TEHRAN(Bazaar) – William O. Beeman, Professor Emeritus of University of Minnesota, says the United States is increasingly concerned about Chinese advances in the Artificial Intelligence.
He adds: “The United States wants to be the world leader in AI, and this includes being the leader in regulating AI development and use.”
Following is the text of the Bazaar interview with Professor William O. Beeman.
Q: US President Joe Biden met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. What was the importance of this meeting?
A: There are several motivations for this meeting that are foremost in the United States political climate:
1. The United States is increasingly concerned about Chinese military operations in the South China Sea, and the security of Taiwan.
2. Equally important is the United States perceived collaboration between China and countries that the United States is currently in conflict with, including Russia, North Korea, and Iran. The United States would like to persuade China to cease support for these nations.
3. The United States has a drug crisis on its hands. The drug Fentanyl, which has legitimate medical uses, is being trafficked for illegal use throughout the United States with deadly consequences. The raw materials for the illicit manufacture of Fentanyl are being supplied by China to drug cartels in Mexico, and the drug is then smuggled into the United States. It is most often mixed with other illicit drugs causing overdoses and death.
4. The trade imbalance between China and the United States continues to be an economic problem, and it has taken on greater urgency because China's economy is slowing, making it less likely that China will make concessions on trade--since they need the revenue.
All of these issues have taken on political significance for President Biden and the Democratic Party, since Donald Trump continually makes claims that he was a superior negotiator with China. He claims that President Biden has been ineffective in addressing the above concerns, and if returned to the Presidency, he would do a better job. For this reason, President Biden felt it necessary to show that he is able to effectively deal with China, and make progress on all of those concerns.
Because of the slowdown in the Chinese economy, it was also important for President Xi. He feels it essential that the United States not take action that would curtail Chinese political, economic, or military operations.
Q: US President Joe Biden in this meeting announced: With the Chinese President regarding the expansion of cooperation in the fields of combating, we agreed on drugs, military relations, and artificial intelligence. What is the importance of cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence for the two countries?
A: Yes, see my answer above regarding the first two matters. Regarding Artificial Intelligence the United States is increasingly concerned about Chinese advances in this area. The United States wants to be the world leader in AI, and this includes being the leader in regulating AI development and use. China, as an authoritarian regime, has little or no reason to adopt limitations on AI for use in government social and political control, and the idea China would develop powerful AI tools that could be exported to its trade partners (Russia, Iran, North Korea) to be used against the United States and its allies. I have no evidence of what was discussed, but my guess is that President Biden tried to convince President Xi that agreements for controls and monitoring of AI development would be of mutual benefit.
By the way, my personal view of developments in Artificial Intelligence is that people don't really understand this technology very well, and are unreasonably afraid of its ability to be used for nefarious purposes. In other words, AI is a useful tool, but not the dangerous threat some believe it to be.
Q: A senior American official said by quoting Xi Jinping's words with Biden that China prefers to achieve ‘reunification’ with Taiwan through peaceful means, but in certain circumstances, we may also use force. What is your assessment of Xi's words about Taiwan? Do you think the Taiwan crisis will bring the two countries to war?
A: President Xi is telling President Biden and the United States that China still intends to annex Taiwan. The United States believes that it is the only force that can prevent this. If China occupied and annexed Taiwan, it would be a disaster for United States foreign policy. This is one of the most continual and serious concerns in United States foreign policy. If China attacked Taiwan militarily it would touch off a war. For this reason, President Biden must project strength toward China in the most serious manner.
Q: Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser of the White House, said before the meeting between the presidents of the United States and China: Biden believes that there is no substitute for face-to-face diplomacy to manage the complex relations between the two countries. We anticipate that the leaders will discuss some of the most fundamental elements of the US-China bilateral relationship, including the continued importance of strengthening open lines of communication and responsibly managing competition so that it does not devolve into conflict. What do you think of these remarks?
A: I think Security Adviser Sullivan is correct. Moreover, it shows that the United States has finally learned a bit about effective diplomacy with non-Western nations. Chinese diplomacy requires interpersonal contact to develop trust. The concept of "face" is extremely important (as it is in Iran). This is true even for a formidable leader like President Xi, who is certainly one of the most strategically savvy heads of state in the world. I hope that the United States continues with this diplomatic effort, because it is the most likely route to reduce tensions over the serious issues I mentioned above.
Q: The President of China said in the meeting with Biden, “This planet can accommodate China and America (at the same time)”. Some believe that this statement proves that, contrary to some opinions, Beijing was not and is not following the decline and fall of the US. What is your assessment?
A: This was a very subtle remark on the part of President Xi. He was placing the United States and China on equal status footing. Some commentators have remarked that President Xi was claiming that China and the United States are co-equal superpowers. President Biden let this claim slide. It was perhaps an oversight on Biden's part, or perhaps a remark that he felt was not worth contradicting. In any case, noot making an issue of this remark was probably the best diplomatic posture for President Biden to take.
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