As Chinese tech startup DeepSeek continues to make waves, the buzz surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) has permeated discussions at the ongoing “two sessions” — a pivotal political event in China. Observers have turned their attention to how AI will align with the nation’s rejuvenation efforts.
DeepSeek has frequently been referenced at press conferences and discussions during the annual National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). As Wu Qing, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, remarked, ‘In recent days, if people fail to mention DeepSeek, they will seem not to catch up with the trend,’ highlighting the startup’s impact on the reassessment of Chinese assets.
The government’s work report presented at the session outlined plans to cultivate industries like embodied AI and promote the application of large-scale AI models. This marks the first inclusion of ’embodied AI,’ which refers to AI systems with a physical presence, such as robots, directly in this annual report.
Bridging the Technology Divide
The “two sessions” serve as a crucial platform that sets China’s developmental agenda, including growth targets and laws. Amidst the growing attention on DeepSeek, lawmakers are investigating how to leverage the growing popularity of AI technology.
Liu Shangxi, a national political advisor, expressed that DeepSeek and its open-source AI model aim to democratize access to advanced technology, mentioning, ‘High costs and huge investments used to limit AI accessibility. Now, AI technology can be accessed by the general public.’
Lou Qinjian, NPC spokesperson, highlighted the China-proposed Global AI Governance Initiative, stating that it seeks to narrow the technology gap and prevent sci-tech innovation from becoming ‘a game of the rich countries and the wealthy.’
China’s tech boom integrates AI across diverse sectors including industry, education, healthcare, governance, and daily life. The growing importance of AI as a productive force in the economy is further reaffirmed by the fact that it’s recognized as a new quality productive force.
In light of industry demands, Zhu Songchun, a national political advisor, is proposing support for nurturing emerging AI specialists, explaining, ‘Universities have rushed to establish AI institutes, but encountered difficulties in recruiting deans and qualified faculty.’
Calls for Regulation
Conversations during the “two sessions” have highlighted the need for regulatory frameworks in AI usage. Jin Dong, a national political advisor and a victim of AI misuse, denounced fraudulent acts where scammers used AI-generated images of him: ‘These are heinous acts and crimes.’ He advocated for industry regulations surrounding AI applications.
NPC deputy Lei Jun proposed measures to prevent abuse of AI technology, emphasizing, ‘We need a single-subject law and heightened industry self-discipline to raise public awareness of AI.’
Furthermore, Li Jinghong, a political advisor and Tsinghua University professor, intends to suggest an AI promotion law that covers areas including talent cultivation and intellectual property rights.
The Role of AI Going Forward
A report from the China Internet Network Information Center in 2024 indicated that the user base of generative AI products in China reached 230 million, supported by a comprehensive AI industry ecosystem that encompasses over 4,500 related companies.
Some political advisors reported employing AI assistants to aid their duties. Zhao Xiaoguang mentioned, ‘AI is like a librarian, helping me locate information for my proposals,’ although he emphasized the importance of cautious AI use.
As the debate on how to effectively integrate AI continues, He Guanghua, a national lawmaker, reminded participants of the importance of engaging with actual communities and conducting real-world research, stating, ‘A deputy’s duties require both brainwork and legwork.’
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