China’s AI Strategy in the Global South
China’s rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are significantly altering the global technology landscape. A key aspect of this transformation involves China’s growing influence in the Global South, extending from Africa to Latin America and Southeast Asia. This expansion goes beyond mere technological advancements; it’s about reshaping the global digital order.
China’s approach is guided by a clear strategic vision. The 2017 New Generation AI Development Plan set the ambitious goal of establishing China as the global leader in AI by 2030. This plan focuses on breakthroughs in key areas, including AI infrastructure, applications, and its integration across industries. This aligns with China’s ‘digital silk road’ initiative, which promotes digital infrastructure projects such as fiber optic networks, 5G, cloud computing, and AI-powered services in the Global South.
In contrast to the more cautious AI deployment strategies of the United States and Europe, China has aggressively pursued the integration of AI into its economic partnerships with countries in the Global South. This has given China a distinct advantage.
A major advantage for China stems from its strategy of embedding AI in cost-effective consumer products. Companies like Huawei Technologies, Xiaomi, and BYD are incorporating AI into their smartphones, home devices, and electric vehicles. This makes AI technology more accessible to markets with lower purchasing power.
Furthermore, China’s AI solutions are often optimized for lower-power devices, unlike American AI models that frequently require high-end infrastructure. This is particularly advantageous in regions with less robust digital infrastructure. This strategic focus gives China a significant competitive edge in markets that find Western AI solutions either too expensive or incompatible.
