The Era of Intelligence - Navigating the Landscape of Strategic Artificial Intelligence Development and Governance between the United States and People’s Republic of China

Abstract

In today’s digitally driven world, there is no other technology that currently commands the same level of global interest for its transformative potential as the emergence of modern artificial intelligence. As such, stakeholders from around the world — spanning various sectors of industry, academia and government alike — have rapidly begun their attempts to harness and integrate this technology into nearly every aspect of human life, with both the United States and People’s Republic of China emerging as the world's leading AI superpowers. While these efforts have resulted in technological advancements and the deployment of numerous AI applications that have already yielded substantial benefits, the rapid progression of AI technology has also raised concerns regarding the future of its development and governance. Thus this thesis seeks to answer two timely questions of mounting global significance: What are the implications of the differing strategies in AI development and governance pursued by the world’s two leading AI superpowers, the United States and People’s Republic of China? And, how do they impact their relations and the broader global trajectory of AI development and governance? As a foundation for analysis, this thesis provides a comprehensive review of the national AI strategies, regulatory frameworks, and ethical considerations of both nations; uncovering the unique paths taken by the United States and People’s Republic of China in their pursuit of AI supremacy. Through a comparative analysis, the findings of this thesis suggest that the differing strategies in AI development and governance pursued by the United States and the People’s Republic of China significantly influence their relations and have profound implications for the future trajectory of global AI development and governance. Specifically, the competitive pursuit of AI supremacy between the two nations may lead to heightened geopolitical tensions and a focus on the militarization of AI, potentially sparking an AI arms race. Furthermore, the fragmentation of global AI governance standards resulting from their divergent approaches may hinder international cooperation and impede efforts to address ethical, security, and regulatory challenges associated with AI technologies. In response to these challenges, this thesis calls for the establishment of a bilateral agreement on the future of AI development and governance between the United States and People’s Republic of China. This proposed agreement aims to foster future cooperation, ensure transparency, and harmonize AI governance standards, thus shaping a future where AI is developed and utilized responsibly for the benefit of all humanity.