Chinese scientists plan to create artificial intelligence that will surpass human abilities

The Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) analytical center has announced that between 2018 and 2022, Chinese researchers published 850 articles on general-purpose artificial intelligence (AGI). Researchers believe that this is evidence of Beijing’s activity in creating a «thinking machine,» including research on brain-computer interfaces.

According to a recent report by analysts, China’s efforts in this area «run counter to emerging global norms that emphasize the need for a serious open source monitoring program to serve as a basis for mitigating the fatal consequences of AI.»

The report is based on an analysis of scientific papers covering a range of relevant technologies. It identified 500 scientific papers related to AI applications, as well as a substantial amount of research on previous AGI technologies.

AGI is a synthetic intelligence that works in a wide range of tasks and can reach a state of self-awareness. In the long run, general artificial intelligence (AGI) may endow machines with non-algorithmic abilities, such as reasoning, wisdom, etc. In other words, something that is inherent only in humans. Ethical scientists from all over the world are sounding the alarm that this development is unacceptable, as it will lead to the most fatal consequences for the world (ed. note).

For the first time, China announced its ambitions in the field of AGI in 2017, when Chinese officials published the document «Plan for the Development of a New Generation of Artificial Intelligence.» One of the goals of the document was to establish China’s leading position in the field of AI. The CSET report confirms the successful promotion of this plan in real time.

It is noted that the main research efforts in the field of AGI are concentrated in Beijing universities. However, this does not exclude the possibility of scientific breakthroughs in other regions of the country. In particular, the city of Wuhan is mentioned as a potential center for AGI development and testing.

The authors of the report express concern that the international community may underestimate China’s progress in the AI industry due to the lack of transparency and openness of scientific research. In turn, this could lead to misunderstandings and unreasonable political decisions and, as a result, new global conflicts — political, social, and even military.

In the conclusion of the report, CSET analysts recommend that American policymakers take into account that China is a competitor of the United States. Beijing is aware of the strategic importance of AGI and the importance of the initial development of this technology. Experts emphasize that now, more than ever, it is important to avoid unilateral restrictions or trust agreements between the United States and China, as they may pose risks of a new arms race. This time, it is AI.

Earlier, scientists have already emphasized that China can create AI that will destroy humanity. «Artificial intelligence is a real threat to humanity, but it will become an even greater threat if China gets hold of it before the United States,» Chinese scholar Gordon Chang once emphasized. — «We already see telling examples, such as the development of technologies for editing human genes. China is rushing ahead in this, while we are limiting our developments,» the expert emphasized.