Part 10/15:
Hinton's critique extends to government policies and societal attitudes. The U.S. has relied on immigrants and academic institutions for technological prowess, but recent efforts to undermine funding and restrict research threaten long-term progress. He warns that this could delay necessary breakthroughs, allowing other nations—particularly China—to forge ahead.
This strategic weakness could have dire consequences in the long run, granting China an advantage if political deterrents hamper American innovation. Essentially, attacking fundamental research today might lead to a technological lag two decades from now, leaving the U.S. behind.