In a recent report to Congress, the Pentagon has issued a warning about China’s relentless pursuit of dominance in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The report highlights China’s goal to surpass the West in AI research and development by 2025 and become the world leader in AI by 2030.
According to the Department of Defense, China has designated AI as one of its priority areas for scientific and technological development. The country views advances in AI and autonomy as crucial for the concept of “intelligentized warfare,” which is its vision for future warfare.
The report emphasizes that China is already a global leader in certain AI applications, such as facial recognition and natural language processing. Chinese companies are actively marketing domestically-designed AI chips, showcasing the country’s progress in this field.
The Pentagon raises concerns about the potential implications of China’s AI advancements. It warns that the Chinese regime has established research centers and acquired commercially-developed AI and robotic technologies, giving the People’s Liberation Army access to cutting-edge AI capabilities.
The report also highlights the broader global implications of China’s AI ambitions. It states that nation-states seeking to undermine trust in government institutions and democratic processes are increasingly using AI to create more believable mis- and disinformation campaigns. Additionally, cyber actors are leveraging AI to develop new tools and techniques that enable larger-scale, faster, efficient, and more evasive cyber attacks.
While the U.S. government has previously expressed concerns about foreign adversaries’ use of AI, the Pentagon report signals a growing urgency to address China’s AI threat. It suggests that China’s advances in AI could provide them with a significant advantage in terms of identifying vulnerabilities in the U.S. operational system and launching precision strikes.
To counter China’s edge in AI, the U.S. is already taking steps to restrict the export of advanced AI chips to Beijing. Closing loopholes in chip export regulations is seen as a crucial move to curb China’s progress and maintain a competitive advantage in this critical technology.
As the global race for AI dominance intensifies, experts believe that the U.S. and its allies must prioritize AI research and development to safeguard national security interests. With China’s rapid advancements in AI, it is imperative that the U.S. remains vigilant and proactive in countering potential threats posed by this emerging technology.
