The Next 24 Months in AI Could Shape the Next 100 Years
The pace of artificial intelligence development is accelerating, and the decisions made in the next two years will influence the direction of the next century. The U.S. and China are in a close race to create AI systems that go beyond simple tasks—systems capable of reasoning, planning, and self-improvement.
Current AI focuses on chatbots and smart assistants. However, by 2027, experts predict the arrival of artificial general intelligence (AGI), which will perform at a Ph.D.-level across various fields. Shortly thereafter, AI superintelligence—models surpassing human cognitive ability and solving problems beyond our current grasp—could emerge. Mark Zuckerberg recently stated that “developing superintelligence is now in sight,” as AI systems have begun improving themselves.
The Stakes of China Leading AI Superintelligence
If China reaches AI superintelligence first, it would dramatically shift global power. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) could leverage this technology to:
- Launch adaptive cyberattacks against U.S. defense and commercial infrastructures, targeting satellites, power grids, and weapons systems.
- Control global information flows by flooding networks with AI-generated propaganda while erasing or altering historical records quickly and extensively.
- Export authoritarian surveillance and control through the digital infrastructure it builds and sells worldwide.
- Undermine U.S. economic competitiveness by using superintelligent AI to outpace American businesses in innovation, finance, logistics, and scientific research.
This scenario aligns with China’s strategic plans laid out in their 2017 National AI Development Plan, aiming for global AI leadership by 2030. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt warned Congress that if China achieves superintelligence first, it would shift global power in unpredictable ways.
Different Approaches to AI Development
American AI developers prioritize building responsible systems designed to follow instructions, avoid harm, and resist manipulation. In contrast, China mandates AI models to serve state interests, control information, and are being trained to manage entire populations.
Meanwhile, China has been embedding malware into American military and civilian infrastructure, exploiting vulnerabilities silently. Campaigns like Volt Typhoon have planted backdoors in internet-connected devices, and Chinese tech companies must report foreign software weaknesses directly to the state without disclosing them internationally.
The Urgency of U.S. Action
The arrival of superintelligent AI will grant anyone who controls it a critical, possibly irreversible advantage. The U.S. possesses the expertise, companies, and values necessary to lead in advanced AI development.
President Donald Trump’s AI Action Plan aims to accelerate these efforts by removing regulatory barriers, fast-tracking infrastructure projects, and implementing federal measures to promote innovation. This coordinated approach is essential at this moment.
Yet, more steps are needed:
- Congress should formalize the AI Action Plan into law to protect these initiatives from future reversals.
- With over 1,000 AI-related bills introduced at the state level, a federal pause on state AI regulations for 5-10 years is necessary to prevent conflicting rules that could stifle AI’s growth.
- Existing fair use copyright laws must be preserved to ensure AI models have access to the broadest data sets, supporting breakthroughs in healthcare, small business growth, and national security.
Conclusion: A Critical Moment for Leadership and Values
The U.S. cannot afford to slow down AI development when acceleration is required. Bold action now will enable America to lead the next era of AI, embedding principles of freedom, transparency, and trust into global digital infrastructure.
This is not simply a technology competition. It is a contest to defend national security, economic competitiveness, and core values. With superintelligence emerging and U.S. AI mobilization underway, the choices made over the next 24 months will determine whether the next century favors freedom or authoritarian control.
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