The Brookings Institution recently released a report titled “Can Democracies Cooperate with China on AI Research? | Rebalancing AI Research Networks.” The report delves into the complex issue of cooperation between democratic countries and China in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) research. The report suggests that while cooperation in AI research can bring benefits such as access to knowledge and resources, it also poses significant ethical and strategic concerns.
The report highlights that China has rapidly become a major player in the field of AI research and development (R&D) and that it is important for democratic countries to consider how to engage with China in a way that balances cooperation and competition. The report argues that the US should consider a two-pronged approach to AI R&D cooperation with China, which includes a “dual-use” strategy that screens out certain types of collaboration while encouraging others.
One of the main concerns raised in the report is the potential for AI research to contribute to China’s surveillance state. The report notes that “China’s dramatic escalation of Orwellian surveillance has made the ethical concerns much more pressing.” In order to address this concern, the report suggests that US research labs be allowed to continue operating in China but that they operate within constraints meant to minimize the ethical and strategic concerns involved.
The report also highlights the importance of considering the background of Chinese partners and the likely applications of the research. It suggests three main considerations for researchers or institutions when embarking on a collaborative AI research project: (1) access to knowledge and resources, (2) the background of the Chinese partners, and (3) likely applications of the research. The report states that “Answering the third question will often involve consultation between these parties”.
One key issue addressed in the report is the potential for China to gain access to sensitive information and resources through cooperation on AI research. The report suggests that governments should conduct thorough upfront screenings of applicants for visas and research collaborations, and that visas should have longer validity if approved. The report also suggests that the U.S. should work with other governments to support their own approaches to assessing costs and benefits from access of Chinese students to AI programs and collaborative AI research.
Another important consideration is the background of Chinese partners involved in collaborative AI research. The report proposes that researchers and institutions should ask themselves three main questions before embarking on a project: (1) is this cooperative project giving the Chinese partners access to new resources that they would not have on their own; (2) do you know who those Chinese partners are and whether they or their institution have ties to the Chinese military or security apparatus; and (3) have you thought through the likely applications of this research, specifically in China, and are you comfortable with the work contributing to those applications?
The report also suggests that governments play a role in supporting researchers and institutions in making responsible decisions about cooperation on specific research projects. It proposes the creation of a new public-private research security institution that would be an industry- and academia-led body that can help inform those confronting either ethically or geopolitically difficult questions about research security in relation to international cooperation.
Another key issue addressed in the report is the highly diffuse and international nature of AI research, which means that many decisions about cooperation on specific research projects fall to individual researchers and institutions. The report suggests that governments do have a role to play in this process by providing researchers and institutions with the information and support to make responsible decisions.
The report also suggests the creation of a new public-private research security institution. This institution would be a place in which academia, industry, civil society, and government can share information and best practices on protecting research integrity from all threats, including those originating in China. The report states that “It would provide a venue for many public and private sector actors to share information and engage with the U.S. government outside of the highly fraught circumstances of punitive law enforcement actions.”
In conclusion, the Brookings Institution report highlights the complex and nuanced nature of AI research cooperation between democratic countries and China. The report emphasizes the importance of balancing the benefits of collaboration and knowledge sharing with the potential risks of contributing to China’s surveillance state and military buildup.
To address these concerns, the report recommends a range of measures including stricter visa screening for Chinese students and researchers, working with other governments to support their own cost-benefit approaches to assessing access to AI programs, and establishing a new public-private research security institution to share information and best practices on protecting research integrity.
The report also suggests that researchers and institutions should consider three main considerations before embarking on collaborative AI research with Chinese partners: access to knowledge and resources, the background of the Chinese partners, and the likely applications of the research. Additionally, the report recommends that private companies be allowed to continue operating AI labs in China, but within constraints to minimize ethical and strategic concerns.
The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of bridging the government-researcher divide on AI cooperation, stating that “both camps must make concessions to the others’ interests, expertise, and worldview.” It also notes that “following the above recommendations will require governments, private companies, and the research community to make concessions to the others’ interests, expertise, and worldview.”
Overall, the report stresses the importance of a thoughtful and nuanced approach to AI research cooperation with China, balancing the benefits of collaboration with the potential risks and taking into account the unique ethical and strategic considerations involved.