China’s spy agency warns of national security threats from AI technology

Ministry of State Security lists risks of data leaks, cyberattacks, data manipulation and impact on economy and military

It calls for tighter laws and regulations on artificial intelligence, promotion of global governance and a crackdown on crime

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China’s state security ministry has warned of cyberattacks that could be assisted by AI technology. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 4:12pm, 16 Nov 2023

China’s spy agency has warned of the risks posed by artificial intelligence technology, especially those that could threaten national security.

The Ministry of State Security said the rapid development and wide application of AI – such as ChatGPT – posed challenges that “may fundamentally change the existing national security landscape in the near future”.

In an article posted to its WeChat account on Thursday, the ministry listed data leaks, cyberattacks and data manipulation as potential risks, as well as the technology’s impact on the economy and military.

Earlier this year, State Security Minister Chen Yixin warned of cybersecurity challenges that could threaten China’s infrastructure. He also wrote in an article published in September that technologies such as AI had brought new and greater uncertainties for security.

Beijing put forward a framework for artificial intelligence at last month’s belt and road forum, calling for equal rights for all nations. The framework – known as the Global AI Governance Initiative – notes the huge opportunities of artificial intelligence but also its “unpredictable risks and complicated challenges”.

AI governance is among the areas Beijing and Washington have pledged to cooperate on, according to a Chinese statement following Wednesday’s summit between Xi Jinping and Joe Biden in San Francisco.

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