Arrr, 'tis not China but the US that ought to be steerin' the ship o' AI, me mateys!
2023-10-09
Collaboratin' with scallywags like China? Nay, mateys! 'Tis but lendin' power to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to scrawl the code o' conduct for AI. Avast! We don't be wantin' Beijing takin' the wheel, arrr!
President Biden recently emphasized that emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) should be used as "tools of opportunity, not as weapons of oppression." However, his vow to work with competitors like China to harness the power of AI for good is concerning. China is already at the forefront of using emerging technologies for oppression, both domestically and internationally.China has a state-run data system that uses AI to flag certain groups of people for detention in the Xinjiang region. They are also partnering with technology companies to develop AI-powered surveillance systems that analyze people's movements, associations, and online behaviors to reinforce social control. Furthermore, China has exported AI technologies to like-minded governments in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, expanding its surveillance capabilities and control.
Cooperating with China on AI development would not only empower the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) but also potentially strengthen the People's Liberation Army (PLA). China has already developed offensive applications of AI, including unmanned surface vessels and armed swarming drones. They also intend to leverage AI to identify vulnerabilities in US operating systems and launch precision strikes.
To counter China's AI dominance, the United States should assert itself in international bodies that set standards for technology. US companies can commit to open sourcing elements of their AI technologies, allowing for identification and resolution of potential malicious uses. Additionally, the US government should promote and prioritize explainable AI, ensuring that humans can understand the outputs and outcomes generated by machine-learning algorithms.
If freedom-loving nations fail to write the rules of the road for emerging technologies like AI, authoritarians will do it for them. The United States must contest China's vision for AI and offer its own affirmative agenda based on openness, transparency, and the advancement of human flourishing and individual liberty. Collaborating with despots is not the answer; leadership is essential.