Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Paul Scharre

Artificial Intelligence can become a significant source of power in the world. The United States has a significant lead in AI research. However, many of the researchers are Chinese, and China is putting significant effort in implementing its own AI research. The inputs for electronic work are spread. The United States has a lead in chip design and tools. Taiwan dominates fabrication. China dominates final assembly of electronic products. The United States has tried to limit availability of technology to Chinese companies with close ties to the military. This has led to challenges with China production, but has also encouraged China to further ramp up native production.

Artificial Intelligence is different than human intelligence. Computers are able to beat humans in most games with well known rules. However, they are still slow to adapt when the rules change. Computers can do things that humans would not train doing due to danger (such as head-on airplane dog-fights.) This requires special care when humans are involved. A computer may be able to sustain high speed activity that would knock out a human. If it is a drown, that would not be an issue.  If it is assisting a human, then it well.

There is a race to do AI research. We don't fully understand the impacts. There is significant danger of the unknown. There is also danger of "bad guys" using AI for their means. Threat actors will continue to advance and be able to work around security measures. It is a challenging environment. Perhaps the only "fix" would be to run out of energy.