Artificial intelligence, or "AI," is the current direction of technological innovation, but if the U.S. does not step up its game, another world power may lead the future. The number of journal articles mentioning "deep learning" or "deep neural networks" produced by China…

As restrictions prevent foreign internet companies like Google and Facebook from operating in China, Chinese technology companies have free access to its users, resulting in access to more data, which in AI research means better results. China is also considering military applications for AI, most notably the development of next-generation "fire-and-forget" cruise missiles equipped with AI. Not to be left behind in the AI race, the White House established the NTSC Subcommittee on Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in May this year, which in turn created the National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Strategic Plan. This plan advocates creating a better setting in the US to enable growth in AI research. Increased support for AI research in the US will aid key players like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Apple, and IBM.