China’s AI Strategy: Encircling the Cities From the Countryside — by Di Dongsheng

"In the early stages of this competition, we should employ all available tools—state subsidies, financial support, diplomatic pressure—to encourage as many countries as possible to adopt Chinese AI."

Today’s edition opens with an introduction by my former colleague Rebecca Arcesati, Lead Analyst in the Science, Technology and Innovation programme at the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS). In particular, her research examines China’s AI and data strategies, EU–China innovation relations and US–China tech competition. Much of her work can be found here. I’m delighted to have her insights included in this issue. — Thomas

There is much to unpack in Di Dongsheng’s essay. The author alternates cautious optimism about the development trajectory of China’s AI industry, which he sees as more resilient compared to that of US AI companies, with some gloomier views of the fate of socioeconomic systems and humanity at large in a world disrupted by AI technologies.

In the United States, a messianic pursuit of superintelligence has come to be the dominant paradigm – a costly and risky bet with unclear returns. The Chinese leadership so far seems to favour a more pragmatic approach that …