Garry Tan, co-founder and partner at Y Combinator, is calling for a shift in the way AI technology is developed and used across industries. In an interview with The New York Times, Tan expressed concerns that some American-based startups are relying on Chinese-funded AI labs to develop their cutting-edge models, rather than creating their own research facilities.
Tan wants smaller, US-based open-weight AI labs to adopt similar training techniques as those in China, where companies like Baidu and Google have established large-scale AI research operations. By doing so, Tan believes the US can develop a more robust set of open-weight options that are not dependent on Chinese funding or expertise. This approach would allow American startups to tap into existing infrastructure and talent, rather than having to build their own from scratch.
Tan's suggestion is not new, but it reflects growing concerns about the dominance of foreign-funded AI labs in the global research landscape. According to a recent report by the National Science Foundation, Chinese-funded AI researchers have secured over 50% of the top patents awarded for US-based AI innovation. By advocating for more US-led AI research, Tan hopes to promote greater diversity and competition in the industry, and ensure that American startups have access to the same cutting-edge technology as their international peers.