China Emerges as a Global Leader in Artificial Intelligence Development and Governance

BEIJING, 17th February, 2024 - In a recent revelation by the AI Governance International Evaluation Index (AGILE), China has been recognized for its prominent position in the sphere of artificial intelligence (AI) development and governance. This assessment, as reported by China Daily, underscores China's significant strides in AI, positioning it as a global leader in this domain.

The AGILE Index, a creation of the Center for Long-term Artificial Intelligence alongside the International Research Center for AI Ethics and Governance, both entities under the Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, conducted a comprehensive evaluation. This evaluation spanned 39 parameters across 14 representative countries to shed light on the current state of AI governance and propose enhancements for global governance frameworks.

China emerged as a frontrunner in this evaluation, securing the second position with an impressive score of 68.5, trailing slightly behind the United States which scored just above 70. Remarkably, China's performance in AI development and governance far exceeds its per capita GDP, indicating its advanced capabilities and effective governance in this field.

Despite its achievements, China faces hurdles in AI infrastructure development. Among eight critical indicators including articles on AI, professionals in the field, patents granted, AI systems published, top 500 supercomputer FLOPs, co-location data centers, and total funding for AI companies and startups, China claimed the second spot. Its contributions varied from 10% to 33% of the total in these areas. However, when it comes to infrastructure for AI data centers, essential for processing data and developing large-scale AI applications, China ranks ninth with only 2.5%.

An area where China particularly shines is in its contribution to literature on AI governance. In 2021, Chinese publications constituted 23.1% of the global literature on this topic, the highest among the 14 countries surveyed. This indicates a robust engagement with the ethical and governance aspects of AI development, highlighting China's commitment to leading thoughtful discourse in this rapidly evolving field.

The AGILE Index's findings not only highlight China's prowess in AI development but also underscore the challenges it faces in infrastructure development. As AI continues to shape global economies and societies, China's role as a leader in both developing and governing this technology remains crucial. The country's significant contribution to AI governance literature further emphasizes its dedication to fostering responsible and ethical AI development on a global scale.

With inputs from WAM