Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent e Huawei: a estratégia chinesa em inteligência artificial

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been interpreted as a General-Purpose Technology and a strategic element, since it has the power to increase competitive advantages and strengthen national defense. For this reason, AI became a top priority for major world powers such as the USA and China. Therefore, this monograph studies China’s strategies to accelerate the development of this technology, as well as identifies some of the reasons that led the Party-State to launch many policies dedicated to AI, such as the Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan. Furthermore, it makes a brief analysis of the main companies called national champions: Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent and Huawei (BATH), responsible for some of the open national innovation platforms. Finally, the monograph assesses that, with the action of BATH, the Chinese Communist Party (CPP) is using AI to increase social control and to expand its geopolitical power.