Abstracts

In pursuit of (soft) power: Chinese artificial intelligence governance in an age of great power competition

by Kayla Blomquist

The 2017 New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan outlined the People’s Republic of China’s aims to become the world leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) by 2030 and create a global example of an AI-powered & governed society. Much analysis of PRC AI strategy since has focused on how these goals build domestic and international influence to enhance China’s hard power capabilities. This work asks instead: How does China’s approach to soft power manifest in its efforts to become an AI superpower? Through studying Chinese national-level AI policies and subsequent overseas state messaging via directed content analysis, I found that U.S. understandings of PRC AI strategy are flawed due to their overpowering focus on its hard power implications. The Chinese model of AI governance may have more draw through soft power than previously recognized. I further argue that a full understanding of the PRC’s AI strategy requires more study of how soft power considerations influence that policy. Strong parallels exist between China’s conception of soft power and its broader AI strategy, both of which emphasize the construction of a strong domestic foundation upon which global influence can be built. China’s emphasis not just on the governance of AI (the act of regulating AI or dictating its use), but also the governance through AI (the eployment of AI in society to aid in the act of governing) allows for the construction of a potentially comprehensive and example-setting model. This study can inform future studies of Chinese soft power and global AI governance norms. It also calls for U.S. policy actors to place more emphasis on revitalizing the domestic U.S. democratic model through AI, rather than framing key AI policies as direct competitive responses to the “China threat.”