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RBC Thought Leadership AI, Technology and Innovation David, Goliath, and Drones: The New Map of Geo-Technology
AI, Technology and Innovation
AI, Technology and Innovation

David, Goliath, and Drones: The New Map of Geo-Technology

In the latest episode of Disruptors, Noah Smith explains how geo-technology, supply chains, and allied scale are reshaping global competition and Canada’s economic opportunities.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Simplecast

For years, the mandate of Disruptors was simple: explore how technology is changing everything. But in 2026, a deeper dynamic is taking center stage—how geo-technology (the merger of scale, power, and innovation) is redrawing the global economic map.

In this episode, host John Stackhouse is joined by economist, writer, and Noahpinion creator Noah Smith for a candid look at global competition. Smith breaks down why modern power is no longer defined strictly by large military platforms, but by control over the physical supply chains that fuel modern technology—specifically the “Electric Tech Stack” of lithium-ion batteries, rare earth permanent magnets, and power electronics.

The conversation explores why Western industrial policy must shift from traditional growth toward strategic preservation, how AI is complementing human labor rather than eliminating it, and why middle powers like Canada, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and India must collaborate to achieve “allied scale.”

For Canadian business leaders and policymakers, this episode offers a clear diagnostic on how external pressures can serve as a catalyst for national cohesion, industrial capacity, and global trade partnerships.

FAQs

Noah Smith is an economist, former Bloomberg Opinion columnist, finance professor, and the creator of Noahpinion, one of the world’s most widely read economics and technology newsletters.

As defined by host John Stackhouse, geo-technology is the merger of scale, power, and technological innovation with the strategic intent to create dominance, shaping a new global race among nation-states and tech giants.

Coined by Noah Smith, the Electric Tech Stack refers to three foundational hardware components underlying modern physical technologies: lithium-ion batteries, rare earth permanent magnet motors, and power electronics. These inputs power everything from commercial smartphones and electric vehicles to military drones and robotics.

Allied scale refers to strategic cooperation among non-hegemonic middle powers—including Canada, European nations, Japan, South Korea, and India. By coordinating trade, defense procurement, and regulations, these nations can aggregate enough industrial and supply chain scale to maintain technological independence.

You can stream all episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or read transcripts and research reports directly on rbc.com/thoughtleadership

Disruptors, an RBC podcast is created by the RBC Thought Leadership Group and does not constitute a recommendation for any organization, product or service. It’s produced and recorded by RBC Thought Leadership. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. For cautionary statements relating to the information in this podcast, refer to the Legal Disclaimers on RBC.com/disruptors. For more disruptors content, like or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and visit our webpage.

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