Communications of the ACM
U.S. Senate Passes Bill to Encourage Tech Competition, Especially with China
Supporters described the legislation, aimed at boosting U.S. semiconductor production and the development of artificial intelligence and other technologies, as the biggest investment in scientific research that the U.S. has seen in decades.
Credit: Aly Song/REUTERS
The U.S. Senate passed legislation to ramp up semiconductor production and development of advanced technology amid intensifying global competition, especially from China.
The bill allocates $50 billion to the Commerce Department to prop up chip development and fabrication via research and incentive programs previously greenlit by Congress.
One provision would establish a new artificial intelligence- and quantum science-focused directorate within the National Science Foundation, authorizing up to $29 billion over five years for the new unit, and another $52 billion for its initiatives.
Said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), "Whoever wins the race to the technologies of the future is going to be the global economic leader, with profound consequences for foreign policy and national security as well."
The House Science Committee is expected to consider that chamber's version of the legislation soon.
From NPR
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