to the U.S., actively exporting its AI stack while largely rejecting Silicon Valley’s AGI‑centric, existential‑risk framing of AI development. Read more from Tech Buzz China: China's AI Industrial Strategy 00:00 Introduction to US-China AI Competition 01:29 Rey Ma on China's AI Progress and Kimi K3 04:24 Xi Jinping's Major Speech at World AI Conference (WAIC) 06:27 China's Hardware Clusters and AI Infrastructure 09:26 US and China Policy Divergence on AI 11:26 China's Support for Open Source AI 13:22 China's Vision of AI and Civilizational Tolerance 15:11 Global Implications of US-China AI Strategies 17:17 Future Outlook for Chinese and US AI Development 20:21 China's Role as a Global AI Standard Setter 24:10 Conclusion and Key Takeaways Perspectives with Wenchi Yu YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkK1a7U8kP0TgXhvI5Bj70H4cPPlapCdQ&si=RuA_jZROR2ynRbxH Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kXiEF08IjtT3j1DyEnBbG?si=68ab3ea172594620 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspectives-with-wenchi-yu/id1793854395

  6. Jul 20

    Ep. 43 From Navy Intelligence to Defense Tech: Ellen Chang on Investing in Autonomy, Drones, and Taiwan’s Security

    Host Wenchi Yu speaks with Ellen Chang, a former U.S. Navy intelligence officer turned defense-tech and impact investor, about how her “happenstance” career led from Taiwan to the Pentagon, Northrop Grumman, and the cutting edge of autonomous systems. Drawing on tours at sea, years in the reserves, and work on platforms like Global Hawk and Triton, Ellen explains how military needs and commercial innovation in drones and autonomy have converged. She shares why dual-use technology and new forms of public–private partnership are critical for Taiwan’s defense, and how Taiwan can leverage its talent, geography, and industrial base in the era of AI-enabled warfare. The conversation offers a rare, practical look at what it takes to build and fund defense technology that actually works in the real world. 00:00 Introduction to Ellen Chang and her background 00:33 Ellen's journey from Taipei to the US Navy 02:00 Her experience with autonomous systems and drones 04:16 Transition from defense contractor to investor 07:53 Growth of defense tech startups and industry shifts 12:28 Taiwan's emerging defense industry and US collaborations 15:54 MOUs, investments, and supply chain in Taiwan 21:43 US-Taiwan relations and defense tech strategy 27:30 Impact investing and regional security in Asia 32:42 Future outlook for defense innovation and geopolitics Perspectives with Wenchi Yu YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkK1a7U8kP0TgXhvI5Bj70H4cPPlapCdQ&si=RuA_jZROR2ynRbxH Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kXiEF08IjtT3j1DyEnBbG?si=68ab3ea172594620 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspectives-with-wenchi-yu/id1793854395

  7. Jul 6

    Ep. 42 The Second Half of 2026: War, AI, and the New World Order

    As America’s 250th birthday coincides with a turbulent second half of 2026, host Wenchi Yu examines the implications of the U.S.–Israel war in Iran for the global economy, a fraught Trump–Xi meeting over Taiwan, and AI’s rise as a new strategic resource. She explains how these forces accelerate shifts in global power, fuel AI backlash, and test America’s ability to look inward while still leading on the global stage. Perspectives with Wenchi Yu YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkK1a7U8kP0TgXhvI5Bj70H4cPPlapCdQ&si=RuA_jZROR2ynRbxH Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kXiEF08IjtT3j1DyEnBbG?si=68ab3ea172594620 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspectives-with-wenchi-yu/id1793854395

  8. Jun 26

    Ep. 41 TikTok Never Dies: Filmmaker Hao Wu on What the TikTok Fight Reveals About America

    Host Wenchi Yu speaks with filmmaker Hao Wu about his latest documentary, TikTok Never Dies, which recently premiered at the Tribeca Festival. Hao chronicles the legal fight between TikTok and the U.S. government — a case many expected the Supreme Court to decide on national security grounds. What he ended up capturing was a story about three American content creators caught in the middle, a presidential election TikTok helped shape, a sudden shutdown and save, and a debate that reveals as much about America's anxieties as it does about China.  For more about TikTok Never Dies: www.tiktokneverdies.com 00:00 Introduction to Hao Wu and his filmmaking journey 02:58 The origin of 'TikTok Never Dies' and Wu's fascination with TikTok 04:49 The US legislation targeting TikTok and the lawsuit 06:42 The focus on content creators and personal stakes in the lawsuit 08:53 Public perception of TikTok and the national security debate 10:55 The American story versus the China story in Wu's film 12:54 The evidence and public trust in US government claims 14:55 The influence of Trump and the 2024 election on TikTok policies 16:36 Balancing risks and impacts of banning TikTok 18:36 The future of US-China relations and social media influence 20:35 Wu's previous films and their thematic connections 22:57 The role of AI in entertainment and filmmaking 24:40 The business model of documentary filmmaking and AI's impact 26:52 The rise of Chinese short-form dramas and their global influence 28:46 The broader implications for US-China relations and technology 30:43 Current screening and access to 'TikTok Never Dies' Perspectives with Wenchi Yu YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkK1a7U8kP0TgXhvI5Bj70H4cPPlapCdQ&si=RuA_jZROR2ynRbxH Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kXiEF08IjtT3j1DyEnBbG?si=68ab3ea172594620 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspectives-with-wenchi-yu/id1793854395

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About

Perspectives with Wenchi Yu presents on-the-ground views from Asia about Trump 2.0's policies and politics and their implications for China, Taiwan, Asia, and beyond. Wenchi Yu interviews business and political leaders with deep experience working on and living in the Asia Pacific region.

Information

  • Creator
    Wenchi Yu
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Perspectives with Wenchi Yu
  • Show Website
    Perspectives with Wenchi Yu

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