The Talent Factor in the AI 'Race': China vs. the US

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China is focusing on producing a large number of engineers and researchers in AI, which could potentially impact the talent pool in the long run. However, challenges lie in retaining and tapping into this talent pool. The US faces a similar challenge due to stringent immigration laws. While competition between China and the US is often emphasized, many Chinese researchers are motivated by improving education and healthcare rather than nationalism or geopolitical competition. The perception of competition varies between the US and China, with the US leading the narrative. In the realm of frontier AI research, the competition is primarily between China and the US, with a limited number of leading AI researchers in other countries. The analysis of China's progress in AI should consider perspectives from individuals on the ground and those well-versed in Chinese investigative reports to avoid overestimating China's potential to surpass the US as an AI superpower.

In the debate over slowing down AI, we often hear the same argument against regulation. “What about China? We can’t let China get ahead.” To dig into the nuances of this argument, Tristan and Aza speak with academic researcher Jeffrey Ding and journalist Karen Hao, who take us through what’s really happening in Chinese AI development. They address China’s advantages and limitations, what risks are overblown, and what, in this multi-national competition, is at stake as we imagine the best possible future for everyone.

CORRECTION: Jeffrey Ding says the export controls on advanced chips that were established in October 2022 only apply to military end-users. The controls also impose a license requirement on the export of those advanced chips to any China-based end-user.

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