The Geopolitical and Ethical Risks of China’s Export of AI Technology
The Geopolitical and Ethical Risks of China’s Export of AI Technology
Author: Dean Bordode
Collaborators: Perplexity AI, Pi.ai, Gemini, and ChatGPT
Date: December 2024
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About the Author
Dean Bordode is a seasoned human rights activist and advocate for social justice, driven by a deep commitment to the rights and dignity of every individual. With a strong focus on issues of equality, political freedom, and ethical technology, Dean has dedicated much of his career to advancing human rights both locally and globally. His work is informed by a profound belief in the value of empowerment through education, compassion, and public advocacy, particularly for marginalized communities including LGBTQIA individuals, disabled persons, and women.
Dean’s efforts extend to environmental sustainability and AI ethics, where he emphasizes the need for ethical frameworks to guide technological advancements, particularly in the realms of artificial intelligence and surveillance technology. His work aims to highlight the risks posed by the global spread of authoritarian practices enabled by AI, and he continues to advocate for peace and human dignity on both a local and international stage.
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1. Introduction
China has emerged as a leading global player in Artificial Intelligence (AI), capitalizing on its vast data resources, technological advancements, and robust industrial infrastructure. The Chinese government, in line with its broader geopolitical strategies, has aggressively pursued not only AI development but also its export to authoritarian regimes and other nations. While AI holds vast potential to drive progress in diverse fields, its use for surveillance, political control, and human rights violations poses serious risks on a global scale. This report aims to analyze the geopolitical and ethical implications of China's export of AI technology, focusing on its role in undermining democratic norms, its potential to entrench authoritarianism, and the corresponding threat to global freedoms.
2. The Role of China’s AI Technology
China’s domestic surveillance system has become a central pillar of its AI-driven control mechanism. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) uses AI technology for extensive monitoring of citizens, deploying tools like facial recognition, AI-driven social media monitoring, and predictive policing. These technologies are employed to track and suppress political dissent, control public opinion, and maintain strict political conformity.
China’s ambitions extend beyond its borders through the exportation of AI technologies to other governments. This practice is particularly concerning as it helps authoritarian regimes maintain control by giving them the tools to expand surveillance over their populations. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has expanded Chinese influence in developing countries, is an example of how AI technology is integrated into broader economic and geopolitical strategies. Countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, and Sri Lanka have adopted Chinese surveillance systems, often without adequate safeguards for human rights.
Surveillance and Political Control
China’s domestic use of AI in political repression has become notorious, particularly in Xinjiang and during protests in Hong Kong. In Xinjiang, AI-powered surveillance systems monitor and control the movement of Uighur Muslims, facilitating the forced reeducation programs and cultural suppression. In Hong Kong, AI tools were used to track protestors and suppress political unrest, exemplifying the power of AI to undermine basic freedoms.
3. China’s Influence on Global Surveillance and Censorship
China’s AI exportation not only poses a direct threat to democratic freedoms but also spreads the culture of surveillance and political censorship to other nations. AI-driven censorship systems, such as Great Cannon (China’s own form of internet censorship), have been used to block information critical of the Chinese government, suppress online speech, and control the flow of information. This technology is exported to various countries that seek to impose online censorship of their own.
One of the most alarming examples of this is the Chinese-developed “Sharp Eyes” system, which enables local governments in China and abroad to track and monitor individuals through AI-powered facial recognition and video surveillance. This system enables unprecedented social control and real-time monitoring of civilians, further entrenched through Chinese-designed social credit systems.
By promoting the export of surveillance and censorship technologies, China is contributing to a global shift where authoritarian governments have access to the means to suppress freedom of expression and violate privacy at scale.
4. Undermining Democratic Norms
As China’s AI technologies proliferate globally, they present an inherent risk to democratic norms. Countries that adopt Chinese AI surveillance tools may be encouraged to adopt authoritarian practices, undermining freedom of speech, the right to privacy, and free elections. Nations in Africa and Asia, such as Uganda, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe, have embraced Chinese surveillance technologies, despite potential long-term impacts on their democratic institutions.
The social credit system is an example of China’s efforts to export not just technology, but also its vision of a totalitarian state. It’s important to note that this system tracks individual behavior and assigns scores based on political conformity, social behavior, and obedience to the state, essentially punishing individuals for actions deemed undesirable by the ruling party. As this model is promoted to other nations, it could gradually expand, eroding personal freedoms across the globe.
Furthermore, AI-driven censorship and digital repression are increasingly used during elections in countries with fragile democracies, where they influence public discourse, silence opposition, and amplify government narratives.
5. Recommendations for U.S. Response
In light of these concerns, the United States must act strategically to counterbalance China’s growing influence in AI technology and defend democratic values globally.
1. Strengthen International AI Governance Frameworks
The U.S. should work alongside international partners to establish clear global AI governance standards that prevent the misuse of AI technologies, particularly in ways that promote surveillance and authoritarianism. This includes supporting frameworks similar to the European Union’s GDPR, which offers protections against misuse of personal data and emphasizes ethical guidelines in AI design.
2. Promote Ethical AI Standards
The U.S. should champion the development of ethical AI standards that prioritize human rights, privacy, and democratic values. This would involve supporting global ethical frameworks that ensure AI technologies are used for positive social outcomes rather than for political control. The AI for Good Foundation and Partnership on AI are examples of organizations pushing for such standards, which the U.S. could back through financial and diplomatic support.
3. Bolster Investment in U.S.-Led AI Innovation
To counteract China’s influence, the U.S. should invest heavily in AI innovation, particularly in areas that emphasize transparency, ethics, and human rights. This would include backing AI developments in sectors like healthcare, education, and climate change, where AI can provide societal benefits without compromising civil liberties.
4. Diplomatic Efforts to Block Authoritarian AI Exports
The U.S. must use its diplomatic influence to counter China’s export of surveillance and censorship technologies. This can be done through trade agreements, sanctions on companies that violate human rights, and foreign policy initiatives that explicitly reject the use of Chinese surveillance systems in democratic countries.
5. Supporting Global Human Rights Initiatives in the AI Space
The U.S. should provide more robust support to human rights organizations tracking the use of AI for political oppression, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Moreover, funding AI transparency initiatives and encouraging independent audits of AI technologies deployed in non-democratic countries will help safeguard against the misuse of AI.
6. Conclusion
China’s export of AI technology presents a profound challenge to global democratic values, enabling authoritarian regimes to entrench their power and suppress individual freedoms. The United States and its allies must take a proactive stance in countering this growing threat, not only through technological innovation but also through global diplomatic efforts and a commitment to ethical AI development. By establishing global standards for AI governance, promoting ethical practices, and limiting the spread of Chinese surveillance technologies, the U.S. can help safeguard democracy in the digital age.
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References
1. “Surveillance in China and Its Global Impact,” Foreign Policy, 2023.
2. Huawei and the 5G Network: A Threat to Democracy? The Guardian, 2024.
3. Amnesty International’s Reports on AI and Human Rights, 2021.
4. “Sharp Eyes: Chinese Surveillance in Africa,” International Journal of Politics and Technology, 2022.
5. “AI and Democracy: The Global Threat of Authoritarian Technologies,” AI Ethics Review, 2023.
6. European Commission AI Regulation Framework, 2023.
7. “Social Credit Systems: A Global Threat?” Human Rights Watch, 2022.
8. Partnership on AI: Ethical AI Practices, 2023.
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