China’s AI ecosystem is deeply intertwined with its national development goals, focusing on becoming a world leader in AI by 2030. The Chinese government emphasizes AI's role in economic growth, national security, and social stability. Key to China’s AI governance is its centralized control over data, with policies that support mass data collection, particularly for applications in surveillance, smart cities, and social credit systems. The country’s "Next Generation AI Development Plan" demonstrates an aggressive push for AI integration in sectors ranging from manufacturing and healthcare to defense and education.

 

Ethical concerns, particularly privacy and transparency, have been criticized. The governance of AI in China prioritizes state-driven use cases, creating a dichotomy between innovation and control. Compared to Western AI frameworks, China's policies are less transparent and focus more on maintaining national security and social harmony than ethical considerations. China’s AI development is also tightly integrated with its broader geopolitical ambitions, seeking to project influence in AI standard-setting globally.​

​

Scores for AI Policy Spectrum

​

Ethics (3/5): Ethical concerns are rising, especially around surveillance and government use of AI.

​

AI Safety (4/5): Major investments in AI safety, particularly in autonomous systems and healthcare, but limited oversight.

​

Transparency (3/5): Public access to AI policy information is limited compared to other nations.

​

Data Privacy (2/5): Low levels of data privacy, with concerns about government overreach and surveillance.

​

Innovation (4/5): A global AI leader, with massive investments in AI research and applications.

​​

Total Score: 16/25

​

Relevant Resources:

• China’s AI Regulations and How They Get Made

• China: AI Governance Principles 

• AI Governance in China: Strategies, Initiatives, and Key Considerations