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Tag: AI development

Keeping the Global South in the Loop

Written by Alex Colville on . Posted in News and Trends. No Comments on Keeping the Global South in the Loop

On May 25, China and the multilateral Southeast Asian body ASEAN launched a joint initiative to boost AI in the media. Details on the initiative, unveiled at the China-ASEAN Media Cooperation Forum at Luoyang, are thin so far. The Chinese readout says it calls for Chinese and ASEAN media to boost cooperation in research and development for AI and AI capacity building, alongside mutual recognition of media standards on the topic. Chinese media giant Kuaishou spoke to representatives from countries like Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand on the company’s experiences with AI and “media innovation pathways.”

The forum is one data point in a wider strategy to boost China’s influence in the Global South through AI development. China has already cobbled together a group of nations at the UN united in their desire to build AI capacity, using the group as an advert for Chinese AI products. Xi Jinping has said AI will create a “lead-goose effect” (头雁效应) — that is, other countries following wherever the leader goes — and hopes it will pave the way for China to become that leader.

Directing AI

Written by Alex Colville on . Posted in News and Trends. No Comments on Directing AI

China’s Politburo held its second study session on artificial intelligence last week, underscoring the technology’s strategic importance. Following a lecture by Zheng Nanning (郑南宁) of Xi’an Jiaotong University, a leading Chinese expert on the engineering technology of AI and pattern recognition, Xi Jinping emphasized continued innovation in AI’s basic theories and core technologies while stressing the need to “construct a self-controlled, collaboratively operational AI foundation software and hardware system” — a call essentially for technological independence from foreign suppliers and platforms.

Provincial leaders across China swiftly demonstrated alignment with Xi’s directives through public declarations, a process often referred to as biaotai (表态). Officials in Zhejiang, Jilin, and Shandong provinces convened special meetings to implement the instructions. In Zhejiang, Party Secretary Wang Hao (王浩) echoed this directive, pledging to “seize opportunities, gather strength, raise standards, and ride the momentum to build a new computing power system and accelerate AI+ initiatives.” Quite a mouthful. Meanwhile, the Cyberspace Administration of China and other ministries issued the “2025 Key Points for Improving Digital Literacy and Skills for All”, which sought to improve digital talent training and expand the digital economy. For more on AI jobs and training, with requisite skepticism, read our recent CMP piece, “China’s AI Job Mirage.”