Beijing, China – FBI Director Christopher Wray warned on Thursday that China’s artificial intelligence (AI) program poses a “national security threat” to the United States.
Wray, who was speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, said that China is investing heavily in AI and that the program could be used to “disrupt our economy, steal our intellectual property, and compromise our critical infrastructure.”
“China’s AI ambitions are not constrained by the rule of law,” Wray said. “They’re willing to use every tool at their disposal, including theft and deception, to get ahead.”
Wray cited a number of examples of China’s AI-related activities that he said are of concern to the FBI. These include:
- China’s use of AI to develop facial recognition technology that is being used to track and control its citizens.
- China’s use of AI to develop autonomous weapons systems that could pose a threat to the United States and its allies.
- China’s use of AI to steal intellectual property from American companies.
Wray said that the FBI is working to counter the Chinese AI threat, but that more needs to be done. He called on the United States to invest more in AI research and development and to work with allies to develop international standards for the responsible use of AI.
“The United States must wake up to this challenge,” Wray said. “We must invest in our own AI research and development, and we must work with our allies to develop international standards for the responsible use of AI.”
Wray’s warning comes at a time when China is rapidly becoming a global leader in AI. In 2022, China published its first set of AI governance rules, which are designed to ensure that AI is used in a responsible and ethical manner. However, some experts have expressed concerns that the rules are not strong enough and that China could use AI for malicious purposes.
The United States is also investing heavily in AI, but it is not clear that the country is doing enough to counter the Chinese threat. In 2022, the U.S. government announced a new plan to invest $2 trillion in AI over the next decade. However, some experts have argued that the plan does not go far enough and that the United States needs to do more to protect its national security from the Chinese AI threat.
The debate over China’s AI program is likely to continue in the years to come. However, there is no doubt that AI is a powerful technology that could have a significant impact on the world. It is important for the United States and its allies to work together to ensure that AI is used for good, and not for evil.
In addition to the concerns raised by Wray, there are a number of other potential risks associated with China’s AI program. These include:
- The use of AI to develop deepfakes that could be used to spread disinformation or propaganda.
- The use of AI to develop autonomous weapons systems that could operate without human intervention.
- The use of AI to collect and analyze personal data, which could be used to track and control individuals.
These are just some of the potential risks associated with China’s AI program. It is important to be aware of these risks and to take steps to mitigate them. The United States and its allies need to work together to ensure that AI is used for good, and not for evil.