Apple's Marshall Plan in China

You always get what you pay for

The Crossroads of Change

Throughout history, technological revolutions have reshaped society. From the Stone Age to the Industrial Age, and now the Internet and AI Ages, each leap forward has brought with it new opportunities—and new disruptions. In our book Catalyst, Bret Boyd and I explored how these shifts have always altered jobs, economies, and national priorities. But today, something’s different: the speed of change is faster than ever before.

We’re living in a time when the pace of technological change leaves little room and time to adapt. Workers, companies, governments, and institutions alike are struggling to keep up. In that uncertainty, people become more vulnerable—to disruption, yes, but also to those who seek to divide us.

Let me give you three lenses to think about today:

1. The China Effect: Decades of Investment, Now a Strategic Risk

Barely 30 years ago, China was considered a low-end manufacturer– cheap goods, very poor quality but made in the millions (think about that black plastic spider ring you got at Halloween). Today, it’s a global tech powerhouse. That transformation didn’t happen overnight. I was almost shocked to learn in the book Apple in China, U.S. technology companies—and particularly Apple—poured billions into China’s manufacturing ecosystem, at a scale exceeding the Marshall Plan after WWII (adjusted for today’s dollars).

The effects of the Marshall Plan lasted 80 years with our investment in Europe and Japan and yet it was about 1/10th of the amount of money US companies poured into China the last 20 years or so. And while we might complain now, many (including myself) benefited from less expensive goods made abroad for a very long time.

In many ways, people considered that to be “soft power” since it allowed us to have influence over another country. But with China, it was very different. Their longterm view has allowed them to build a military arsenal at scale that we should be concerned about.

The unintended consequence? We now face serious vulnerabilities in our own supply chains and national defense capabilities. As Bret Boyd recently wrote in National Review, it’s time to reboot America’s Arsenal of Democracy—before it’s too late.

At the same time, recent policies have made it more difficult—or at least less appealing—for top global talent to study in the U.S. While national security concerns are real, we risk losing a competitive edge by discouraging the very people who help drive innovation. This article alludes to the claim that it’s really about ties to the Communist Party but it's really something larger than that.

2. The AI Tension: Fewer Jobs, Greater Productivity

While manufacturing may be coming back home, traditional tech and engineering roles are shrinking as a percentage of individual productivity. Why? Because one person with AI tools can now do the work of many.

Large Language Models and AI agents are streamlining workflows, automating tedious tasks, and making entry-level roles increasingly obsolete. That’s not to say there won’t be jobs—on the contrary, there will be new opportunities for self-driven people who use AI to build businesses or boost their individual productivity 10X or even 100X. It’s the “self-driven” part that worries me that I have written about before.

You will hear this a lot in future years: “Your job may not be taken by AI, but it might be taken by someone who is using AI.”

It is not lost on me the irony that when Saturday Night Live did a NewsNation skit on the AI movement and how it was going to impact jobs in the US, the interview was constantly interrupted by Beavis and Butthead in the audience. I could not imagine a better imagery of my point.

If you would prefer a more “sophisticated” example beyond Saturday Night Live, I recommend this 60 Minutes post on Robots sculpting marble in Italy.

3. The Real Focus: Jobs, Education, and Our Kids' Future

In all of this, one truth cuts through the noise: meaningful work, accessible education, and a better future for our kids must remain at the center. These are the foundations that can bring us together—especially when politics, media, and division seem to dominate the headlines.

In case you missed it back in May, I’m especially honored to share some personal news that this year, I’m being recognized as a Future Veteran Business Legend by the Texas Business Hall of Fame. This award is a reflection of the time and patience that so many coaches, teachers and mentors put into shaping my world view. It’s about helping people find meaningful work, starting companies, and create futures that weren’t possible just a few years ago. At the end of the day, “People Will Be What They Can See,” and I hope to help folks realize their true potential.

---

How Are You Navigating the Crossroads?

Are you already experimenting with AI tools? Have you seen automation reshape your workplace or your industry? I’d love to hear from you. Reply and tell me:

• What AI tools are you using?

• How have they improved your productivity or helped you think differently?

• What are you most excited—or worried—about?

As we all try to navigate this fast-changing world, I hope we can share tools, stories, and solutions. Let’s learn from one another—and move forward, together.

If you’re still reading, I thought I would share the milestone of one of my favorite podcasts, Econ Talk: Conversations for the Curious, reaching its 1000th weekly episode. As Gemini would say, “a podcast that explores economics and its connection to human nature and society through conversations with experts from various fields, all approached from a perspective that emphasizes the power of markets and decentralized knowledge.”

Take care,
Joseph

Joseph Kopser

Co-Founder of USTomorrow