Eli from Daily Blob discusses South Korea’s strategic investment in developing sovereign AI models tailored to their language and culture, contrasting it with the massive but less focused spending by U.S. companies like OpenAI. He highlights the ethical, cultural, and geopolitical importance of localized AI systems, urging viewers to consider the implications of relying on foreign AI technologies and promoting his upcoming hands-on AI development class.
In this video, Eli, the host of Daily Blob, shares his thoughts on the current state of AI development globally, focusing on South Korea’s ambitious plans to develop sovereign AI technology. He begins by promoting an upcoming in-person AI development class in Durham, North Carolina, where participants will learn to build a simple AI system using tools like local large language models (LLMs), SQLite, Bottle, and REST APIs. Eli emphasizes the need for more AI innovation worldwide as we approach 2025, expressing enthusiasm for South Korea’s efforts to contribute to this growing field.
Eli discusses the massive investments being poured into AI by various companies and countries, highlighting the staggering valuations of firms like OpenAI, Anthropic, and XAI, as well as the enormous capital expenditures planned by leaders like Sam Altman. He contrasts this with South Korea’s more modest but focused investment of around $390 million to support local companies in building foundational AI models tailored to their language and culture. Eli questions whether the U.S. is over-investing or if South Korea’s approach is smarter, noting that South Korea aims to reduce reliance on foreign AI technologies to enhance national security and data control.
A key point Eli raises is the importance of culturally and linguistically specific AI models. He references a conversation with IBM’s VP of AI models about training AI on specialized data sets, such as corporate communications, to improve relevance and performance. This idea extends to national AI initiatives, where countries like South Korea are developing models that better reflect their own languages and cultural contexts. Eli finds this approach compelling, especially in a globalized world where AI systems influence critical decisions and interactions.
Eli also delves into the ethical and geopolitical implications of AI, questioning the risks of relying on foreign AI systems for national decision-making. He highlights concerns about AI as a “black box” technology, where the reasoning behind decisions is often opaque. This raises questions about trust and control, especially when AI systems could impact millions of people. Eli uses the trolley problem metaphor to illustrate the dilemma of whose AI should make life-and-death decisions, emphasizing the potential consequences if AI from one country harms citizens of another.
In conclusion, Eli invites viewers to reflect on the broader implications of sovereign AI development and the global AI race. He encourages discussion about whether countries should insist on their own AI systems and how to handle the risks of AI errors or harm across borders. He wraps up by reminding viewers about his upcoming in-person class and urging them to participate if they can attend physically. Throughout, Eli’s tone is candid and humorous, blending frustration with curiosity about the future of AI technology and its societal impact.