In 2017, in a crowded conference room in Beijing, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) A bold blueprint It was an ambitious plan to lead the world in artificial intelligence (AI), with the vision of making China a global AI powerhouse by 2030. But when OpenAI released ChatGPT in 2022, a major shift came along that caught Beijing off guard and drew global attention to a quiet AI arms race.
ChatGPT’s viral launch highlights the United States’ sudden lead in AI. successthwarted China’s carefully orchestrated rise. For an administration that tightly controls information, the rapid public display of U.S. AI capabilities was a harsh reality. But this development did not mean the end of China’s AI ambitions. Rather, it highlighted a key insight: in the technology realm, it is not novelty that matters, but mastery and strategic use of the known.
One example of this strategy is China’s latest AI initiative,Xue XiDesigned to spread the political ideology of President Xi Jinping, the chatbot “Xiaoshi” (meaning “Learn Xi Jinping”) is not just any chatbot.Xi Jinping ThoughtIt is a 14-principle doctrine aimed at consolidating the Communist Party of China’s absolute power, strengthening national security and promoting socialist values.
Developed by Tsinghua University, the chatbot uses natural language processing to engage users in discussions on governance, socialism, and national rejuvenation. Trained primarily on seven databases managed by the Cyberspace Administration of China, “Xue Xi” serves as evidence of how AI can be used to spread ideology and control society.
The chatbot is part of a broader strategy to instill ideological loyalty in the population.Learn about Xi Jinping’s powerful nationAn “AI-powered app” released in 2019 integrates quizzes and study materials on Xi Jinping’s thought, as well as mandatory classes in schools focusing on Xi Jinping’s thought. These tools represent China’s innovative approach to using AI not just for technological advancement but also to reinforce a narrative of state approval.
The development of Xueman is emblematic of a broader trend in China’s AI efforts: Rather than pushing the boundaries of innovation, Beijing is seeking to shape AI technology to fit its socio-political goals. This strategy is consistent with Xi Jinping’s broader vision of leveraging existing technologies to strengthen the Chinese Communist Party’s grip on power and reshape the flow of global information.
China’s AI efforts go beyond consumer applications: While Western companies like OpenAI are using vast open datasets to push the boundaries of what AI can achieve, Chinese tech giants like Baidu and Alibaba are focused on models designed for specific state-oriented purposes, including areas where strategic uses of technology are more valuable than cutting-edge innovation, such as strengthening surveillance capabilities, improving industrial efficiency, and strengthening ideological education.
AI could be a potential lifeline for China amid continuing economic challenges. The Chinese Communist Party envisions AI as a catalyst for economic revitalization, especially as traditional engines of growth decline. This vision is manifested in China’s AI regulations, which aim to foster innovation within controlled boundaries while ensuring that AI does not disrupt the CCP’s agenda.
The party’s regulatory framework requires that public-facing AI applications be registered and approved by the Cyberspace Administration of China, including disclosing the datasets used and tests conducted on the AI. Such measures are intended to ensure that AI development is aligned with national objectives while keeping tight control over the flow of information.
China’s AI strategy will have far-reaching implications on the global power landscape. Even if China does not overtake the United States in developing modern AI models, its applications could have a significant impact on the geopolitical situation. By integrating AI into fields such as biotechnology, industrial engineering, and national security, Beijing can export controlled AI systems to other authoritarian regimes. This will not only spread China’s model of governance, but also strengthen its influence in regions hostile to Western ideals.
In this context, the power of AI lies not in the technological novelty but in its strategic deployment. China’s approach illustrates a fundamental truth: a technology does not need to be groundbreaking to shift the balance of power, it just needs to be effectively harnessed.
China’s AI journey shows that the transformative power of technology isn’t just about cutting-edge innovation; rather, it’s about leveraging what’s already known to achieve strategic goals. Beijing’s approach, while seemingly reactive, is a testament to this principle. By adapting AI to its unique socio-political context, China may not lead the world in novelty, but through calculated, strategic use of existing tools, it is crafting a technology paradigm that can reshape global power dynamics.
As the world watches this AI race unfold, the lesson is clear: the mastery and application of known technologies can be just as disruptive and impactful as the latest advancements. For Beijing, it’s not just about having the latest technology, it’s about knowing how to make the most of it.
