Artificial Intelligence with Chinese Characteristics

This book provides the first book-lengthy study focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Chinese characteristics, in line with Chinas open ambition of becoming an AI superpower by 2030. Chinas unique domestic politics has developed distinct characteristics for its AI approach. By analysing national strategy, security and governance aspects of AI in China, this book argues that Chinas AI approach is sophisticated and multifaceted, and it has brought about both considerable benefits and challenges to China. First, many characterize Chinas AI approach as a nationally concerted top-down geopolitical strategy to advance Beijings unified objective. This book argues that this view is mistaken. It shows that Chinas AI politics is largely shaped by economically rather than geopolitically motivated domestic stakeholders. In addition, Chinas national AI plan is an upgrade of existing local AI initiatives to the national level, reflecting a bottom-up development.Thus, Chinas AI strategy is more of a political manifesto rather than a concrete policy plan. The second part of the book discusses how the Chinese central government has been securitizing AI in order to mobilize local states, market actors, intellectuals and the general public. This security discourse is built on Chinas historical anxieties about technology, regime security needs and the growing tension caused by great power competition. Despite its help in convincing domestic actors, however, this securitization trend may undermine key AI objectives. The third part of the book studies the Chinese governance approach to the use of AI. It argues that Chinas bold AI practices are part of its broad and incoherent adaptation strategy to governance by digital means. AI is part of a digital technology package that the Chinese authoritarian regime has actively employed not only to improve public services but also to strengthen its authoritarian governance. While Chinas AI progress benefits from its unique political and social environment, its ambitious AI plan contains considerable risks. Chinas approach is gambling on its success in (a) delivering a booming AI economy, (b) ensuring a smooth social transformation to the age of AI, and (c) proving ideological superiority of its authoritarian and communist values. This book suggests that a more accurate understanding of AI with Chinese characteristics is essential in order to inform the debate regarding what lessons can be learnt from Chinas AI approach and how to respond to Chinas rise as the AI leader if not superpower.