Government Is Running Outdated Software. Can AI Fix It? | Shu Yang

What if the biggest problem with politics isn't the politicians, but the system that keeps producing them? I sat down with Shu Yang, the software developer behind Elections Simplified, to discuss how AI can help voters look past campaign ads, understand complicated ballot measures, inspect politicians' actual records, and follow campaign money. We also discuss why we constantly update our phones but rarely reconsider the rules governing our institutions, whether technology can make governments more transparent, and how Bitcoin might change the incentives for cooperation. We also explore what happens when powerful AI models run locally and how self-driving cars might change the world around us. **Links:** My X: https://x.com/ConorChepenik My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conorchepenik/ Shu's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shupresents/ Elections Simplified: https://electionssimplified.com/ **Chapters:** 00:00 Introduction: Meet Shu Yang 00:40 Why Shu Built Elections Simplified 02:09 Judge Politicians by Actions, Not Campaign Ads 03:53 Verifying Records and Fighting Misinformation 05:20 Making Ballot Measures Understandable 07:32 Follow the Money: Campaign Finance and Super PACs 10:39 How AI Handles Nearly 500,000 Records 13:31 Funding, Privacy, and the Mission 15:26 Can AI Improve Government Accountability? 18:28 Why Your Local Vote Might Matter More Than You Think 20:28 Lobbying, Incentives, and Political Power 22:49 Trust in Institutions and the Future of Government 25:17 Why Government Is Like Outdated Software 29:39 Change the Rules, Change the Outcome 30:20 Bitcoin, Fiat Money, and Better Incentives 34:25 AI as a Creative Tool: Music and Building 35:45 AI Fear, Media Narratives, and Independent Thinking 39:28 Energy, Data Centers, and Human Flourishing 40:53 AI Safety and the Case for Local Models 44:28 Open vs. Closed AI: Autonomy and Hardware Limits 47:09 AI, Liberty, and Real-World Risks 48:16 Self-Driving Cars and the Future of Transportation 50:34 Robotaxis and the Second-Order Effects of AI 52:46 Where to Find Elections Simplified 54:01 Musical Outro: Democracy.exe Needs an Update This conversation includes personal perspectives and does not endorse candidates or parties. Verify voting information with your official state or local election office.