A Conversation With Ian Bremmer

By Crain’s Content Studio

• Bremmer says the U.S. is the “principal driver” of geopolitical uncertainty in the world 
• “NATO isn’t going away” and European countries will continue to support Ukraine 
• AI risks aren’t being managed, leading to a “technology decoupling” between the U.S. and China 

When asked by journalist and author Devin Scillian, “What’s the thing that keeps you up at night?” president and founder of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media Ian Bremmer responded his biggest concern is that “the principal driver of geopolitical uncertainty in the world today is us.

According to Bremmer, the United States is “no longer committed” to collective security, rule of law, free trade, and the promotion of democracy internationally. “The most powerful country, the strongest economy… it’s driving uncertainty that’s truly unprecedented in your life,” he said. 

Bremmer is concerned that between ongoing tariff wars and shifting alliances, Michigan may be hurt by the current geopolitical climate. Canada aligning more closely with “The G6,” in his opinion, can affect the local economy as a key trading and intelligence neighbor to the north. 

“We have a different relationship with Canada than most other U.S. states,” Bremmer said. “I think people underestimate just how angry the Canadians are and how much this has changed their orientation toward the U.S.” 

While discussing global unrest, Bremmer admits he’s “struggled” with how the Russia-Ukraine war narrative has been “reshaped and reimagined” to make war crimes more acceptable. 

Amid stalled and failed peace talks between the two countries, Bremmer claims the Trump administration has also started to shift its views on the devastating war between Russia and Ukraine. 

Bremmer believes Trump was confident Putin would accept the ceasefire deal proposed earlier this year, but quickly realized he was wrong. “He’s been more publicly willing to express the level of frustration with Putin,” he said (Trump spoke out against the Kremlin earlier this week). 

Still, Bremmer said, “NATO isn’t going away” and “Europeans will continue to provide significant support for Ukraine.” Yet Europeans may face the roadblock of “spending far more on defense at a time when there are huge fiscal constraints and most [countries] are massively indebted.”

Bremmer, who’s written about the fusion of tech power and state power, shared his views on how the U.S. and China are sprinting to the finish line to become the global leader in AI. 

“I believe we’re seeing the beginnings of a technology decoupling between the U.S. and China,” he said. “The U.S. and China are racing as fast as humanly possible” to come out on top. 

Yet Bremmer says there are “very real fears” that AI can “wipe out” humanity, especially when global leaders won’t slow down. Still, its many benefits, such as creating efficiency and reducing waste, can make AI a game-changer if approached safely, correctly, and conservatively. 

However, it’s critical to manage the risks, Bremmer concluded. “How do we hamstring our technology?” he asked. “What’s necessary is a level of transparency, honesty around risk assessment, and engagement between top actors who don’t have a lot of trust for each other.” 

Sponsored by Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, this 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference session was crafted in partnership with Crain’s Content Studio.