On April 26, Professor Sun Ninghui, a leading expert in computer systems architecture and an academic at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, delivered a pivotal lecture entitled “The Development of Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Computing” to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. Despite limited coverage in the Chinese media, the full text of the speech is published onlineprovided a rare and revealing insight into Beijing’s AI ambitions.

Born in Shanghai in 1968, Sun Ninghui is a pivotal figure in China’s technological landscape. His career includes directing the National Intelligent Computer Research and Development Center and serving as dean of the School of Computer Science and Technology at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Sun’s lecture was more than an academic exercise; it was a strategic blueprint of China’s AI ambitions and fears. He emphasized the dual nature of AI, noting its potential for remarkable technological advancements while highlighting its security risks, especially regarding politically sensitive information. AI-generated deepfakes, fraudulent news from tools like ChatGPT, and the proliferation of fake news sites underscore AI’s potential to undermine social trust. For Beijing, these are not merely technical problems, but strategic vulnerabilities that its leaders are keen to neutralize.

Sun’s focus on AI’s ability to reveal politically sensitive or “incorrect” information was striking. He emphasized that the AI ​​landscape is riddled with factual inaccuracies, inherent biases and ease of manipulation – ripe for exploitation by adversaries. These concerns are particularly acute for China, driven by the government’s obsession with monitoring politically sensitive content. Beijing has introduced strict regulations to ensure that AI development remains within state-approved limits.

The technical rivalry with the United States was another central point in Sun’s lecture. With superior talent, fundamental algorithms and computing power, the US has a leading edge in AI. China’s current role as a fast follower is a status quo that Beijing is eager to disrupt.

US-imposed restrictions on high-end computer products and advanced semiconductor technologies pose significant obstacles, according to Sun. The ban on advanced chips like the A100 and H100 is hampering China’s progress in AI, and underscoring the strategic stranglehold the United States has on China’s technological ambitions. This impact is particularly severe for companies like Huawei and SMIC. Sun suggested China innovate domestically and diversify supply chains to reduce dependence on US technology, echoing Beijing’s call to secure its high-tech future.

Sun’s criticism of China’s underdeveloped domestic AI ecosystem was particularly revealing. Compared to NVIDIA’s extensive CUDA ecosystem, China’s AI development tools and talent pool are still in their infancy, underscoring the urgent need for a cohesive, integrated approach to building a competitive AI ecosystem. The lack of synergy between AI technology layers – from applications to hardware – poses a significant challenge that Beijing is determined to overcome. To this end, Chinese leaders must commit to enriching the AI ​​ecosystem through substantial investments and strategic initiatives, Sun emphasized.

He outlined three strategic paths for China’s AI development. The first concerns joining US-led systems, a practical but restrictive path given current geopolitical tensions. The second is to build a closed, proprietary system, suitable for specific sectors such as the military or the judiciary, but limited in scalability and global reach. The third and most promising path, according to Sun, is to embrace an open source model through global collaboration initiatives such as RISC-V. By promoting a collaborative global ecosystem, China should dismantle existing monopolies and lower entry barriers for domestic companies. This third path aligns with Beijing’s vision to become a global technology standard setter and innovation leader.

Investing in new infrastructure is another cornerstone of China’s proposed AI strategy. Sun’s vision emphasizes the importance of robust data and computational infrastructure and includes establishing national data hubs, developing foundational AI models, and integrating computational resources across the country. The goal is to transform data into a strategic national asset, making AI services as accessible and affordable as utilities such as water and electricity. This strategy underlines Beijing’s belief that a strong infrastructure backbone is essential to supporting growth, both traditional and AI-driven.

A major departure from the US approach to AI is China’s focus on the real economy, and not just on AI for AI’s sake. While the US is mainly driving AI innovation in virtual sectors such as software and internet services, China is seeking to increase its manufacturing capabilities through AI integration. It is imperative to leverage AI in traditional industries such as manufacturing and pharmaceuticals while promoting innovation in emerging areas, Sun points out. This practical strategy ensures that AI not only drives economic growth, but also strengthens China’s industrial base, maintaining its global competitiveness.

Despite Sun’s confidence and grand vision, Beijing’s AI ambitions are not without significant caveats. The government’s strict control over politically sensitive content could hinder innovation and limit the potential for open scientific discourse. The heavy reliance on state-approved values ​​for AI development raises questions about the ethical implications and potential misuse of AI technologies. Moreover, while the strategy of circumventing US restrictions through domestic innovation has merits, it remains to be seen whether China can achieve the necessary technological breakthroughs amid ongoing global competition.

Sun’s lecture was more than an information session for Chinese lawmakers. It should be seen as a strategic manifesto as Beijing is keen to develop a comprehensive and forward-looking AI strategy. This rare glimpse into the thinking of its top leaders provides a sharp, critical perspective on how China plans to use AI to maintain its competitive advantage in the high-stakes tech arena.