China emerges as leader in AI development and governance

Beijing: China emerges as a key player in global artificial intelligence (AI) development and governance, according to the AI Governance International Evaluation Index (AGILE).

Developed by the Center for Long-term Artificial Intelligence and the International Research Center for AI Ethics and Governance, both under the Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the AGILE Index offers a comprehensive assessment of 14 representative countries across 39 parameters. It aims to shed light on the current state of AI governance and recommend improvements for global systems.

China secures the second position overall with a score of 68.5, closely trailing the United States, which scored just above 70. Despite its lower per capita GDP, China’s strong performance underscores its advanced AI development and effective governance mechanisms.

However, the report highlights challenges in China’s AI infrastructure. While excelling in various indicators such as AI publications, professionals, patents, and AI systems, China lags in crucial areas like AI data centers, ranking ninth overall with only 2.5% of global infrastructure. These centers are vital for data processing and the development of large-scale AI applications.

Nevertheless, China distinguishes itself with a burgeoning literature on AI governance. In 2021, Chinese publications accounted for 23.1% of global AI governance literature, surpassing other surveyed countries.

The AGILE Index underscores China’s significant contributions to the AI landscape, alongside areas where improvements are needed, signaling the nation’s pivotal role in shaping the future of AI governance globally.

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