Who leads the AI race?

As AI continues to develop, the question on world leaders’ lips is who is in the lead?

The US would like to think that with its unparalleled power, it is the leader. Indeed, on Monday, the White House issued an executive order that covered everything from funding new forms of technology to clamping down on potential abuses. Within this executive order that stands at 110 pages, US federal agencies will have greater powers to oversee how AI is rolled out in their specific areas-housing, consumer protection and national security. 

Washington also promises to use its power to nudge AI companies to improve transparency and data protection regimes. All whilst promoting the US itself as a key innovator in a technology likely to shape the next 20 years of world affairs. Something that officials hope will put down a moral marker for the US.

In Brussels however, there is a view that this is not a sign of the US assuming leadership. Indeed, officials in the EU capital are keen to promote their own Artificial Intelligence Act. The Act is touted as a way of easing privacy concerns, given it outlaws AI being used for things such as a social score for people. Furthermore, Brussels is keen to point out that the executive order does not update existing legislation. And with the current state of US lawmaking, such an update is unlikely to happen any time soon.

The UK is trying to adopt a different approach, focusing on the potential existential risks if artificial intelligence falls into the wrong hands. As part of this approach, the British government is hosting a two day summit to discuss safety concerns linked to bioweapons and online disinformation. The British government also wants to create a new network of researchers modelled on the UN’s Panel on Climate Change. This panel would publish an annual state of AI report. 

Rishi Sunak has also announced plans for an AI Safety Institute that would oversee how the likes of OpenAI and Google’s Deepmind developed their latest AI models. It is hoped that the US would join forces with the UK on this initiative, particularly as they share similar national security concerns.

In short, there is no actual clear answer as to who is in the lead. But as with anything, the US does seem to have an advantage simply due to its existing power. However, counting out the UK and the EU would be premature at this stage.