China recently introduced a new artificial intelligence chatbot that has been specifically trained on President Xi Jinping's doctrine, underscoring the ideological boundaries that Chinese AI models must adhere to. The chatbot is based on Xi Jinping Thought, a doctrine that advocates for 'socialism with Chinese characteristics.'
The development was announced by China's cyberspace academy, revealing that the chatbot was trained on seven databases, with one of them being Xi Jinping Thought. This move aligns with the Chinese government's efforts to promote the ideology and ideas of the country's leader.
Xi Jinping Thought, also known as 'Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,' consists of 14 principles that emphasize the absolute power of the Chinese Communist Party, national security, socialist values, and improving people's well-being.
The chatbot, created by the China Institute of Cybersecurity Affairs, is intended to showcase advancements in cybersecurity and IT research. It is designed to generate report outlines on topics such as AI development and productivity, offering users the ability to access information in both Chinese and English.
While the AI model can create reports, summarize data, and provide translations, it remains uncertain whether the Xi-trained chatbot will be publicly available. This unveiling comes amid the ongoing competition between the U.S. and China for AI dominance, with both countries striving to lead the global AI landscape by 2030.
China's vast population of 1.4 billion provides a significant advantage in accumulating data for training AI systems, particularly in areas like facial recognition and autonomous driving. Companies like Alibaba and Baidu have already introduced Chinese-language AI models for public and commercial use, although these models are subject to China's strict censorship regulations.
As a result, Chinese AI models, including the newly unveiled chatbot, are often limited in their responses to politically sensitive inquiries, reflecting the broader context of AI development within the country.
