AI Dreams and Authoritarian Nightmares

Abstract

IN JULY 2017, the State Council of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) announced its ambitious plan to lead the world in the development and application of artificial intelligence (AI). China aims to become the global centre for AI innovation by 2030. Government agencies have released five strategic papers in recent years articulating how AI will profoundly change human society and stressing the importance of harnessing its potential.¹ 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