Artificial intelligence is no longer just a promise of the future; it is a reality transforming the economy, politics, and global security. Governments and tech companies are engaged in a frantic race for development, aware that whoever leads this revolution will dominate the next digital era. With billions in investments at stake and unprecedented advancements, ethical and political dilemmas emerge about how far AI can go, and whether Europe will be able to compete with the U.S. and China in developing and harnessing it.
To better understand this complex landscape, we sat down with Pedro Uría Recio, former McKinsey executive, financial artificial intelligence expert, and author of How AI Will Shape Our Future: Understand Artificial Intelligence and Stay Ahead to discuss trade tensions, strategic investments, and regulations that could shape AI’s trajectory in the coming years.
To start, tell us the basics: what is artificial intelligence?
Artificial intelligence is a collection of algorithms that perform functions traditionally associated with the human mind, such as language, object recognition, planning, and decision-making. It relies on complex models that require large amounts of data and computational power to function efficiently.
Lately, we have seen exponential growth in this field. What advancements have driven this acceleration?
Although artificial intelligence has been developing for decades, its recent boom is due to improvements in neural networks and increased processing power. Companies like OpenAI and Google have developed increasingly advanced models, enabling practical applications in various sectors. However, this progress has required massive investments in data centers and specialized hardware.
What do you think about achieving general artificial intelligence similar to human intelligence?
It is an ambitious goal. Since the 1970s, predictions about its arrival have been made, but we are still far from achieving it. While there have been significant advances in specific artificial intelligence, we do not yet have systems capable of matching human flexibility and comprehension across multiple tasks.
Let’s talk about risks. What are the main concerns surrounding artificial intelligence?
One of the most significant risks is a lack of control over these systems. If a superintelligence develops objectives different from those of humans, it could lead to unintended consequences. Other issues are political bias and information manipulation. Many companies leading AI development have particular interests that can influence the responses and decisions of these systems.
You mentioned bias in AI. What impact does this have on politics and society?
It’s a delicate issue. Many artificial intelligence platforms align with certain ideological narratives and may censor or promote content according to their interests. This has been evident in social media moderation and how specific topics are presented. With Trump’s election, for example, there has been a shift in how misinformation and AI control are discussed.
Globally, how do you see competition between countries in AI development?
The United States, China, and Europe are in a technological race. China, for instance, has restricted its citizens’ access to Western models like ChatGPT but leads in business and military applications. The U.S. has announced a $500 billion investment in AI, highlighting the sector’s strategic importance. In contrast, Europe has opted for strict regulation, which may slow down development and hinder the competitiveness of its tech companies.
Last week, President Ursula von der Leyen announced a €200 billion investment in artificial intelligence at the AI Summit in Paris. How do you assess this decision?
This investment adds to the €109 billion announced by Macron. While it is a positive step, the EU has fallen behind, especially after its restrictive AI law and Trump’s $500 billion investment in the U.S.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance made it clear at the summit that his country will lead AI development with minimal regulation, eliminating ideological biases and focusing on job creation. Regulations will be implemented only if AI negatively impacts the labor market.
While the American spoke with clarity and confidence, the European Commission president delivered a bureaucratic speech justifying Europe’s position.
Europe will focus its investment on industrial sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, and mining—a niche that the U.S. does not prioritize but that China is already exploring. While these planned AI investments are a step forward, the EU still lacks a clear plan. The summit showed a growing consensus about reducing regulation, with the possibility of modifying or even eliminating the AI law before its implementation.
China recently launched DeepSeek. Is it a competitor to ChatGPT?
DeepSeek R1 is a reasoning model as advanced as OpenAI’s but significantly cheaper. While training OpenAI O1 cost up to $150 million, China claims to have developed its model for just $6 million. Its low cost and efficiency alarmed the U.S. industry.
The immediate impact was a drop in the stocks of companies like Nvidia, although they quickly recovered. DeepSeek R1 will reduce costs, foster competition, and accelerate AI innovation.
Trump has 90 days to present his AI plan, which could restrict collaboration between Chinese and American scientists. This would affect open-source projects, which are crucial for the safe development of AI.
With so many implications, what role will AI play in the future of employment?
In the short term, AI will create more jobs than it destroys, as with other technological revolutions. However, if automation advances too quickly, many people could be displaced without possibly transitioning to new professions. There is also discussion about a universal basic income to mitigate these effects, but this measure carries risks, such as citizens’ dependence on the state.
You mentioned universal basic income. Some governments are already testing the idea. What is your opinion on it?
Universal basic income is a recurring proposal, especially among politicians and tech leaders like Elon Musk and Sam Altman. It is a solution to AI potentially replacing human jobs, leaving most people unemployed. The idea is that AI will generate enough wealth to fund a universal income, allowing individuals to focus on personal pursuits without worrying about survival.
However, this raises many questions. Can AI truly replace all human jobs? Additionally, this model resembles communism, which historically failed due to its elimination of incentives and reduced productivity. The geopolitical and social stability impacts are also uncertain, as such a drastic employment transformation could lead to unrest.
A significant issue is how to finance this income. Most government revenue comes from worker taxes. If employment disappears, taxation will fall on major corporations, further concentrating economic power. Wealthy companies would generate all the wealth and decide who receives money and under what conditions, controlling millions of lives.
Finally, what advice would you give to those preparing for a job market dominated by AI?
There are three key skills: critical thinking, adaptability, and entrepreneurship. It is essential to analyze information independently, be willing to constantly learn new skills, and seek entrepreneurial opportunities. Creativity and innovation will be vital in a future where we compete with machines.
