Column: How fearmongering sets policy, from ‘marihuana’ to solar to A.I.

Source Domain: www.latimes.com

Summary of the Article:

AI Infrastructure Growth: The U.S. government’s spending on artificial intelligence has significantly increased from about 472 contracts in 2022 to more than 1,700 in 2026, with the Department of Defense accounting for most of the $90 billion expenditure. However, departments like Commerce, Health and Human Services, and NASA are also investing billions in AI.
Data Centers as AI Physical Representation: Data centers are crucial for the operations of AI, as they provide the computational power needed to run AI models. Their construction reflects the growth and reliance on AI technology.
Ethics of Technological Disruption: The author expresses concern about whether the exponential growth in AI and data centers will benefit society broadly or primarily serve the interests of the wealthiest individuals and corporations. This reflects a long history of technology being used to profit the few rather than the many.
Case Studies in Missed Opportunities: The article references historical examples like the discontinuation of General Motors’ EV1, the removal of solar panels from the White House by Reagan’s administration, and the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 that shows the U.S. lost out on technological and economic opportunities. Similar concerns are applied to the current advances in AI and data centers.
Hemp and Sustainable Construction: The article discusses the potential of hemp as a sustainable building material, highlighting how decades of prohibition have stalled its industrial use in the U.S. Meanwhile, European countries are advancing in industrial hemp production for construction.
Public Perception and AI: There’s a call to differentiate between the beneficial uses of AI and its potential threats, mirroring the need to dispel myths and misinformation about hemp to appreciate its benefits. Similarly, society needs to critically evaluate AI’s impact and intentions before forging forward.