In a race to attain the most advanced forms of artificial intelligence while maintaining control over more than a billion people, elite Chinese scientists and their government have turned to an intriguing source for inspiration—the human brain.
One of their many ambitious endeavors is the creation of a “city brain” designed to enhance the core computers of “smart cities” across China. These smart cities are already brimming with sensors, cameras, and devices that monitor everything from traffic to human faces and even detect “gathering fights.” This new “brain” will be equipped with surveillance and visual processing capabilities modeled on human vision, promising improved efficiency, reduced energy consumption, and, they claim, better governance.
Gao Wen, a leading artificial intelligence researcher, refers to this endeavor as “bionic retina computing,” as detailed in his paper “City Brain: Challenges and Solution.”
But this is about more than just expanding surveillance—it’s a clear indication of China’s determination to win the race for artificial general intelligence (AGI). AGI is the next leap in AI development, far beyond the capabilities of large language models like ChatGPT or Bard that have already made a significant impact on society.
AGI is often likened to the “atomic bomb” of the information field and the ultimate game-changer in the ongoing competition between China and the United States. Zhu Songchun, another prominent Chinese AI scientist, emphasized the need to develop AGI with the same urgency as China’s past efforts in nuclear technology and space exploration. He envisions forming an AI “ace army” that embodies the nation’s will.
China has set a clear goal to lead the world in AI by 2030, as outlined in the official “China Brain Project” initiated in 2016. AI and brain science are two of the “frontier fields” listed in the country’s 15-year national science plan running from 2021 to 2035.
What sets AGI apart from current “narrow AI” systems is its ability to not only perform tasks but also to think and learn autonomously, potentially surpassing human capabilities in various domains.
While U.S. scientists are also pursuing AGI, China’s commitment stands out with substantial state funding flowing into dedicated research institutes, a sharp contrast to the scattered efforts in the West.
AI doyen Geoffrey Hinton has even revised his estimate for when AGI might become a reality, suggesting it could be achieved in as little as five years, posing questions about how to control it effectively.
However, there’s a stark contrast in the public debate surrounding AI and AGI between the West and China. Concerns about the safety and ethical implications of AI development are fervently discussed in Western AI labs, with calls for pauses and safeguards. In contrast, China’s focus remains primarily on political risks, as evidenced by a new law introduced in August that emphasizes adherence to socialist core values in AI development.
As China charges forward in the race for AGI, the world watches with a mix of anticipation and trepidation, mindful of the potential global consequences of this pursuit.