Ep 40 - China's AI+ Initiative – why the AI race is not the Manhattan Project

Chinese policymakers are looking to diffuse AI into key industrial, commercial, and governance fields as deeply and quickly as possible.

The overarching framework for their approach is captured in the AI+ plus initiative.

• Officials published the overarching policy architecture for AI+ in late August.
• And more granular AI+X plans (e.g. AI+Energy, AI+Transportation) are now starting to roll out.

In this week’s podcast, host Andrew Polk is joined by colleagues Kendra Schaefer (head of tech policy research) and Cory Combs (head of critical mineral and supply chain research) to explain China’s AI+ approach.

They delve into:

• The overarching AI+ framework – and how it differs from previous AI policies in China
• The six key fields that China is targeting for AI diffusion
• What to expect as the AI+ policy ecosystem takes shape in the months ahead
• China’s AI+Energy plan – what it seeks to achieve and why it is so fundamental to the wider AI+ vision
• How officials will approach more foundational aspects of AI+ – including foundational models, compute, data supply, developer ecosystems, and talent

The gang then wrap up the discussion by zeroing in on why the AI race is different from previous global competitions to produce technological breakthroughs.

• The key point: Achieving AI breakthroughs will look more like past pushes into electrification and the internet – as opposed to the nuclear weapon or space races.

You’ll definitely want to stick around till the end for this one – enjoy!