Innovation and International Influence: China’s Artificial Intelligence Pursuit in a Geopolitical Context

As the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) gains prominence in geopolitical discourse, the dynamics of U.S.-China relations have brought this issue to the forefront of international relations discourse. However, the motivations underlying China's recent surge in AI development remain unexplored, necessitating an investigation of how China frames its pursuit of AI maturity. This study delves into four decades of Chinese technology and innovation policy to decipher the drivers behind its rapid acceleration in AI interest. Through an examination of over 200 original policy documents, three potential political motivations emerge: (1) integration of offensive AI capabilities, (2) integration of defensive AI capabilities, and (3) the utilization of AI for soft power projection. The qualitative analysis reveals that China's predominant policy focus and rhetoric center around leveraging AI to bolster its soft power, enhance international influence, and position itself as a normative authority.