Director of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Christopher Wray said he was very concerned about the development of China's artificial intelligence (AI) program. Why?
According to Wray, the development of China's AI program is scary because it is not limited by the rule of law. He stated this in a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
In addition, according to Wray, the Chinese government has built its ambitions on intellectual property and sensitive data that they have stolen over the years.
According to him, China's AI capabilities can be used to enhance the abilities of its hackers when stealing other important data, or to carry out various acts of repression to silence the freedom of expression of Chinese citizens, we were quoted as saying by Fortune, Friday (20/1/2023).
"That's what worries us a lot, and I think everyone here should be very worried about that," Wray said.
Wray further said that AI is a classic example where a technology can surprise humans because of its capabilities.
Wray's concerns have long been voiced in the US. In October 2021, for example, US counterintelligence officials issued a warning to corporate executives, academia and local governments in the US regarding China's ambitions in developing AI. The link is for them to be wary of accepting investment or aid from China in key industries.
Then in January 2021, an AI commission led by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt asked the US to improve its AI capabilities to compete with China, including developing AI-based weapons.
At that time Schmidt said that weak privacy rules and a large population were advantages for China in developing its technology. So the government must increasingly support the American private sector in order to survive the onslaught of China.
"The US government has to help with some form of funding and we need to let the private sector build on those things and make them successful," Schmidt added.