Can the U.S. Outpace China in AI Through Chip Controls?, A DebateCan the U.S. Outpace China in AI Through Chip Controls?, A Debate

The revolution in artificial intelligence (AI) is underway, and the United States and China are racing to surpass each other. At the heart of this competition are computer chips, the integrated circuits and semiconductors that power everything from natural language processing to autonomous weapons. The United States is betting that export controls on chips can help check China's technological ambitions. But will this containment strategy work, or might it inadvertently accelerate China's drive for self-sufficiency? Those who support implementing chip controls argue that restricting China's access to chips will give the United States critical breathing room to advance AI safely. Such controls, they contend, will enable the United States to set global norms and maintain dominance. Those who oppose implementing chip controls argue that such controls are inadequate and, noting that domestic chipmakers like Nvidia and Intel also rely on sales from China, warn that they could backfire. Cutting off China's access to chips could harm U.S. competitiveness in the long run, they contend, especially if other countries don't fully align with U.S. policy. As the race for supremacy in artificial intelligence intensifies, can the United States outpace China in AI through chip controls?