The head of Chinese intelligence has called artificial intelligence a threat to national security
The head of the Ministry of State Security of China, Chen Yixin, warned that artificial intelligence could pose a serious threat to the country's national security. According to him, foreign forces are using it in information warfare, cyberattacks, and the collection of classified information.
The head of Chinese intelligence has assessed artificial intelligence as a threat to national security
He stated that "hostile forces" are using artificial intelligence to spread political rumors and malicious information, as well as to wage a "cognitive war" against China. According to Chen, such technologies pose a direct threat to the country's political, institutional, and ideological security.
He also emphasized that critical information infrastructure is at risk due to the expanding capabilities of artificial intelligence for cyberattacks. The head of the agency noted that foreign special services are using intelligent systems for the large-scale collection of confidential information, including state data, commercial secrets, and citizens' personal data.
Chen called artificial intelligence one of the main areas of global technological competition and a new arena of strategic rivalry between major powers. He urged China to ensure independence in key technologies, such as the production of advanced computer chips necessary for training artificial intelligence models.
This warning comes amid preparations for a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden in Washington. Security and the regulation of artificial intelligence are expected to be among the main topics of the negotiations.
A day earlier, former US President Barack Obama warned that if the government does not develop clear rules to control the development of artificial intelligence, it could take on a dangerous character.