Artificial Intelligence with Chinese Characteristics: National Strategy, Security and Authoritarian Governance

This book provides the first book-length study focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Chinese characteristics, arguing that China's AI approach is sophisticated and multifaceted, bringing about both benefits and challenges. It suggests that a more accurate understanding of AI with Chinese characteristics is essential to inform the debate regarding what lessons can be learnt from China's AI approach and how to respond to its rise as the AI leader.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 125 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2022
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This book is a comprehensive exploration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Chinese characteristics, aligning with China's ambitious goal of becoming an AI superpower by 2030. China's unique domestic politics have given rise to distinct features in its AI approach, making it a sophisticated and multifaceted endeavor. This book argues that China's AI strategy has brought about significant benefits as well as challenges.

Firstly, it challenges the notion that China's AI approach is solely a nationally concerted top-down geopolitical strategy aimed at advancing Beijing's unified objective. Instead, the book reveals that economically motivated domestic stakeholders play a significant role in shaping China's AI politics. Moreover, China's national AI plan is an upgrade of existing local AI initiatives, reflecting a bottom-up development approach. Thus, China's AI strategy is more of a political manifesto than a concrete policy plan.

In the second part of the book, the author delves into how the Chinese central government has been securitizing AI to mobilize local states, market actors, intellectuals, and the general public. This security discourse is built on China's historical anxieties about technology, regime security needs, and the growing tension caused by great power competition. While securitization has helped convince domestic actors, it may undermine key AI objectives.

The third part of the book examines China's governance approach to the use of AI. It argues that China's bold AI practices are part of its broad and incoherent adaptation strategy to governance by digital means. AI is seen as a component of a digital technology package that includes other technologies such as big data, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things.

Overall, this book provides valuable insights into China's AI strategy, highlighting its complexities and the challenges it faces in achieving its ambitious goals. It sheds light on the role of domestic stakeholders, the securitization efforts of the central government, and the governance approach to AI in China. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the evolving landscape of AI in China and its global implications.

Weight: 193g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811907210
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022