Namaste Yogis. Welcome to the Blockchain & AI Forum, where your technology questions are answered! Here no question is too mundane. As a bonus, a proverb is also included. Today’s question, was submitted by Marcia in Palmdale, CA and she wants to know is China using its international aid to advance use of its artificial intelligence technology and gain market dominance in developing countries?
Marcia, you came to the right place. You ask a tough question, fortunately there is an organization headquartered in Santa Monica, CA that researches the subject and their name is RAND. RAND stands for Research and Development Corporation. Let’s understand RAND then answer your specific question.
RAND is a non-profit public policy research organization. RAND was established in 1948 with the intent of providing non-partisan policy research and analysis. Almost 100% of RAND’s 1,800 research staff members have either a Ph.D. or master’s degree. With seven offices spread across the globe in the USA, UK, and Australia, RAND has a worldwide audience. Last year RAND launched 800+ new research projects funded by more than 350 clients. RAND conducts policy research across 10 subjects, including national security. Bottom line–RAND is an impressive research organization consisting of brainy people. Holy nerds, Batman! Now let’s turn to the question asked by Marcia.
According to RAND, at $85B per year, China is the world leader in development finance. USA development finance falls a far second at only $45B per year. RAND says, Chinese tech companies can use this large government funding support to deploy state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) tools in development contracts in recipient countries. And therefore, the AI exports facilitated by these arrangements are likely to bolster China’s growing global AI technology-related supply chains, trade flows, technology standards, and regulatory systems. In other words, when China provides development finance (aid) to Pakistan, for example, the contract with Pakistan, will include conditions that require Pakistan to use Chinese AI technology. Holy foot in the door, Batman!
Given the situation, RAND’s national security team was contracted (they don’t say by whom, but you can safety assume a branch of the U.S. government) to explore two questions:
1. How can China’s AI exports be systematically tracked and analyzed using reliable data sources?
2. What would promote a better understanding of the global landscape of China’s AI exports?
China does not participate in the International Aid Transparency Initiative. Hence, researchers tracked Chinese development finance by receiving countries. Researchers used OCED (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) data in their research. The dataset captured all official financial and in-kind commitments from China from 2000–2021 to developing countries.
First, let’s look at the published findings of the 33-page report. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA2696-1.html followed by a few words regarding unpublished findings, as perhaps those too are interesting.
Reported Findings:
- Researchers discovered 155 AI applications and AI infrastructure projects that were exported to 64 countries
- The researchers used GIS to map their findings. Although Pakistan was the largest beneficiary, the map clearly shows most Chinese aid was dedicated to African nations.
Unreported Findings:
The report has six blank pages and no explanation for the blank pages is offered. The blank pages are not labeled, “Intentionally Left Blank”. The pages are simply blank with no explanation whatsoever. And no mention of what who paid for the report! Holy mystery, Batman!
I end with a proverb from Pakistan: The friend appears in hard times, not at big dinners.
Until next time,
Yogi Nelson
Blockchain & AI Forum 