America, China, And Russia Are In A New Arms Race Involving AI

During the Cold War, the US and the Soviet Union were in an arms race developing nuclear weapons that would one day frighten every living person that there would be a nuclear holocaust at any day. That time has long past and it seems today’s major powers are having another arms race. This time, it involves developing artificial intelligence, which could determine who will become the masters of the world.

In a recent speech to students, Russian President Vladimir Putin echoed the sentiments of top tech industry figures about the dangers and potential power of AIs. He is not the only leader that has recognized the implications of wielding such a powerful tool as well. Other countries are investing heavily into AI research, with China displaying the most outward enthusiasm.

Based on the developments so far, it would seem that there is a clear race to the top among the world’s superpowers to develop advanced machine learning technology, WIRED recently reported. Now, instead of developing deadly weapons that can kill people more efficiently, it’s about creating a super intelligent machine that can enable the country holding it to control the world.

In direct contrast to what figures like Tesla CEO Elon Musk or renowned physicist Stephen Hawking have been advising the tech industry to do, it would seem that entire governments are now riding a runaway train with regards to AI development. In the US, Russia, and China, the respective government and military branches are trying to get ahead of the others in the most unwise fashion possible.

China aims to be the frontrunner in the AI industry by 2030, Futurism reports, and there’s no doubt that Russia has the same goals. In the US, the private sector is displaying the most enthusiasm in developing AI, with the federal agencies seemingly lagging behind. If the world’s balance of power will be upset by the emergence of powerful AI, the US is in a bind.