China's AI Upstarts: How Z.ai Builds, Benchmarks & Ships in Hours, from ChinaTalk

This special ChinaTalk cross-post features Zixuan Li of Z.ai (Zhipu AI), exploring the culture, incentives, and constraints shaping Chinese AI development. PSA for AI builders: Interested in alignment, governance, or AI safety? Learn more about the MATS Summer 2026 Fellowship and submit your name to be notified when applications open: https://matsprogram.org/s26-tcr. The discussion covers Z.ai's powerful GLM 4.6 model, their open weights strategy as a marketing tactic, and unique Chinese AI use cases like "role-play." Gain insights into the rapid pace of innovation, the talent market, and how Chinese companies view their position relative to global AI leaders.

Sponsors:

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Agents of Scale: Agents of Scale is a podcast from Zapier CEO Wade Foster, featuring conversations with C-suite leaders who are leading AI transformation. Subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts

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PRODUCED BY:

https://aipodcast.ing

CHAPTERS:

(00:00) Sponsor: Google AI Studio

(00:31) About the Episode

(03:44) Introducing Z.AI

(07:07) Drupu AI's Backstory

(09:38) Achieving Global Recognition (Part 1)

(12:53) Sponsors: Agents of Scale | Framer

(15:15) Achieving Global Recognition (Part 2)

(15:15) Z.AI's Internal Culture

(19:17) China's AI Talent Market

(24:39) Open vs. Closed Source (Part 1)

(24:46) Sponsors: Tasklet | Shopify

(27:54) Open vs. Closed Source (Part 2)

(35:16) Enterprise Sales in China

(40:38) AI for Role-Playing

(45:56) Optimism vs. Fear of AI

(51:36) Translating Internet Culture

(57:11) Navigating Compute Constraints

(01:03:59) Future Model Directions

(01:15:02) Release Velocity & Work Culture

(01:25:04) Outro