On Feb. 11, 2019, President Trump signed an executive order establishing the American AI Initiative. The goal: to position the U.S. as the world leader in artificial intelligence.
The initiative includes five major areas of action but lacks specific strategic steps, reports IEEE Spectrum’s Tech Talk blog. In fact, artificial intelligence experts believe it’s little more than a response to China’s declaration of becoming the world’s AI leader by 2030. For example, the American AI Initiative does not mention new funding, nor does it indicate where funds will come from. Additionally, it does not focus on ethical and responsible deployment. Furthermore, working scientists, academics, researchers, and ethicists have not been assembled to weigh in. Finally, the initiative makes no mention of how the U.S. will collaborate with other nations to truly advance the long-term future of AI.
Do you think the American AI Initiative can establish a legitimate shift in the nation’s technology and science policy, or is the White House simply reacting to China’s ambitions?