US AI strategy to outpace China in global race
The United States and China are intensely competing for domination in the development of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly of artificial general intelligence (AGI)—or, in other words, smarter-than-human artificial intelligence. Despite regulatory challenges, among others, China continues to steadily progress, leaving the United States scrambling in their attempt to keep up, often relying on inadequate attempts to restrict supply chains.
In addition to tariff wars, battles for access to materials, and other measures, what else is at risk? Experts worry AI safety is being sacrificed in the confrontation between the nations.
Click through this gallery to find out more.
Race for AGI
The United States and China have pitted themselves against each other in the race for smarter-than-human artificial intelligence, commonly referred to as artificial general intelligence (AGI).
Sam Altman
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, thinks AGI is closer than we think, predicting it will be active by 2025. Other technology firms deem Altman’s claim as overly ambitious, with some expressing a timeline closer to 2035.
Guardrails needed
Tegmark, along with other tech leaders, such as Elon Musk, penned a letter in 2023 calling on AI initiatives to stop the development of advanced AI systems temporarily until guardrails can be put in place to hone in on its capacities.
AI safety summit
As domestic regulations remain scarce regarding AI development, international frameworks are equally behind, but there are efforts to streamline this process. In 2023, the United Kingdom hosted an AI safety summit to try to progress the development of guardrails.
No understanding
These tech leaders are concerned that the rising tensions between the United States and China are causing fast-paced advancements that focus on building AGI, but without an understanding on how to control it.
Censorship
This is evident in China’s approach to censorship. For example, the internet in China is under heavy ideological censorship. Platforms like ChatGPT are unable to answer questions related to topics considered ‘sensitive,’ such as politics.
Firms developing own models
Some of China’s biggest firms, for example, Tencent, Huawei, and Alibaba, have developed their own AI models, which are in constant processes of development and advancement.
Techno-regulatory apparatus
Their approach to AI is likely similar to their approach to their initiatives in developing AGI. Trivium China, a consultancy, argues that China will seek to “dominate AGI while creating a techno-regulatory apparatus that limits” its capacities among citizens.
China producing own hardware
An example of such is America’s attempt to limit China’s access to semiconductors, an important hardware necessary to advance AI models. To this, China responded by beginning to produce their own.
Supply chain
There are 17 elements needed to make the world’s tech products. Gaining access to these materials and dominating the supply chain is also another key area in which the US and China continue to compete, which echoes in the tech race.
Nationalizing refineries
Between low labor costs, questionable environmental standards, and access to rare earth minerals, China has dominated supply. Recently, China has been nationalizing refineries, even those foreign-owned, sparking concerns of their impending monopolization.
Tariff fight
In the midst of the tariff fight between the United States and China, measures to further restrict raw materials are the main form of leverage that the communist state can use.
Tech Cold War
Some analysts refer to this attempt of the nations to outmaneuver each other as the "tech Cold War,” a reference that continues to emerge among rising tensions.
Donald Trump
In a June 2024 interview, Trump said: "We have to be at the forefront [of AI]… We have to take the lead over China, China is the primary threat."
At what cost?
The Trump administration is sure to make a splash in the advancement of AI tools and technology, pushing towards the speedy development of AGI technology to try to overtake China’s position. But at what cost?
