The AI Race

The widely accepted “AI Race” narrative, which pits the US against rivals like China, is a flawed metaphor that actively harms thoughtful AI development and policy. This chapter deconstructs the “race” by showing it lacks a clear finish line or coherent definition of “winning,” unlike historical contests such as the space race or the Manhattan Project. The narrative is based on three shaky assumptions: that innovation inherently equals progress, that generative AI is already capable of near-term, large-scale usefulness, and that the “winner” will control global AI values. Critically, these flawed premises trigger predictable, problematic policy reactions, including unlimited corporate and governmental spending, indefinite delays on necessary regulation, and hasty, thoughtless deployment. By prioritizing speed and raw capability over genuine utility, the “AI race” risks squandering resources on unreliable systems and undermining public trust. The chapter concludes that the real challenge lies in human coordination, not computation, and calls for abandoning the race framework in favor of a wise, goal-oriented approach that serves human needs over corporate interests.