Sci-Tech

In One Key A.I. Metric, China Pulls Ahead of the U.S.: Talent

Published

4 months ago

March 22, 2024

When it comes to the artificial intelligence that powers chatbots like ChatGPT, China lags behind the United States. But when it comes to producing the scientists behind a new generation of humanoid technologies, China is pulling ahead.

New research shows that China has by some metrics eclipsed the United States as the biggest producer of A.I. talent, with the country generating almost half the world’s top A.I. researchers. By contrast, about 18 percent come from U.S. undergraduate institutions, according to the study, from MacroPolo, a think tank run by the Paulson Institute, which promotes constructive ties between the United States and China.

The findings show a jump for China, which produced about one-third of the world’s top talent three years earlier. The United States, by contrast, remained mostly the same. The research is based on the backgrounds of researchers whose papers were published at 2022’s Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems. NeurIPS, as it is known, is focused on advances in neural networks, which have anchored recent developments in generative A.I.

The talent imbalance has been building for the better part of a decade. During much of the 2010s, the United States benefited as large numbers of China’s top minds moved to American universities to complete doctoral degrees. A majority of them stayed in the United States. But the research shows that trend has also begun to turn, with growing numbers of Chinese researchers staying in China.

What happens in the next few years could be critical as China and the United States jockey for primacy in A.I. — a technology that can potentially increase productivity, strengthen industries and drive innovation — turning the researchers into one of the most geopolitically important groups in the world.

Generative A.I. has captured the tech industry in Silicon Valley and in China, causing a frenzy in funding and investment. The boom has been led by U.S. tech giants such as Google and start-ups like OpenAI. That could attract China’s researchers, though rising tensions between Beijing and Washington could also deter some, experts said.

(The New York Times has sued OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement of news content related to A.I. systems.)

China has nurtured so much A.I. talent partly because it invested heavily in A.I. education. Since 2018, the country has added more than 2,000 undergraduate A.I. programs, with more than 300 at its most elite universities, said Damien Ma, the managing director of MacroPolo, though he noted the programs were not heavily focused on the technology that had driven breakthroughs by chatbots like ChatGPT.

“A lot of the programs are about A.I. applications in industry and manufacturing, not so much the generative A.I. stuff that’s come to dominate the American A.I. industry at the moment,” he said.

While the United States has pioneered breakthroughs in A.I., most recently with the uncanny humanlike abilities of chatbots, a significant portion of that work was done by researchers educated in China.

Researchers originally from China now make up 38 percent of the top A.I. researchers working in the United States, with Americans making up 37 percent, according to the research. Three years earlier, those from China made up 27 percent of top talent working in the United States, compared with 31 percent from the United States.

“The data shows just how critical Chinese-born researchers are to the United States for A.I. competitiveness,” said Matt Sheehan, a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace who studies Chinese A.I.

He added that the data seemed to show the United States was still attractive. “We’re the world leader in A.I. because we continue to attract and retain talent from all over the world, but especially China,” he said.

Pieter Abbeel, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and a founder of Covariant, an A.I. and robotics start-up, said working alongside large numbers of Chinese researchers was taken for granted inside the leading American companies and universities.

“It’s just a natural state of affairs,” he said.

In the past, U.S. defense officials were not too concerned about A.I. talent flows from China, partly because many of the biggest A.I. projects did not deal with classified data and partly because they reasoned that it was better to have the best minds available. That so much of the leading research in A.I. is published openly also held back worries.

Despite bans introduced by the Trump administration that prohibit entry to the United States for students from some military-linked universities in China and a relative slowdown in the flow of Chinese students into the country during Covid, the research showed large numbers of the most promising A.I. minds continued coming to the United States to study.

But this month, a Chinese citizen who was an engineer at Google was charged with trying to transfer A.I. technology — including critical microchip architecture — to a Beijing-based company that paid him in secret, according to a federal indictment.

The substantial numbers of Chinese A.I. researchers working in the United States now present a conundrum for policymakers, who want to counter Chinese espionage while not discouraging the continued flow of top Chinese computer engineers into the United States, according to experts focused on American competitiveness.

“Chinese scholars are almost leading the way in the A.I. field,” said Subbarao Kambhampati, a professor and researcher of A.I. at Arizona State University. If policymakers try to bar Chinese nationals from research in the United States, he said, they are “shooting themselves in the foot.”

The track record of U.S. policymakers is mixed. A policy by the Trump administration aimed at curbing Chinese industrial espionage and intellectual property theft has since been criticized for errantly prosecuting a number of professors. Such programs, Chinese immigrants said, have encouraged some to stay in China.

For now, the research showed, most Chinese who complete doctorates in the United States stay in the country, helping to make it the global center of the A.I. world. Even so, the U.S. lead has begun to slip, to hosting about 42 percent of the world’s top talent, down from about 59 percent three years ago, according to the research.

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Sci-Tech

ISPs are fighting to raise the price of low-income broadband

Published

7 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Danny Gallagher

A new government program is trying to encourage Internet service providers (ISPs) to offer lower rates for lower income customers by distributing federal funds through states. The only problem is the ISPs don’t want to offer the proposed rates.

obtained a letter sent to US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo signed by more than 30 broadband industry trade groups like ACA Connects and the Fiber Broadband Association as well as several state based organizations. The letter raises “both a sense of alarm and urgency” about their ability to participate in the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. The newly formed BEAD program provides over $42 billion in federal funds to “expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure, deployment and adoption programs” in states across the country, according to the (NTIA).

The money first goes to the NTIA and then it’s distributed to states after they obtain approval from the NTIA by presenting a low-cost broadband Internet option. The ISP industries’ letter claims a fixed rate of $30 per month for high speed Internet access is “completely unmoored from the economic realities of deploying and operating networks in the highest-cost, hardest-to-reach areas.”

The letter urges the NTIA to revise the low-cost service option rate proposed or approved so far. have completed all of the BEAD program’s phases.

Americans pay an average of $89 a month for Internet access. New Jersey has the highest average bill at $126 per month, according to a survey conducted by . A 2021 study from the found that 57 percent of households with an annual salary of $30,000 or less have a broadband connection.

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Sci-Tech

Best Internet Providers in Columbia, South Carolina

Published

9 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Stephen J. Bronner

What’s the best internet provider in Columbia?

This famously hot Soda City — endearingly nicknamed “Cola” — is South Carolina’s capital. Pondering these two unrelated facts brings up two questions for those of us who’d rather stay safely indoors to beat the heat, watching Netflix with a fizzy beverage in hand: Do the internet speeds in Columbia pop? Are there options to consider for the best internet service provider in the city?

Good news for residents of the former home of the world’s largest fire hydrant: Median download speeds in Columbia exceed 200 megabits per second, according to Ookla data. To answer the second question, fiber internet from AT&T is available in Soda City and that makes AT&T Fiber our choice for the best internet service provider in Columbia.

While we recommend AT&T Fiber, its expected speeds are on par with Spectrum’s, its largest competitor within Columbia, according to Ookla. Other than these two major ISPs, some Soda City citizens can connect with Verizon and T-Mobile’s 5G home internet. If you’re looking for the speediest plan in the city, AT&T Fiber’s multigig plans top out at 5,000Mbps. On the other hand, there are a few affordable options in the area, but the cheapest internet belongs to Spectrum’s $40-per-month plan for 300Mbps.

Best internet in Soda City

Columbia internet providers compared

Provider	Internet technology	Monthly price range	Speed range	Monthly equipment costs	Data cap	Contract	CNET review score
AT&T Read full review	Fiber	$55-$245	300-5,000Mbps	None	None	None	7.4
CarolinaConnect Cooperative, Inc.	Fiber	$50-$90	350-1,000Mbps	None	None	None	N/A
Hughesnet Read full review	Satellite	$50-$95	50-100Mbps	$15 or $300 to $450 one-time purchase	100-200GB	2 years	6
Spectrum Read full review	Cable	$50-$90	300-1,000Mbps	Modem free; $7 for router (optional)	None	None	7.2
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review	Fixed wireless	$60-$70 ($40-$50 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers)	72-245Mbps	None	None	None	7.4
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review	Fixed Wireless	$50-$70 ($35-$45 for eligible mobile customers)	100-300Mbps	None	None	None	7.2
Viasat Read full review	Satellite	$120	25-150Mbps	$15 or $250 one-time purchase	Unlimited (850GB soft cap)	None	6.1

Show more (3 items)

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

Other available internet providers in Columbia

Most of the city will have access to AT&T’s fiber internet (or EarthLink’s piggybacked option) or cable internet through Spectrum. In contrast, some neighborhoods have access to T-Mobile or Verizon’s 5G options, as well as regional carriers ispMint and EIN. Here are the other options in the city not listed above.

EarthLink: EarthLink uses other networks to connect its customers to the internet. The company provides a good variety of speeds, starting at 100Mbps and going up to a whopping 5,000Mbps, with prices ranging from $60 to $190.
EIN: This Kansas-based ISP serves some of Columbia and its surrounding areas. DSL internet plans start at $88 monthly for 6Mbps in download speeds. However, the tiers range from 300Mbps to blazing speeds of 5,000Mbps.
ispMint: A veteran-owned provider serving mostly rural customers, its $199 plan (which requires purchasing a $299 device or an extra $30 per month to lease) averages between 15 to 50Mbps.
Hughesnet: Columbia residents likely won’t need satellite internet (SpaceX’s Starlink is also available almost everywhere in the city). Hughesnet offers speeds of 50Mbps with prices starting at $50 with a two-year contract and equipment fees. Columbia residents have access to its Fusion plans, a satellite and wireless home internet combo.
T-Mobile Home Internet: The wireless carrier’s 5G home internet can be a compelling option in terms of price if it’s available to you, especially if you have certain mobile plans with the company. Speeds range from 72 to 245Mbps for $60 per month. It becomes a much more compelling option for customers of the company’s Go5G Plus or Magenta Max phone plans, which drops the price to $40 monthly. T-Mobile customers with Go5G, Magenta or Essentials plans get a smaller discounted price of $40 per month.
Viasat: Viasat has a singular plan that features speeds of up to 150Mbps for $120 per month. While unlimited data is available, you can expect a monthly soft cap of 850GB.

Evening view of the South Carolina State House in Columbia, South Carolina. The Wade Hampton statue sits behind the South Carolina Statehouse. — Denis Tangney, Jr./Getty Images

Cheap internet options in Columbia

You can expect to spend around $51 per month to connect to the internet in Columbia. If you want more speed, there are many options. That’s good news for people who want to beat the city’s famous heat by staying indoors.

How many members of your household use the internet?

The cheapest internet belongs to Spectrum’s $40-per-month plan for download speeds of 300Mbps. However, for those looking for cheap internet options in Columbia, there aren’t many. Most plans start around $50 per month. However, eligible mobile customers with Verizon and T-Mobile can receive discounted rates.

What’s the cheapest internet plan in Columbia?

Provider	Starting price	Max download speed	Monthly equipment fee	Contract
Spectrum Read full review	$40	300Mbps	Modem free; $7 for router (optional)	None
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review	$50 ($35 with eligible phone plan)	100Mbps	None	None
AT&T Fiber 300 Read full review	$55	300Mbps	None	None
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review	$60 ($40 with eligible phone plan)	245Mbps	None	None

Show more (0 item)

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

How to find internet deals and promotions in Columbia

The best internet deals and top promotions in Columbia depend on what discounts are available during a given time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.

Columbia internet providers, such as Spectrum and Verizon, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, however, including AT&T and T-Mobile run the same standard pricing year-round.

For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.

How fast is Columbia broadband?

According to the latest Ookla speed test data, Columbia residents have access to a comfortable fixed median download speed of 230Mbps. Gig-plus options are available from AT&T, Spectrum and local ISP CarolinaConnect Cooperative. AT&T Fiber has the fastest hookup, featuring 5,000Mbps in download and upload speeds.

Fastest internet plans in Columbia

Provider	Max download speed	Max upload speed	Starting price	Data cap	Contract
AT&T Fiber 5000 Read full review	5,000Mbps	5,000Mbps	$245	None	None
AT&T Fiber 2000 Read full review	2,000Mbps	2,000Mbps	$145	None	None
AT&T Fiber 1000 Read full review	1,000Mbps	1,000Mbps	$80	None	None
CarolinaConnect 1000	1,000Mbps	1,000Mbps	$90	None	None
Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review	1,000Mbps	35Mbps	$60	None	None

Show more (1 item)

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

What’s a good internet speed?

Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines — and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics — browsing the internet, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.
5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Columbia

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we’re considering every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. To evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service, we look at sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of the time of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
Are customers happy with their service?

While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend.

To explore our process in more depth, visit our How We Test ISPs page.

What’s the final word on internet providers in Columbia?

Most Columbia residents will be well served by Spectrum’s cable connection which is widely available in the city. Some Cola residents have access to 5G home internet from T-Mobile or Verizon — each makes for a good option for existing customers of their wireless services due to the deep monthly discounts they offer. AT&T Fiber’s coverage is limited in the city, but if your address is serviceable, I would put it at the top of your list.

Internet providers in Columbia FAQs

Which is the best internet service provider in Columbia, SC?

With its high marks on customer satisfaction surveys and variety of options in terms of price and speed — CNET calls it a “terrific value” — AT&T’s fiber internet will be the best choice for most Columbia residents.

Is fiber internet available in Columbia, SC?

Indeed it is. Cola residents can get fiber internet from AT&T with speeds up to 5,000Mbps. Some residents may also have access to CarolinaConnect‘s fiber-optic network, featuring speeds up to a gig.

Should I choose AT&T or Spectrum?

Most Columbia residents will have access to internet options from Spectrum, whereas, fiber coverage from AT&T is limited. For a full breakdown of the differences between AT&T and Spectrum, check out our guide that pits them against each other. But the TL;DR is that since Cola can get on AT&T’s fiber plans, those are the better options.

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Sci-Tech

Chris Evans Breaks Down Surprise Marvel Return

Published

12 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Gordon Jackson

Marvel may always want you to keep spoilers from flying whenever one of their new movies drops, but they can’t stop themselves–or their own stars–from doing it by talking to the press.

If you’ve already seen Deadpool and Wolverine, you’ll know by now Chris Evans makes a cameo: not as the geriatric Captain America of Endgame, but as Johnny “The Human Torch” Storm from the 2005 Fantastic Four movie. Surprise!

While the actor is rumored to have renewed his contract with Disney to return in future MCUs projects as Captain America, he apparently still could’ve legally wriggled out of a Johnny Storm cameo. However, as Entertainment Weekly describes, his friendship with Ryan Reynolds made agreeing to do so an easy decision. “I was so excited. Ryan’s a buddy. He just shot me a text saying, ‘Listen, might be a long shot, but would you have any interest in reprising something from 20 years ago?’ I said, ‘Oh my God! Of course,’” Evans said, after making a surprise appearance alongside several other cameo stars from the movie at Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine Celebration of Life panel at San Diego Comic-Con. “Honestly, Ryan might be the only guy that I would’ve done it for because he’s just got the Midas touch. His self-awareness makes him almost invincible. He makes the joke before the audience gets a chance to make the joke, so if you’re going to revisit a character and you have to find a way to make it work, Ryan’s humor makes just about everything work, so you feel an automatic sense of safety.”

As for the scene in question, Deadpool and Wolverine meet Johnny in “The Void,” a location where discarded incarnations of various Marvel characters are put on ice before being deleted from existence, permanently. At first, Deadpool believes he’s come across the legendary Captain America, only to discover its the fabled Human Torch, instead. The cameo was “real quick” and “pretty easy,” according to Evans. “I just had to fly in real quick, do a couple days of filming, and fly out. For me, it was pretty easy. Primarily because where we find Johnny, he’s meant to be a little more rundown, so the costume didn’t have to be pristine. Those first two movies, that’s when Marvel was really still trying to find their footing. So everything had to be very precise and had a lot of meetings, a lot of opinions. This was a little more like, ‘Yeah, we know it. We’ve seen it.’”

Still, it was nice to see the Marvel star, now better known for playing a marquee Avenger, back in action as his earlier character. Just in time, before the character regenerates into Joseph Quinn in the Marvel’s upcoming reboot! Did you enjoy Evans’ cameo, or were you (like myself) more excited by the return of Kelly Hu’s Lady Deathstrike and her blink-and-you’ll-miss it battle with Wesley Snipe’s Blade? Now that‘s cinema.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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