Eric Schmidt “Ai Leadership Loss Due to High Dependence on Taiwanese Semiconductors”

Publication of the National Security Council (NSCAI) report on artificial intelligence (AI)

[아시아경제 권재희 기자] Former Google Chairman Eric Schmidt voiced criticism that the US is on the verge of losing its world’s top position in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) due to its excessive dependence on Taiwanese companies in the semiconductor field.

According to a major foreign press on the 1st (local time), the’National Security Council on AI’ (NSCAI), chaired by former chairman Schmidt, requires the United States to build a flexible domestic foundation for semiconductor design and manufacturing after the last two years of research. Concluded.

“We are losing our position in the microelectronics we supply to our businesses and military due to our dependence on Taiwan,” said former chairman Schmidt.

NSCAI vice-chairman Bob Walk, former Vice Minister of Defense, also expressed a negative position, saying, “Since China is hostile to Taiwan, it is inevitable that the US has a high dependence on Taiwan.”

“The United States has a second-generation advantage over China in the semiconductor market, but we must act quickly to avoid losing this dominant position.” I evaluated it. “If China absorbs Taiwan, this will really threaten our competitiveness,” said Wak.

Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden issued an executive order related to supply chains such as semiconductors, batteries, and rare earths, and instructed to examine supply chain vulnerabilities in the United States for the next 100 days.

A 756-page research report prepared by MSCAI warned that while AI will benefit the US and consumers, there is also a risk of revealing “strategic vulnerabilities” due to China’s investment in advanced technologies.

The report pointed out, “The US private companies and universities are showing leadership in the field of AI, but the US is still not ready for the upcoming era.” In particular, he explained, “China is a rival country with strong and outstanding talent and ambition,” and “is challenging the US’s technological leadership and military superiority.”

In addition, the NSCAI warned in its report that “China has already advanced technologically in some applications, and in the next 10 years China will surpass the United States as a global AI powerhouse.”

Accordingly, NSCAI pointed out that the US government should significantly expand funding for AI research.

In addition, it was recommended to establish the’Technical Competitiveness Committee’ under the direct control of the White House, just as the National Security Committee was established after World War II. The NSCAI also emphasized the need to cultivate more domestic talent. According to the report, the number of students who were born in the United States and completed an AI PhD program has not increased in the past 30 years.

The report also pointed out that allowing China to win the AI ​​competition poses a geopolitical threat and risks its use as a’technological authoritarianism’ to pressure other countries.

Andrew Moore, a member of the NSCAI and head of Google Cloud AI, cited’surveillance’ technology as an example of a Chinese threat. “We are frankly concerned that China is experimenting with very totalitarian technology.”

Reporter Kwon Jae-hee [email protected]