China has implemented stricter censorship and surveillance measures to control the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies within its borders. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is requiring all AI companies to participate in a government review process to ensure that their large language models (LLMs) align with the party’s ideological values. This move is part of China’s broader efforts to regulate the content being produced by AI systems and maintain control over the narrative within its population.
In addition to censoring information on the internet through its “Great Firewall,” China is now extending its censorship practices to AI technologies. AI companies like ByteDance, Moonshot, and 01.AI are developing chatbot systems that collect sensitive keywords and block information related to banned topics, such as human rights violations. The Chinese Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) is mandating that LLMs should not reject more than 5% of all questions, leading developers to create blanket answers deemed politically correct to control responses. This level of control over AI-generated content reflects China’s commitment to shaping the information available to its citizens.
Expert Arthur Herman warns that China’s efforts to control the narrative through AI technologies pose a threat not only within its borders but also globally. Chinese social media platforms like WeChat and TikTok have become popular in the global south, providing China with a platform to spread its propaganda and influence beyond its borders. Herman notes that Chinese engineers have developed highly addictive social media platforms geared towards brainwashing users to see the world in a certain way. This strategy extends beyond surveillance cameras and government-inspired propaganda to subtly manipulate people’s thoughts and perceptions through AI applications.
Herman emphasizes that China’s use of TikTok and other AI technologies is just a preview of how Beijing can manipulate populations on a larger scale. China views AI as a tool to change people’s minds and enhance brainwashing and mind control applications. Through subtle interactions in daily life, individuals can be influenced to see the world in a manner aligned with the Communist Party’s interests. This manipulation extends to internet platforms accessible globally, emphasizing China’s ambition to control narratives not just domestically but on a global scale.
China’s control over AI technology extends to both censorship and surveillance, with AI companies required to comply with government regulations to align with the CCP’s ideological values. The implementation of blanket answers to control responses for sensitive topics reflects China’s commitment to shaping the narrative within its population. The use of AI technology as a tool for social control and manipulation poses a threat not only within China but also globally, as Chinese platforms like TikTok reach audiences beyond its borders. This highlights the broader implications of AI technology and the potential for manipulation and brainwashing on a global scale.
