The history of industrial revolutions has often been defined by the race between nations to gain economic and technological dominance. While the West have frequently emerged as front runners in these battles, China has lagged behind and suffered the consequences of this delay. However, the leaders in Beijing are now determined not to be caught in the lurch again, particularly in the era of artificial intelligence (AI).
Given China’s past experiences, it is no surprise that its leaders now view the AI revolution as a prime opportunity to stake out their place on the world stage. In previous industrial revolutions, China has often been dominated by Western nations, which have controlled the underlying technologies and set the pace of global economic growth. This has led to China being viewed as a secondary player in international affairs, and a country with little influence or control over its own economic destiny.
In contrast, the leaders in Beijing today see the AI era as a chance to assert their country’s global dominance. They are determined to become a force to be reckoned with by driving innovation and skewing the global balance of power in their favor. This was evident from the outset, with China’s 2017 New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan, which aimed to catapult China to the forefront of the AI industry within just a few years. The plan identified three critical areas of AI technology, which included perception, natural language processing, and deep learning.
China’s government has also invested heavily in massive research initiatives and provided ample funding for entrepreneurs. This level of support has helped lead to the creation of some of the most innovative AI technologies and applications available in today’s market. This push for innovation in AI has also served as a rallying cry for entrepreneurs, investors, and even everyday citizens, who understand the potential of this technology to change the world.
As China continues to take a leading role in the development of AI and other cutting-edge technologies, the country’s leaders are determined not to suffer the humiliation of past industrial revolutions. They aim to challenge Western dominance and to help create a new global order — one in which China is a preeminent player. Whether or not they will succeed remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that Beijing’s focus on AI technology will have far-reaching and transformative effects.
Transformation! 