AI Dreams and Authoritarian Nightmares

Abstract

China's ministries, local authorities, companies, and the scientific and academic communities are underwriting its AI ambitions through extensive financing and political support. Meanwhile, state media is helping popularise AI in the public consciousness, linking it to China's continued prosperity and modernisation. Citizens are starting to see the benefits of AI throughout the economy, from smart devices and robots that provide daily conveniences to autonomous vehicle trials easing congestion in major cities. Unsurprisingly, the Chinese are more optimistic than other nationalities about the potential for AI to do good. 2 They also appear to be confident in China's AI capabilities, with fifty-five percent believing they are already leading or leapfrogging ahead of other countries in AI development. 3