I think that’s probably the main driver.
I’m not an expert, but I do enjoy following along with the debates and discussions around the topic. Speaking about AI generally, When it comes to the ethos of those developing these technologies, there’s also a very prevalent undercurrent within that community of belief in:
1. Whoever (companies, countries, cultures) gets it first will be at a massive and perhaps exponential advantage to those who don’t, and not being first might be the end.
2. Though the ride will be bumpy, this type of technology is really our only hope for overcoming how much of a damn mess humans are.
3. Many of the folks developing this very much view themselves as pioneers of the inevitable.
Personally, I don’t buy any of those arguments, but I do see apologists for where we are headed making them.