US Senate to Debate Bill on Coping with China's Tech Rise
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The US Senate voted 86-11 Monday to open debate on a measure authorizing over $110 billion for basic and advanced technology research over five years in the face of rising competitive pressure from China.
The Endless Frontier Act would authorize most of the money, $100 billion, to invest in basic and advanced research, commercialization of the research, and education and training programs in key technology areas like artificial intelligence (AI).
The US and China are competing for technological supremacy in almost every innovation field in recent years, with disputes surrounding Chinese tech giant Huawei and chips.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the Senate will debate the bill for a week or two beginning on Tuesday, CGTN reported.
The US can either let China determine the rules of the road for 5G, AI and quantum computing or make sure it gets there itself first, Schumer suggested, calling the bill a "once-in-a-generation investment in American science and American technology."
The bill under consideration includes $2 billion to boost semiconductor production and research for the auto and defense sector, but a group of senators are also working on a measure to include $52 billion for chips, according to draft summary of a proposal.
