Challenges and Concerns in AI Development

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The challenge lies in the struggle of both the US and China to achieve self-sufficiency in chip manufacturing, creating a vulnerability as they heavily rely on a single company in Taiwan. There are concerns about the potential theft of advanced AI models by determined state actors. Despite the open-source nature of AI, the incentive for stealing technology remains questionable since the military adoption of new AI technologies is a systematic and cautious process. The ability to steal blueprints or technology does not necessarily equate to the capability to effectively utilize or replicate it. The tacit knowledge and experience required in AI development, especially in military applications, play a crucial role in surpassing mere technological theft. While espionage may provide insights, the actual implementation and mastery of cutting-edge technologies like stealth fighters require more than just stolen blueprints, as seen in the case of China's inability to match the US in building effective stealth fighters despite reported thefts.

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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