AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order

In a book review for the New York Journal of Books, Rob Atkinson writes that “AI Superpowers” is really two books. The first half of the book, a discussion of artificial intelligence and the U.S. and Chinese companies competing for advantage, is extremely accessible and informative. The second half, which delves into the economic implications of AI, reinforces his belief that computer scientists should stick to computer science and leave economics to economists. According to author Kai-Fu Lee, China seems to be embracing AI fully. Chinese elites are not warning about the potential downsides of AI; they are rightly cheering AI as a progressive force. Rob writes it is only in the West that the Luddite argument is gaining ground, including through books like “AI Superpowers.” At a time when we need to do everything possible to raise productivity in order to cope with the massive baby boom retirement wave, fanning the fears of technology is not helpful.