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Compute (AI Capabilities)

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Page Type:AI Transition ModelStyle Guide β†’Structured factor/scenario/parameter page
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LLM Summary:This page contains only React component imports with no actual content about compute capabilities or their role in AI risk. It is a technical stub awaiting data population.
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Compute refers to the hardware resources required to train and run AI systems, including GPUs, TPUs, and specialized AI accelerators. The current generation of frontier AI models requires extraordinary amounts of computational powerβ€”training runs cost tens to hundreds of millions of dollars in compute alone. The significance of compute for AI governance stems from several unique properties: it is measurable (training runs can be quantified in FLOPs), concentrated (the global semiconductor supply chain depends on chokepoints like ASML, TSMC, and NVIDIA), and physical (unlike algorithms that can be copied infinitely, hardware must be manufactured and shipped).


Current Assessment

Level
35/100
Trend
↓declining
Confidence
70%
Compute concentration increasing; export controls having effect but circumvention growing
Last updated: 2026-01
MetricScoreInterpretation
Changeability30/100Very difficult to influence
X-risk Impact70/100High direct x-risk impact
Trajectory Impact80/100High long-term effects
Uncertainty35/100Moderate uncertainty

What Drives Effective AI Compute?

Causal factors affecting frontier AI training compute. Note: This forms a cycleβ€”AI capabilities drive revenue, which funds more computeβ€”but feedback loops are omitted for clarity.

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Computing layout...
Legend
Node Types
Root Causes
Derived
Direct Factors
Target
Arrow Strength
Strong
Medium
Weak

Warning Indicators

IndicatorStatusTrendConcern
Training run costs$100M+ for frontier models↓medium
Chip concentrationTSMC produces 90%+ advanced chips→high
Export control effectivenessSignificant circumvention observed↓high

Addressed By

InterventionEffectStrength
Compute Governance↑ positive●●●
Export Controls↑ positive●●○

Scenarios Influenced

ScenarioEffectStrength
AI Takeover↑ Increasesstrong
Human-Caused Catastrophe↑ Increasesmedium
Long-term Lock-in↑ Increasesmedium