I’ve always been a hoarder. Not the kind that collects old newspapers and empty milk jugs, but the kind that hoards technology. High-performance graphic processing units, to be precise. The lifeblood of my work, the backbone of my company’s AI developments. When the US chip export ban hit, I was ready. Or at least, I thought I was.

As the CEO of Baidu, one of China’s leading tech giants, I had anticipated the escalating tech war between nations. I knew that the ban on exporting AI chips would cripple smaller AI startups, leaving them struggling to survive. So, I took matters into my own hands. I secured enough AI chips to keep Baidu afloat for the next year or two, ensuring that our AI projects would continue to thrive.

But as the days turned into weeks, and the ban began to take its toll on the smaller players in the industry, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt. My hoarding had kept Baidu alive, but at what cost? Was it ethical to prioritize our survival over the survival of others? These questions haunted me as I navigated the murky waters of the tech war, trying to find a balance between responsibility and self-preservation.

The Tech War

The tech war between the United States and China had escalated to dangerous proportions. It was no longer just a battle for dominance in the AI industry; it was a battle for power and control. Both nations were hoarding resources, building their arsenals of AI chips and processors, preparing for a future where technology would be the ultimate weapon.

As the ban on chip exports tightened its grip, the consequences became more apparent. Smaller AI startups were forced to settle for less powerful processors that weren’t under U.S. export controls. They struggled to keep up with the tech giants, who had hoarded enough chips to last them for years. The gap between the haves and the have-nots widened, and the industry teetered on the edge of collapse.

Meanwhile, Baidu and other deep-pocketed Chinese tech companies continued to take proactive measures. We ordered thousands of units of A800 processors from Nvidia, costing us billions of dollars. We knew that these investments were necessary for our survival, but the guilt still gnawed at me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were contributing to the downfall of the smaller players, the ones who didn’t have the resources to hoard chips like we did.

The Moral Dilemma

The moral dilemma weighed heavily on my shoulders. I knew that Baidu’s survival was crucial for the advancement of AI development in China. Without us, the industry would suffer a significant setback. But at what cost? How could I justify our actions when smaller startups were struggling to stay afloat?

I sought solace in the belief that our chip reserves, along with other alternatives, would be sufficient to support AI-native apps for end-users. Inference required less powerful chips, and we had enough to meet the demand. But deep down, I knew that it wasn’t enough. The most advanced chips were essential for pushing the boundaries of AI, for driving innovation and progress. And by hoarding them, we were hindering the industry’s growth.

I confided in my closest advisors, seeking their guidance and wisdom. They understood the gravity of the situation, the delicate balance we had to maintain. We couldn’t simply give away our hoarded chips; that would be a death sentence for Baidu. But we could find ways to support the smaller startups, to help them survive in this cutthroat industry. It was a delicate dance, a tightrope act between self-interest and collective responsibility.

The Tech Giants

The tech giants, Baidu, ByteDance, Tencent, and Alibaba, held immense power in the industry. We had the resources, the influence, and the connections to shape the future of AI. But with great power came great responsibility, and we couldn’t ignore the plight of the smaller players.

Together, we devised a plan. We would create a fund, a lifeline for the struggling startups. We would provide them with the resources they needed to survive, to continue their work in AI development. It was a small step, a band-aid on a much larger wound, but it was a start.

The fund was met with mixed reactions. Some saw it as a lifeline, a glimmer of hope in a dark and uncertain future. Others saw it as a mere gesture, a way for the tech giants to appease their guilt without making any real sacrifices. The industry was divided, and the tension between the haves and the have-nots grew.

But amidst the chaos, a sense of unity began to emerge. The smaller startups realized that they couldn’t survive on their own, that they needed the support of the tech giants to weather the storm. And the tech giants, in turn, recognized the importance of fostering a healthy and competitive industry. It was a fragile alliance, built on trust and mutual benefit, but it was a step in the right direction.

The Future

As the tech war raged on, the industry entered a consolidation stage. The scarcity of advanced chips, coupled with the high demand for data and AI talent, forced startups to seek acquisition opportunities. The industry landscape shifted, with the tech giants absorbing the smaller players, integrating their expertise and resources into their own operations.

Baidu continued to lead the charge, pushing the boundaries of AI development. Our hoarded chips proved to be a lifeline, allowing us to stay ahead of the competition. But we never forgot the lessons we had learned, the moral dilemma that had plagued us. We remained committed to supporting the industry, to fostering a sense of unity and collaboration.

The tech war had changed us, shaped us into something different. We had seen the dark side of technology, the consequences of unchecked power and greed. But we had also seen the potential, the limitless possibilities that AI offered. And as we looked towards the future, we knew that it was our responsibility to navigate these murky waters, to ensure that technology served humanity rather than enslaving it.

Silicon Shadows may have cast a dark cloud over the industry, but it also brought us together. It forced us to confront our own ethics, to question our actions and motivations. And in doing so, it reminded us of the power we held, the power to shape the future. It was a power we couldn’t take lightly, a power we had to wield with care and responsibility. And as the tech war raged on, we vowed to do just that.

The Source

This small novel was automatically created by processing the news article “US chip export ban is hurting China’s AI startups, not so much the giants yet” published by TechCrunch. This novel is generated using a collection of recipes, generative AI, and the touch of a human (when time allows).

This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the Generative AI algorithm “imagination” or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.