A report from the US congressional commission has urged the government to implement an artificial intelligence (AI) initiative on the scale of the Manhattan Project.
This recommendation comes as the nation faces competition with China in technological innovation.
The report, published by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) in November, outlined the necessity for a government-led program to accelerate the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI). This AI, defined as systems capable of performing tasks at or beyond human-level intelligence, could surpass human expertise across all domains.
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The Manhattan Project was a joint effort during World War II that brought together public and private resources to create the first nuclear weapons. The USCC emphasized that a similar public-private collaboration is essential for achieving AGI leadership.
Key proposals include granting the highest national security designation to AI projects. The commission also recommended long-term contracting powers for the executive branch, alongside funding for AI, cloud computing, and data infrastructure companies.
The report highlighted China's efforts in emerging technologies, including AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, and advanced energy storage. Despite current US advantages in critical areas like advanced chips, computational capacity, and expansive datasets, China's ability to adapt has allowed it to maintain steady progress.
The report warned that if China successfully overcame existing barriers, its technological growth could have far-reaching consequences. Such advancements could undermine the United States’ economic and military strength, destabilize security in the Pacific, and potentially shift the global power balance.
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