Categories: Politics

Senators unveil bipartisan push to spend billions on AI research, warn China is ‘in a hurry’

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators joined in a call to boost American funding of artificial intelligence research Wednesday.

The group, led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., argues the U.S. is at risk of being left behind on AI if government funding does not increase. Joining Schumer from the other side of the aisle were senators Mike Rounds, R-S.D., and Todd Young, R-Ind.

“This is a time in which the dollars related to this particular investment will pay dividends to the taxpayers of this country long term,” Rounds said in a statement. “China now spends probably about 10 times more than we do on AI development. They are in a hurry.”

The group’s plans center on generative AI, which can create text, photos and videos in response to open-ended prompts. The technology has created widespread excitement and also concern because it could render vast number of jobs obsolete.

STATE DEPARTMENT WANTS CHINA, RUSSIA TO DECLARE THAT AI WON’T CONTROL NUCLEAR WEAPONS, ONLY HUMANS

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators joined in a call to boost American funding for artificial intelligence research Wednesday. (Getty Images)

The group is calling for the U.S. to spend at least $32 billion on non-defense-related AI research annually.

Schumer noted Congress is also planning to spend “a very large number” on defense-related AI issues, arguing it is critical to “outcompete China.”

The majority leader added that there does not need to be an overarching AI bill that includes every issue. Rather, individual committees can work on AI issues and present related legislation as they become ready, he said.

DEMOCRAT SENATOR LEADS BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO STRENGTHEN TAIWAN SUPPLY CHAIN DURING CHINA THREAT

“We’re not going to wait on legislation that addresses every aspect of AI in society,” he said.

Schumer said there does not need to be an overarching AI bill that includes every issue. Rather, individual committees can work on AI issues and present related legislation as they become ready. (REUTERS/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/File Photo)

Later on Wednesday, the Senate Rules Committee is scheduled to take up debate on how AI could impact or threaten the U.S. election system.

OVER 40% OF AMERICANS SEE CHINA AS AN ENEMY, PEW REPORT SHOWS

The news came as top U.S. and Chinese authorities met for their first AI talks in Geneva Tuesday.

The talks, which presidents Biden and Xi Jinping agreed to launch in 2023, are meant to open bilateral dialogue between the world’s two biggest economies — and increasingly, geopolitical rivals — on a fast-moving technology that already has consequences for trade, lifestyles, culture, politics, national security, defense and much more.

The U.S. and China began their first round of AI talks in Geneva this week. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

U.S. technology experts say the meeting — led on the American side by high-level White House and State Department officials — could offer a glimpse into Beijing’s thinking about AI amid a generally tight-lipped Chinese approach to the technology.

Reuters contributed to this report

Share

Recent Posts

Washington girl, 4, ‘dragged’ by coyote just inches from door amid string of alarming encounters: report

close Video Coyote caught chilling out in front yard in rare security camera footage A…

2 hours ago

Missing Connecticut girl found alive 25 years after kidnapping with help from DNA testing

close Video New Haven police find missing girl in Mexico after she was abducted in…

2 hours ago

US military shoots down Houthi drones as Trump’s strikes against terrorist group continue

close Video Houthi drones shot down by U.S. forces, senior official says Fox News correspondent…

4 hours ago

Report: Jewish Tesla owner ‘speechless’ after Jewish Musk-hater finger-traces swastika on his Cybertruck

close Video Environmental Progress founder rips Tesla vandals: 'Democrats are really lost' Michael Shellenberger, founder…

4 hours ago

Man set on fire in heart of New York City’s Times Square, suspect at large: report

close Video NYPD searching for suspect who lit man on fire in Times Square A…

4 hours ago

Trump thanks El Salvador for taking in alleged gang members deported from US: ‘We will not forget’

President Donald Trump thanked El Salvador on Sunday after the country's president shared dramatic video…

4 hours ago