Trump Wants to Double Spending on AI, Quantum Computing

Within the next two years, annual spending on AI would rise to more than $2 billion and funding for quantum computing would increase to $860 million, according to the White House plan. The proposed increases in AI spending include more than $850 million at the National Science Foundation, $125 million at the Department of Energy's Office of Science and $100 million at the Agriculture Department, among other agencies. The budget also proposes $50 million in AI and quantum education and job training initiatives, including partnerships with community colleges. "Early-stage research is a high priority," Kelvin Droegemeier, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said about proposed AI and quantum funding on a media conference call Monday. U.S. Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios, also speaking on the call, said the country is facing a "global power competition" for AI, quantum computing and other critical technologies.