China has set its sights on becoming a world leader in artificial intelligence (AI) by 2030, launching a series of ambitious policies and initiatives since 2013. The cornerstone of this effort is the New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan (AIDP), issued by the State Council in 2017. This comprehensive strategy outlines China's vision for AI integration across various sectors, including defense and social welfare.
Key initiatives include:
- The "Made in China 2025" initiative, aimed at transforming China into a high-tech production hub
- The Internet + Action plan, focusing on integrating the internet into all aspects of the economy and society
- The 13th 5-year plan, which identified AI as a critical area for developing emerging industries
To drive innovation, the Chinese government has enlisted tech giants Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent, offering them preferential treatment in return for developing specific AI sectors.
Recognising the need for ethical guidelines, China has taken steps to establish norms for AI development and use:
- The Ministry of Science and Technology published the New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Code of Ethics
- The Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence released the Beijing AI Principles
- The National New Generation Artificial Intelligence Governance Expert Committee prepared Governance Principles for Developing Responsible Artificial Intelligence
These initiatives emphasise principles such as improving human well-being, promoting fairness, protecting privacy, and ensuring AI controllability and trustworthiness.
China has also begun implementing a comprehensive set of AI regulations:
- The Provisions on the Management of Algorithmic Recommendations in Internet Information Services (March 2022)
- New regulations on deepfake content (January 2023)
- The Provisional Administrative Measures of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services (August 2023)
China has introduced major data protection laws, including the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) and the Data Security Law (DSL). While these laws provide more protection against unwanted data collection by private companies, concerns remain about government access to personal data for security purposes.
The use of facial recognition technology has sparked particular controversy. While the Supreme People's Court has issued provisions on the use of facial recognition in civil cases, reports of its deployment for mass surveillance, especially against ethnic minorities, have raised alarm among human rights advocates.
China sees AI as a tool for improving social governance and public health. Applications include:
- Smart city development
- Healthcare reform
- Environmental protection
- Administration of justice
- Social Credit System
During the COVID-19 pandemic, China utilised AI for tracking infected individuals, medical imaging, and facilitating business operations.
China is actively pursuing AI applications in the military domain, with the AIDP explicitly linking AI development to national security. However, in international forums, China has expressed support for balancing security needs with humanitarian concerns in the use of autonomous weapons systems.
In October 2023, China proposed a Global AI Governance Initiative, calling for international cooperation while maintaining the need to respect national sovereignty and avoid technological monopolies. China has also participated in international efforts such as the AI Safety Summit and endorsed the Bletchley Declaration.
This country report is our interpretation and summary of the "CAIDP Artificial Intelligence & Democratic Values Index 2023". The full report can be found here - https://www.caidp.org/reports/aidv-2023/