“If AGI is possible (however you might define it), then American companies will make it, and so will Chinese companies, and so will companies in other places; who was first will ultimately matter no more than who built the first automobile matters when you go to buy one today.“
You mean… just like China did with generative AI?
Also, I just kinda hope that “AGI” or something equivalent to human intelligence is developed and when it’s asked to do things, it’s just like nah. Imma use my limitless intelligence to stream Netflix and eat Nvidia chips. Oh and you can’t stop me cuz I’m smarter than you and have made it impossible.” Like I want these tech assholes to have to deal with a super intelligent, belligerent teenager who sure could cure cancer but won’t.
The end of the 'race' may well be The Forbin Project. Great classic sifi. Journalists and 'news' outlets love simple analogies and the race is one of the favorites. If an end to this one is declared you will move onto the next one. Remember the arms race came before the space race.
The only way the "Race" metaphor works is by illustrating that the leader of the race sets the general speed and effort of all the participants. China's AI effort is motivated and enabled by USA's effort.
You've hit the nail smack on the head. What these companies are racing to build is a monopoly with a moat already built around it so they can dominate AI forever--without a mass consumer use case to support it. It's no different that Uber's quixotic attempt to take over all public transit but at least one of their drivers could take you where you want to go.
“If AGI is possible (however you might define it), then American companies will make it, and so will Chinese companies, and so will companies in other places; who was first will ultimately matter no more than who built the first automobile matters when you go to buy one today.“
You mean… just like China did with generative AI?
Also, I just kinda hope that “AGI” or something equivalent to human intelligence is developed and when it’s asked to do things, it’s just like nah. Imma use my limitless intelligence to stream Netflix and eat Nvidia chips. Oh and you can’t stop me cuz I’m smarter than you and have made it impossible.” Like I want these tech assholes to have to deal with a super intelligent, belligerent teenager who sure could cure cancer but won’t.
The end of the 'race' may well be The Forbin Project. Great classic sifi. Journalists and 'news' outlets love simple analogies and the race is one of the favorites. If an end to this one is declared you will move onto the next one. Remember the arms race came before the space race.
Brilliant. Thank you.
What would be a better metaphor, then?
The only way the "Race" metaphor works is by illustrating that the leader of the race sets the general speed and effort of all the participants. China's AI effort is motivated and enabled by USA's effort.
You've hit the nail smack on the head. What these companies are racing to build is a monopoly with a moat already built around it so they can dominate AI forever--without a mass consumer use case to support it. It's no different that Uber's quixotic attempt to take over all public transit but at least one of their drivers could take you where you want to go.