'Oh god, they can do...': On China's artificial intelligence programme, FBI chief's reaction at Davos WEF

The chief of USA's premier probe agency on 19 January 2023 expressed "deep concern" about the Chinese government's artificial intelligence programme.

Christopher Wray, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said that Beijing's AI programme was "not constrained by rule of law". He added that it was "built on top of massive troves of intellectual property and sensitive data that they've stolen over the years".

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the FBI chief said that China can use its AI advancements for greater hacking, intellectual property theft, and repression of dissidents.

More broadly, he said, "AI is a classic example of a technology where I have the same reaction every time. I think, Wow, We can do that?' And then I think, Oh god, they can do that.'"

Such concerns have long been voiced by US officials. In October 2021, for instance, US counterintelligence officials issued warnings about China's ambitions in AI as part of a renewed effort to inform business executives, academics and local and state government officials about the risks of accepting Chinese investment or expertise in key industries.

(With agency inputs)

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