How the US could lose (and win!) against China in AI, with Jordan Schneider of ChinaTalk
Jan 12, 2024
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In this podcast, Tom and Nate are joined by Jordan Schneider of ChinaTalk. They discuss the impact of AI development in China on the US ecosystem, the competition between OpenAI and China, the influence of the free-spirited 60s on Silicon Valley tech development, and the importance of openness in AI development. They also explore the growth of the NURIPS conference, the role of courts in shaping laws, and offer book recommendations.
China's rapid AI development poses a challenge to the US and other countries in the field, emphasizing the need for better predictions and understanding of the implications.
The ongoing debate between open and closed source AI models raises questions about safety, risks, and the role of different countries and companies in shaping the future of AI.
Chinese and French language models are catching up with OpenAI's models, driven by factors like internet accessibility, compute resources, and substantial funding, highlighting the continuous improvements and competition in the field of large language models.
Deep dives
The development of artificial intelligence in China has been surprising in terms of its pace, quality, and influence on the ecosystem.
The speaker discusses the rapid pace of AI development in China and the impact it has had on the global ecosystem. China has emerged as a prominent player in open language modeling, challenging the US and other countries in the field. The speaker highlights the unpredictability of this development and the need for better predictions and understanding of the implications.
The debate between open and closed source AI models is intensifying.
The podcast explores the ongoing debate between open and closed source AI models. While there is a growing trend towards openness and the sharing of model weights, there are concerns about safety and the potential risks posed by open source models. The discussion also raises questions about the definition of openness and the role of different countries and companies in shaping the future of AI.
The rise of Chinese and French language models as competitors to OpenAI's models.
The podcast highlights the emergence of Chinese and French language models that are catching up with and closely competing with OpenAI's models in terms of state-of-the-art performance. The accessibility of the internet, availability of compute resources, and substantial funding in these countries are contributing factors to their advancements. The discussion underscores the continuous improvements and competition in the field of large language models.
Exploring the concept of openness in AI beyond model parameters.
The podcast delves into the concept of openness in AI, emphasizing that it goes beyond the release of model parameters. Openness is seen not only in the technical aspects of model access and architecture but also in the relationship between AI companies and users, as well as the political and societal openness necessary for responsible and responsive AI development. The discussion emphasizes the need for a multidimensional understanding of openness in the AI landscape.
The need for policymakers to actively engage with AI research and be aware of its implications.
The podcast stresses the importance of policymakers staying informed about the cutting-edge research in AI and being proactive in understanding its implications. It suggests that policymakers should not rely solely on narratives put forth by big tech companies, but instead develop their own understanding of the technologies and engage with experts in the field. The discussion also highlights the potential need for new laws and regulations to address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.
We're excited to bring you something special today! Our first cross over episode brings some fresh energy to the podcast. Tom and Nate are joined by Jordan Schneider of ChinaTalk (A popular Substack-based publication covering all things China https://www.chinatalk.media/). We cover lots of great ground here, from the economics of Hirschman to the competition from France. All good Patriots should listen to this episode, as we give a real assessment of where competition lies on the U.S.'s path to commercializing AI. Enjoy our best effort at a journal club!
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