China invests up to US$138 billion in AI in bid to surpass US in technology
DeepSeek, the groundbreaking Chinese chatbot, was merely an early glimpse of major ambition
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LIFESTYLE Technology
The United States and China are intensely competing for domination in the development of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly of artificial general intelligence (AGI)—or, in other words, smarter-than-human artificial intelligence. Despite regulatory challenges, among others, China continues to steadily progress, leaving the United States scrambling in their attempt to keep up, often relying on inadequate attempts to restrict supply chains.
China is embracing AI in its quest to become a tech superpower by 2030, with DeepSeek—the groundbreaking chatbot that captured global attention in January—serving as an early glimpse of that ambition.
AI investment is surging, driving competition among 4,500 firms. Beijing schools will introduce AI courses this year, and universities are expanding AI programs. A key factor behind China’s engineering success is its young people. In 2020, over 3.5 million students graduated in science, technology, engineering and math, known as STEM degrees, and the country is eager to capitalize on this.
AI funding received another boost at China's annual political meeting, revealing a state-backed fund aimed at supporting AI and other technological innovations, projecting that it will attract almost US$138 billion (1 trillion yuan) in capital over the next 20 years from both local governments and the private sector.
In addition to tariff wars, battles for access to materials, and other measures, what else is at risk? Experts worry AI safety is being sacrificed in the confrontation between the nations.
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