United States: A U.S. congressional commission suggested on Tuesday a Manhattan Project-like effort to support the creation of AI systems that match or even surpass human intelligence as competition with China on state-of-the-art technologies heats up.
Manhattan Project Approach to AI Development
While detailing its annual report, the bipartisan USCC noted that executive director’s report has underscored that partnership to is crucial in the development of AGI but it failed to provide certain operational investment, as reported by Reuters.
The Manhattan Project was a World War Two project of the United States’ government recruiting private companies for the purpose of building the first atomic bombs.
Global Power Shifts at Stake
“We’ve seen throughout history that countries that are first to exploit periods of rapid technological change can often cause shifts in the global balance of power,” Jacob Helberg, a USCC commissioner and senior advisor to Palantir’s CEO, told Reuters.
“China is racing towards AGI … It’s critical that we take them extremely seriously,” Helberg added.
As it is known, the energy distribution is a major hindrance to training large models of AI; therefore, Helberg mentioned that streamlining the permitting of data centers might heavily represent a public-private partnership that can help advance AI’s development.
The maker of ChatGPT, OpenAI, which came up with a plan for the US in artificial intelligence last week, has also urged the government to increase funding for artificial intelligence.
Broader Policy Recommendations to Counter China
The USCC was created by Congress in 2000 and offers annual suggestions about the relationship between the US and China. The commission’s policy stance has in the past been hugely provocative, seeking to advise legislators on matters concerning economic and geostrategic competition with China, as reported by Reuters.
Other recommendations contained in the current USCC report include the rescinding of the de minimis trade exception that allows imports valued at less than $800 duty-free, ending tax benefits on capital gains arising from transactions with Chinese firms connected to government watchlists, and requiring approval to Chinese investments in U.S. biotech firms.