Stephen Schwarzman: Going Big in Business, Investing, and AI | Lex Fridman Podcast #96

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

May 15, 2020

Duration

1h 10m

Channel

Lex Fridman Podcast

Watch on YouTube

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📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Stephen Schwarzman is the CEO and Co-Founder of Blackstone, one of the world's leading investment firms with over 530 billion dollars of assets under management. He is one of the most successful business leaders in history. Support this podcast by signing up with these sponsors:

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EPISODE LINKS: What It Takes (book): https://amzn.to/2WX9cZu PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ Full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4 Clips playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOeciFP3CBCIEElOJeitOr41 OUTLINE: 0:00 - Introduction 4:17 - Going big in business 7:34 - How to recognize an opportunity 16:00 - Solving problems that people have 25:26 - Philanthropy 32:51 - Hope for the new College of Computing at MIT 37:32 - Unintended consequences of technological innovation 42:24 - Education systems in China and United States 50:22 - American AI Initiative 59:53 - Starting a business is a rough ride 1:04:26 - Love and family CONNECT:

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🎤 SPEAKERS

• Lex Fridman

  host

• Stephen Schwarzman

  guest

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Lex Fridman Podcast, featuring Lex Fridman and Stephen Schwarzman, Stephen Schwarzman: Going Big in Business, Investing, and AI | Lex Fridman Podcast #96 explores stephen Schwarzman on Going Big, Pattern Recognition, and AI’s Future Stephen Schwarzman discusses his philosophy of ‘going big’ in business and life, arguing that large, consequential opportunities create a virtuous cycle of talent, resources, and impact. He explains how pattern recognition, intense listening, and solving other people’s biggest problems underpin his investing, negotiation, and leadership style. The conversation explores his approach to philanthropy, especially his role in launching MIT’s College of Computing, and his concerns about AI ethics, U.S.–China technological competition, and the social consequences of the internet. He also offers candid advice on entrepreneurship, humility, relationships, and sustaining personal values and family life while pursuing ambitious goals.

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