Universal AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming both more sophisticated and more integrated into our lives, without realising we are moving fast into creating a new models for human exchange, commerce, engagement and opportunity fuelled by Algorithmic economy, Genomic Medicine & Personalised Healthcare, Digital Farming, Social Learning, Digital Governance and regulations, Invisible Banks, Driver-less Shared transport, Renewable energy etc. Since 2010, AI investment and outcome has grown at a compounded annual growth rate of almost 60%.
This brings a new challenge to our social and political order. Why would countries want to lead the AI revolution? AI is not just about improving society and developing strong economies. It can also be a powerful military weapon, give rise to new industries, and shift the global balance of power. As countries near its development, even small advances will confer significant advantages.
Advantage China ?
While not too long ago China was thought of as a manufacturing country, the country now intends to be a leader in AI front. According to the Times Higher Education, in the period between 2011 and 2015, China published over 41,000 papers on AI. That's almost twice as much as the US number.
The Chinese government stands strongly behind AI adoption. Last year, they announced their intention to become "a principal world center of artificial intelligence innovation" by 2030.
Then there are companies like Tencent, Alibaba and Baidu. From e-commerce to self-driving cars or search engines, AI will play a fundamental role in their success. Combined, they are worth around US$ 1 trillion.
Closely followed by ……..
US ranks as the top country with the most AI companies. With over 1000 companies and US$10 billion in venture capital, the US is likely to become an AI superpower. Then there's companies like IBM, Microsoft, Google, Facebook, and Amazon invest heavily in AI. America's pool of scientific knowledge combined with its business market power will allow it to stay on top.
Japan continues to pioneer AI, mainly with an ageing population and decreasing workforce, AI will play a vital role in the Japanese economy. With plenty of research into AI, a decreasing workforce and a high automation potential, Japan is likely to continue right at the top. Its long-standing willingness to invest in technology may also prove key.
And the UK is no stranger to AI. As for total published papers on AI, between 2011 to 2015, the number was 10,100 - slightly behind Japan. With great world class university like Cambridge and Oxford, and start-ups like Googles DeepMind (DeepMind beat Go's grandmasters last year), UK is poised to lead AI marketplace. DeepMind is a world leader in AI. It employs 250 researchers, from mathematicians to neuroscientists.
Germany, like Japan, is also experiencing a working population decline. Its strong industry capabilities, combined with powerful companies and good education make it a fertile ground for AI. Like China, also plans to become a leading hub for artificial intelligence. According to an FT article, Germany's Max Planck Society, two technical universities, and its leading exporting state are combining their artificial research intelligence together with companies like Porsche, Daimler, and Bosch. The Cyber Valley, as they call it, is the result of this, and it has even received support from Amazon, who plans to open a lab there.
The fundamental question for humanity ?
It's totally fair to suggest that, if our world going to succeed with AI, it cant be just one country or company. It is big deal… bigger then anything that humanity have ever dealt with. We need to start a world debate, both in the public and private sectors and establish a Universal AI development projects, systems, and services. Much like OpenAI, but goes beyond US boundaries and take a broad commitment to shared responsibility in order to ensure that AI is used well.
We need audacious Vision and mission to create a shared “Universal AI platform” of open-source, that could be shared for building applications but not just owned by one or few, that can benefit humanity as a whole with ethical philosophy embedded from the ground up, that no single country or organisation has more advantage then the others.
Can we still have a vibrant market economy without countries and organisation competing to have an AI edge ? ………………….
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Disclaimer: This article is entirely Priti Padhy’s (author) own view of the current technology trends and world view, and has no association with his current employer KPMG LLP.
There are many reference and extract from various technology magazine and company websites, those are hyperlinked directly within the article. Ref: Wired, The Verge, Google Blog, MSDN blog, Facebook site, Amazon product site etc, for reference purpose.