Observers of high-level diplomatic engagements and international conferences can discern a prevailing theme: artificial intelligence has emerged as a paramount instrument in the ongoing power struggle and exertion of influence in the twenty-first century. Within Western discourse, apprehension regarding China's rapid AI advancements has grown palpable. Some Western analysts assert that China has unequivocally assumed a global leadership position in this domain, potentially sustaining it for years, if not decades, to come. Nonetheless, skeptics challenge this assertion and identify avenues for the US to impede China's aspirations in this regard.
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Western anxieties have been mounting ever since China unveiled its Made in China 2025 strategy in May 2015, a blueprint explicitly designed to bolster its competitiveness within technological industries.
The announcement of this plan elicited profound unease within the US, a nation that had hitherto enjoyed unrivaled dominance in the technology sector. The US viewed it as a deliberate endeavor by Beijing to abscond with its scientific breakthroughs, and advancements, with the ultimate objective of wresting control over this pivotal strategic field that wields considerable influence over the unfolding power dynamics in the emerging global order.
Pursuant to this blueprint, China aspires to curtail its dependence on foreign technology, aiming to raise the share of homegrown components to a staggering 70% by 2025. The primary sectors targeted are artificial intelligence, robotics, space exploration, aviation, autonomous vehicles, energy, and defense. These arenas form the bedrock from which the protracted trade conflicts with the US have emanated, a saga that first unfolded during the tenure of former President Donald Trump.
Notably, there has been a discernible tightening of regulations pertaining to the acquisition of American technology companies by Chinese or China-linked foreign investors. These measures constitute a vital component of the US' unyielding bids to forestall the transfer of American technological prowess to China.
The unease surrounding the ramifications of the Made in China 2025 strategy primarily comes from China's remarkable ascent in low-cost industries over the preceding two decades. China has turned into the world's manufacturing hub, and the interdependence of nations on its industrial might became strikingly apparent during the worldwide lockdown crisis induced by the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Artificial intelligence has assumed a prominent position on the agenda of the G7 Summit, a gathering of industrialized nations, with the US spearheading a resolute campaign to curtail China's access to this pivotal technology. This objective is pursued through the disruption of crucial supply chains, most notably in semiconductor chips, which serve as a linchpin triggering the US' hardened stance on the Taiwan issue. Taiwan assumes a commanding position in this critical industry, reigning as the epicenter of major semiconductor corporations and computer chip manufacturers on a global scale.
The importance of this strategic sector intertwines with a nation's military potency and economic robustness, given its remarkable economic dividends. Moreover, it is intricately linked to the technological autonomy of nations in the twenty-first century. Notably, certain countries, Japan being a prime example, perceive the semiconductor industry as a "national imperative" tantamount to the imperatives of food security and energy autonomy. Consequently, it comes as no surprise that experts contend that the outcomes of the escalating tussle between Shenzhen and Silicon Valley will profoundly shape the norms governing the emerging global order.
One facet underscoring the import of AI lies in its imminent prominence as a business cornerstone in the forthcoming decades.
A comprehensive analysis released by Goldman Sachs has underscored the potential of artificial intelligence to supplant a staggering 300 million full-time jobs in the foreseeable future. This seismic transformation entails the automation of specific tasks and occupations across the globe. The report further contends that AI technologies will undertake a quarter of the workforce in the US and Europe, shedding light on one facet of its profound significance.
However, its true gravity lies in its intersection with military domains, as well as the ethical and humanitarian implications inherent in this paradigm shift. Artificial intelligence permeates diverse aspects of human existence and assumes a pivotal role in reshaping the global order while influencing governance systems in accordance with the advancements in this field. This is one sphere that has captured China's resolute focus in the present era.
The intensifying competition between China and the US in artificial intelligence stands as a tangible manifestation of the power struggle for primacy and dominion in a post-Ukraine geopolitical landscape. While certain Western scientists maintain reservations about China's relative lag in specific facets of artificial intelligence, the rapid strides made by China in its quest for leadership warrant attention.
Indicators suggest that China currently ranks as the world's second-largest spender on research and development, trailing only the US. Chinese academic institutions produce the highest number of engineering doctorate recipients, and in 2017, Chinese researchers outpaced their American counterparts in terms of the volume of scientific papers published. Although some attribute these achievements to China's sheer population size, a legitimate quantitative factor, they also carry nuanced qualitative implications worthy of consideration.
By 2019, China had successfully established a staggering count of 1,189 AI enterprises, cementing its status as the second most prominent nation in this area, second only to the US, which boasts a formidable presence with over two thousand active companies dedicated to artificial intelligence.
Consequently, China emerges as the sole nation fervently pursuing Western, particularly American, dominance in future sectors, with AI standing out prominently. This reality serves as a cause for concern within Western circles, as China commands the largest consumer base globally, endowing it with a key advantage in driving advancements within this industry. Chinese companies actively penetrate markets, capitalizing on a receptive consumer demographic eager for AI services. This confluence of factors bolsters the prospects for technological breakthroughs and augments China's global competitiveness in this field.
The comprehensive rationale behind these developments can be attributed to the overarching blueprint of the Made in China 2025 strategy. This framework squarely focuses on propelling China's transformation into a preeminent tech power by the stipulated target year, marking a pivotal shift from low-value-added manufacturing to an innovation-driven economy.
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