China’s AI Ambitions Go Far Beyond Western Perceptions, Experts Say

China’s approach to artificial intelligence and its pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI) is far more nuanced and multi-faceted than commonly understood in the West, according to experts Dr. William C. Hannas and Huey-Meei Chang from the Center for Security and Emerging Technologies (CSET).

The researchers, who recently co-edited “Chinese Power and Artificial Intelligence: Perspectives and Challenges,” challenge several prevalent misconceptions about China’s AI strategy in a new analysis for The Diplomat.

Despite common perceptions, China and the West are aligned in their understanding of AGI – broadly defined as “the ability of an intelligent agent to learn any intellectual task that a human can.” The Chinese term for AGI (通用人工智能 or “general artificial intelligence”) is used interchangeably with the English acronym in Chinese technical literature, demonstrating conceptual alignment on the end goal.

A more concerning misconception, according to the researchers, is the belief that China’s progress toward AGI can be measured solely against Western “frontier models” like those developed by OpenAI or Anthropic. While China has made headlines with models like DeepSeek, its approach to achieving AGI is notably more diverse.

“China does not see large models as the only way to the Buddha,” the researchers note, pointing to substantial Chinese investment in “brain-inspired” (类脑) AI as a distinct discipline with dedicated government support. A survey of 850 Chinese AI scientists revealed that 84 percent believe brain-inspired AI would have greater impact than competing approaches to AGI.

Chinese President Xi Jinping himself has endorsed “connectomics” (脑连接图谱) – mapping brain connections – as fundamental to developing advanced intelligent technology. Additionally, China is investing significantly in brain-computer interfaces not just for therapeutic applications, but as a potential pathway to cognitive enhancement and AGI.

The experts also highlight China’s work in “embodied” (具身) or physical AI, which leading Chinese scientists consider another viable path to AGI. This multi-pronged approach challenges the notion that China is primarily focused on applications rather than pursuing AGI leadership.

“China sees no such contradiction,” the researchers explain. “Rather, it believes that investing in physical AI is another way to get to AGI. China’s pursuit of applications-oriented AI is meant to advance the country economically while paving the way to an AI ‘first mover advantage’ (先发优势).”

Some Chinese tech leaders envision even more ambitious goals. Alibaba CEO Eddie Wu Yongming recently suggested that AGI is “not AI’s endpoint, but a new beginning,” pointing toward artificial superintelligence (ASI) – AI that surpasses human intelligence and can improve itself without human intervention.

The researchers dispute recent commentary praising China for its practical AI applications while criticizing America’s AGI focus. “While accurate in itself – America’s focus on large models may not lead to AGI and China is outpacing the U.S. in AI infusion – the argument is a false dichotomy, as China has by no means de-emphasized its state-sponsored goal to achieve AGI,” they write.

Instead, China is simultaneously pursuing both practical applications and AGI development through multiple complementary approaches. Chinese scientists recognize that embodied AI applications can support AGI development, creating a virtuous cycle rather than competing priorities.

Looking ahead, the researchers warn that the United States lacks a comprehensive mechanism to monitor developments in Chinese AI and other advanced technologies. Given the strategic implications, they argue that establishing such intelligence capabilities should be a national priority for the U.S. and its allies.