AI Development: The Main Actors

Anka Reuel, 6 April 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the way we live and work. From self-driving cars to personalized healthcare, AI has the potential to revolutionize virtually every aspect of our lives. Whether this change will be positive or negative depends, among other things, on the key players in AI development.

This article provides an overview of who is involved.

Tech companies

Major tech companies are currently the main drivers of AI development. Google, Amazon and Microsoft are some of the major companies investing in AI research and development. For example, Google's AI AlphaGo made headlines when it defeated the world champion in the board game Go, demonstrating the potential of AI to solve complex problems.

Younger companies like OpenAI, which developed ChatGPT, are also heavily influencing the field through the targeted development of AI programs. The recent launch of ChatGPT showed that AI systems can not only process speech, but also help solve a wide range of problems. At the same time, ChatGPT highlighted how many areas of life could be affected by AI in the future and the far-reaching changes that could occur as a result.

One advantage of tech companies in AI development is their ability to drive innovation quickly. Startups in particular are often more agile than larger organizations, allowing them to develop new AI technologies and applications more quickly. However, companies are driven by profit motives, which can lead to the development of AI applications that prioritize profit over societal benefit.

Academic institutions

Academic institutions such as universities are further relevant players in the field of AI. They have made significant contributions to AI research and development –including the development of machine learning algorithms, the creation of AI datasets, and the training of AI professionals.

Because academic institutions, unlike companies, are not profit-driven, they might play a special role: They could help ensure that AI is developed in a responsible manner. However, academic AI research groups have struggled in recent years to keep pace with private-sector players. This is because the development of AI systems like ChatGPT is extremely resource-intensive, and therefore easier for well-funded companies to manage.

Government agencies

The most important actors influencing AI development also include (supra-)governmental bodies. Examples in Europe include the European Commission, the EU Parliament and the Council of the European Union, but also national bodies such as the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport in Germany. These agencies provide funding, resources, and legal frameworks to support AI research, development, and deployment.

One example is the EU AI Act, a bill to regulate AI in the EU. It aims to ensure that AI is developed and used in a safe and ethical manner, with appropriate safeguards to protect privacy and avoid discrimination. The AI Act is currently being negotiated at the EU level and is expected to become European law by 2024. EU member states will then have to translate this law into standards and practical requirements that other actors must comply with.

In addition, government agencies can provide the resources and funding needed for AI research and development. In this way, they can help advance the field while maintaining a focus on safety in government-funded research initiatives.

Working together for responsible AI development

AI development is driven by a variety of players, including government agencies, tech companies, and academic institutions. Each of these players bring unique strengths and challenges to AI development: government agencies can provide funding and regulatory frameworks, tech companies can rapidly drive innovation, and academic institutions can work on long-term oriented research.

As AI development continues, it is critical that we consider its ethical and societal implications. Only if all stakeholders work together and prioritize responsible and ethical AI can we ensure that AI is developed and deployed for the benefit of society.