The recent rise of the Chinese artificial intelligence assistant, DeepSeek, has contributed to a dip in the US stock market, with tech stocks taking a hit. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has emphasized the importance of the US becoming a leader in AI. However, this vision appears to be intricately tied to the role of immigrants.
Under Trump’s previous administration, the US saw stringent immigration policies that resulted in visa rejections for employees and students, among other challenges. Yet, a recent study reveals that immigrants are at the heart of America’s AI industry. Nearly two-thirds of the top AI companies in the US were founded or co-founded by immigrants, and 70% of full-time graduate students in AI-related fields are international students. Additionally, between 40% and 60% of AI-related master’s degrees have been awarded to non-US citizens in the last five years, with more than 59% of Ph.D. awards in the field going to non-citizens in 2022.
Due to the hurdles posed by the current immigration system, many graduates from US institutions are leaving the country instead of contributing to the American workforce. Economists argue that a more favorable immigration system would help retain this valuable talent.
As outlined in a presidential executive order, the US aims to maintain and strengthen its global AI dominance to promote human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security. The key to achieving this ambition lies in the effective integration of immigrant talent into the country’s AI workforce.
Recent Random Post: