The U.S. government is looking into new ways to restrict China‘s access to advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including software similar to ChatGPT. This move aims to prevent the technology from being used for military purposes or cyber attacks.
According to Reuters, the U.S. Commerce Department is considering regulations that would stop the sale of certain AI models to countries like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. These models are not openly available and their designs are kept secret. They can process large amounts of data and are powerful enough to create or summarize information quickly.
So far, American companies such as Microsoft, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic have been able to sell these AI systems around the world without much oversight. However, the Biden administration wants to ensure these technologies do not fall into the wrong hands.
Reuters reported that the proposed changes would be based on how much computer power an AI model uses. If a model uses a lot of power, its creators would need to report their plans and results to the Commerce Department. This rule would mainly affect new AI models that haven’t been released yet.
Experts believe that while it’s essential to control the spread of these technologies, it might be challenging to enforce these rules. The AI industry changes quickly, and keeping up with its pace is difficult.
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The U.S. has already taken steps to limit the export of AI-related hardware to China. Additionally, it requires U.S. cloud services to report when foreign customers use their platforms to develop powerful AI models.
Reuters quotes an expert from the think tank CNAS, Tim Fist, who suggests that while setting a computing power threshold is a good temporary solution, the government should also consider the capabilities and intended use of AI models. Focusing on the potential security risks rather than just the technology would make the rules more effective and targeted.
According to Reuters, the U.S. is only a couple of years ahead of China in developing AI technologies. This means that even with strict regulations, China could catch up quickly.
The proposed regulations would focus on the technology behind apps like ChatGPT but would not limit the use of these apps by the public. As the situation develops, U.S. officials will continue to assess the best ways to handle the risks associated with exporting advanced AI technologies.
This move by the Biden administration highlights the ongoing concerns about national security and the role of AI in future conflicts. As AI technology evolves, the global implications of its use continue to grow, making international cooperation and regulation more crucial than ever.
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