Beware the Authoritarian Biopolitics of the AI Age by Tao Dongfeng
Today’s edition opens with an introduction by Kristin Shi-Kupfer, Professor for Contemporary China Studies at Trier University. Kristin is also a Senior Associate Fellow at the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS). Following the conclusion of a joint University of Trier–MERICS project on Chinese debates, “China Spektrum”, Kristin’s most recent interdisciplinary project, “Chinaratrack”, focuses on analysing policy narratives across different Chinese media channels. Very grateful to her for contributing to this edition. — Jacob and Thomas
China has been pushing and applying artificial intelligence (AI) on a scale—and across a spectrum of domains—unmatched by any other country. Nevertheless, Chinese cadres, scholars and practitioners have raised concerns about the challenges posed by AI.
Chinese entrepreneurs have warned against the known and unknown harm of AI systems, with some even joining the international open letter calling for a pause in training advanced AI systems in March 2023. On platforms such as the Q&A forum Zhihu, Chinese internet users discuss scenarios in which AI turns against humans—sometimes even framed as a form of “salvation” amid a morally degenerate human society.
Taking a similarly critical stance on human nature, Tao Dongfeng offers a unique perspective on AI as both a path to, and tool of, a new techno-totalitarianism and fascism. This will come as no surprise to those familiar with Tao, a professor for contemporary Chinese language and literature with an extensive body of sharp-penned, politically liberal leaning essays and articles. In the context of Xi Jinping’s regime surveilling and cracking down on people like Tao, his essay is courageous, deeply moving and disturbing at the same time.
“If one wants to make someone submit to a certain ideology, a certain doctrine, or to the absolute rule of a certain ruler, and maintain absolute loyalty, there is no need for ideological education or threats of violence; simply implanting a tiny, completely invisible chip is sufficient.”
One may wonder how, and why, a sentence like this—indeed, an article like this—can be published and, at the time of writing, remain accessible on the Chinese internet. One explanation might be that the authorities want to observe how people comment on and react to it. Certainly, Tao is a master of “playing edge-ball” [擦边球] a metaphor for the skilful art of pushing the limits of what is politically permissible without crossing the boundaries.
Tao predominantly references foreign examples and works, including publications on Nazi fascism, and fiction such ...
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