Janice R. Andrews
In a surprise turn of events, the global struggle for AI dominance has taken a new turn as China and the United States pursue different paths. While Beijing had set an ambitious aim of leading the world in AI by 2030, the introduction of ChatGPT, a chatbot built by US-based OpenAI, has substantially changed the landscape.
The emergence of ChatGPT drew attention in China throughout 2023, stirring conversations on social media platforms. Despite China’s decade-long focus on AI and quick application in a variety of areas following the COVID-19 outbreak, ChatGPT provided a significant hurdle.
China had delays in releasing its own version to ChatGPT, with models appearing to lag behind their Western counterparts. Some ascribed the lag to Chinese IT entrepreneurs’ emphasis on quick applications over time-consuming research and development. Others highlighted the complexities of language model training in China.
However, a general agreement arose that political sensitivities and China’s highly controlled online environment created considerable obstacles. In response, Chinese authorities issued guidelines for generative AI in the summer of 2023, requiring compatibility with “core values of socialism” and prohibiting content that threatens state power.
Despite Chinese IT companies’ efforts to develop chatbots, they struggled to compete with ChatGPT, which is still unavailable in mainland China due to state-imposed restrictions. The stringent limitations even resulted in rapid shutdowns when asking specific inquiries on platforms such as Baidu’s Ernie chatbot.
In the autumn of 2023, shares of the Chinese AI company iFlytek fell after one of its AI tablets generated an essay critical of Mao Zedong, resulting in penalties for the company’s employees. This episode acted as a warning to other players in the field to comply with China’s rigorous online legislation.
However, the data indicates that China’s AI revolution is not losing steam. AI advancements continue to pervade all levels of Chinese culture, influencing fields such as social media, live streaming, and e-commerce. Deepfake influencers driven by AI have gained popularity, creating new potential for small businesses.
Baidu’s ambitious ambition to improve rural economic growth through virtual livestreamers for farmers exemplifies the continuous integration of AI into numerous industries. Furthermore, Chinese officials work with internet businesses to make Communist Party messages more palatable, even creating virtual presenters.
Despite ChatGPT’s success, the research emphasizes the importance of shifting the attention away from the imagined “AI race” between the West and China. The two areas take distinct methods, with China emphasizing a balance of economic growth and political stability, whilst the West values individuality, personal liberty, decentralization, and globalization.
The divergent trajectories of the eagle and dragon in their AI endeavors illustrate the importance of transcending beyond competitive thinking and geopolitical consequences. As AI advances, there is much to learn from one another’s techniques, encouraging collaboration rather than rivalry.
