There is no Western AI plan

Tim Wu, writing in the New York Times:

But if there is even a slim chance that the race to build stronger A.I. will determine the future of the world — and that does appear to be at least a possibility — the United States and the rest of the West are taking a surprisingly lackadaisical and alarmingly risky approach to the technology.

The plan seems to be for the American tech industry, which makes most of its money in advertising and selling personal gadgets, to serve as champions of the West. . . .

To exaggerate slightly: If this were 1957, we might as well be hoping that the commercial airlines would take us to the moon.

America’s Risky Approach to Artificial Intelligence

Planning requires paying attention. We’re a little distracted in the West these days. And Russia and China love that.