There is no justification based on national security or economic advantage for prevailing in the artificial intelligence competition.
Apple sells a significant portion of its iPhones in China, with global production readily available for consumption worldwide. This global accessibility is akin to the entire world's production being right next door for businesses selling their goods. This concept is not exclusive to technology, as it applies to various market goods that are produced and sold globally.
Recently, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and Matt Pottinger, chairman of the China program at Foundation for Defense of Democracies, shared their thoughts in an opinion piece. They argued that the U.S. needs to lead the world in artificial intelligence (AI) to safeguard national security, but this claim lacks supporting evidence.
The idea that a single country must dominate AI development is debatable. Just as the production of market goods is globally accessible, the innovations produced in the U.S. will also be distributed worldwide. Google, for example, plans to spend $75 billion on AI and AI-adjacent investments in 2025, with Amazon following close behind by investing $100 billion in the technology.
The sprawling capital outlays by U.S.-based companies don't suggest an intention to hoard their market-oriented advances within their own borders. Instead, these companies will share their discoveries with the rest of the world, making it seem as though the innovations originated from various parts of the globe where they're being utilized.
China is not exempt from this global trend. Take the case of DeepSeek, a powerful AI app that quickly gained popularity in the U.S. despite China's limitations on Nvidia exports. Despite these restrictions, the app managed to leverage less powerful Nvidia chips, proving that production restrictions can't stop the flow of technology entirely.
The incident underscores the point that politicians can limit who a manufacturer sells to, but they cannot control who that manufacturer eventually sells to. In addition, creating excessive rules to limit the export of critical technologies can stunt growth in the tech sector not just in the U.S., but also in China and other countries involved in global production.
Ultimately, free-flowing markets and shareholders who encourage global collaboration are the key to preventing any central plans from stifling innovations. This globally connected economy is the most peaceful concept ever devised by humanity, underscoring the importance of preserving this freedom for the world's technological advancements.
John Tamny, a well-known commentator, aligns with this viewpoint, asserting that the headquartered location of a company does not necessarily determine its impact or influence. By 2025, DeepSeek, an AI app originating from an unknown headquarters, will have spread its influence globally, proving Amodei and Pottinger's point about the distributed nature of AI innovations. Even with trade restrictions, DeepSeek managed to leverage available resources, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of the global tech industry. This scenario underscores the relevance of the debate between Tamny and the assertions made by Amodei and Pottinger, suggesting that a single country's dominance in AI development may not be the only viable path to ensure national security.
