China, the next global AI superpower? By Prof Jinghan Zeng

In this annual lecture, Jinghan Zeng, Professor of China and International Studies at Lancaster University, will talk about his work and provide a perspective on China’s emerging Artificial Intelligence industry.  

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The revolution of artificial intelligence (AI) will bring fundamental changes for human society for better or worse. China has openly embraced the age of AI and announced its ambition to become a global AI superpower by 2030. Many argue that China is winning the global AI race to build a China-centred AI order. This talk will discuss China’s AI ambition with a focus on governance, security and national strategy. How to best understand China’s national approach towards AI development in comparison with its AI peers such as the US and Europe? Why is AI considered as a matter of national security within and without China? What are the key opportunities and challenges brought about by China’s bold AI practices in the context of its authoritarian governance? Is China on the way to become the next global AI superpower? This talk will try to answer the above questions. 

 About the speaker: 

Jinghan Zeng is Professor of China and International Studies at Lancaster University. He is also Academic Director of China Engagement and Director of Lancaster University Confucius Institute. Previously he was a Senior Lecturer of International Relations and Director of Centre for Politics in Africa, Asia and the Middle East at Royal Holloway, University of London. Before his academic career, he worked for the United Nations’ Department of Economic and Social Affairs in New York City.   

Professor Zeng’s research lies in the field of China's domestic and international politics. He is the author of Artificial Intelligence with Chinese Characteristics:  National Strategy, Security and Authoritarian Governance (2022), Slogan Politics: Understanding Chinese Foreign Policy Concepts (2020) and The Chinese Communist Party's Capacity to Rule: Ideology, Legitimacy and Party Cohesion (2015). He is also the co-editor of One Belt, One Road, One Story? Towards an EU-China Strategic Narrative (2021). He has published over twenty refereed articles in leading journals of politics, international relations and area studies including The Pacific Review, Journal of Contemporary China, International Affairs, JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies and Third World Quarterly. 

He frequently appears in TV and radio broadcasts including the BBC, ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, Voice of America, DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation), Russia Today (RT), China Central Television (CCTV) and China Global Television Network (CGTN). He has been quoted in print/online publications including Financial Times, Forbes, South China Morning Post, PULSO and TODAY. He has written op-ed articles for The Diplomat, BBC(Chinese), The Conversation, Policy Forum among others.