A new study has shed light on the geographical distribution of high-end chips, particularly GPUs, which are crucial for building and running powerful AI systems like chatbots. The research found that these chips are highly concentrated in only 30 countries around the world, with the U.S. and China leading the pack. This concentration of AI infrastructure has significant implications for geopolitical competition and AI governance.
The study, conducted by researchers at Oxford University’s Internet Institute, revealed that many countries are left in what the authors refer to as “Compute Deserts” where there are no GPUs available for hire. This lack of access to AI infrastructure not only limits the capabilities of these countries in terms of AI development, but also leaves them with fewer options for regulating how AI is built and deployed. Countries with jurisdiction over AI infrastructure have more power to enforce compliance and shape norms around AI development.
The competition between the U.S. and China to amass stockpiles of high-end chips has led to Washington enacting sanctions aimed at preventing Beijing from acquiring cutting-edge varieties. This race for AI dominance underscores the importance of understanding where AI infrastructure is located and how it is distributed around the world. The study’s findings highlight the need for greater transparency and data sharing in order to inform discussions around AI governance and regulation.
The concentration of AI infrastructure in a limited number of countries raises questions about how power and influence in the AI landscape are distributed. Countries with control over AI infrastructure have the ability to shape AI development and set norms around what is considered safe and ethical in the field. This has implications not only for geopolitical competition, but also for the development of AI technologies that impact societies around the world.
In order to address the challenges posed by the uneven distribution of AI infrastructure, the study’s authors call for greater collaboration and data sharing between countries. By promoting transparency and cooperation, countries can work together to ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed in a way that is fair, ethical, and beneficial for all. The findings of the study highlight the importance of understanding the global landscape of AI infrastructure in order to inform discussions around governance and regulation in the field.
