Countries such as China are using multiple means, including talent development and recruitment, investment and internal policies, to stimulate domestic research and development, promote scientific progress, and drive technological innovation. We document the role of legal, illegal, and extra-legal mechanisms used by such countries for these purposes. The research involves analysis of budgets, investment patterns, patent trends, talent recruitment, and other potential indicators using official Chinese and other country documents and other open-source, native-language resources.

Formal Response

CSET’s Recommendations for an AI Action Plan

March 14, 2025

In response to the Office of Science and Technology Policy's request for input on an AI Action Plan, CSET provides key recommendations for advancing AI research, ensuring U.S. competitiveness, and maximizing benefits while mitigating risks. Our response highlights policies to strengthen the AI workforce, secure technology from illicit transfers, and...

Analysis

Chinese Critiques of Large Language Models

William Hannas, Huey-Meei Chang, Maximilian Riesenhuber, and Daniel Chou

| January 2025

Large generative models are widely viewed as the most promising path to general (human-level) artificial intelligence and attract investment in the billions of dollars. The present enthusiasm notwithstanding, a chorus of ranking Chinese scientists regard this singular approach to AGI as ill-advised. This report documents these critiques in China’s research,...

Analysis

Fueling China’s Innovation: The Chinese Academy of Sciences and Its Role in the PRC’s S&T Ecosystem

Cole McFaul, Hanna Dohmen, Sam Bresnick, and Emily S. Weinstein

| October 2024

The Chinese Academy of Sciences is among the most important S&T organizations in the world and plays a key role in advancing Beijing’s S&T objectives. This report provides an in-depth look into the organization and its various functions within China’s S&T ecosystem, including advancing S&T research, fostering the commercialization of...

An Analysis of China’s AI Governance Proposals

Hipolito Calero

| September 12, 2024

This blog post analyzes five major Chinese AI governance proposals, focusing on the key actors specified in each proposal. We find that older proposals lack specificity when identifying AI governance actors. Recent proposals, on the other hand, assign roles and responsibilities to a defined set of actors. The findings from...

The Finalized EU Artificial Intelligence Act: Implications and Insights

Mia Hoffmann

| August 1, 2024

The European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act has officially come into force today after more than five years of legislative processes and negotiations. While marking a significant milestone, it also initiates a prolonged phase of implementation, refinement, and enforcement. This blog post outlines key aspects of the regulation, such as rules...

U.S. Big Tech in China: Too Big to Bail

Ngor Luong, Sam Bresnick, and Kathleen Curlee

| May 6, 2024

In their op-ed featured in The Wire China, CSET's Ngor Luong, Sam Bresnick, and Kathleen Curlee provide their expert analysis on the changing landscape for U.S. big tech companies in China.

William Hannas

Lead Analyst

Daniel Chou

Data Scientist

Huey-Meei Chang

Senior China S&T Specialist

Ryan Fedasiuk

Non-Resident State Department Fellow

In an article published by WIRED exploring China's advancement in BCI technology, CSET's William Hannas offered his expert insight.

William Hannas, Lead Analyst at CSET, provided expert insights in a Newsweek article discussing China's development of "Supermind," a new AI-based intelligence platform.

In a recent Nature article, CSET's Helen Toner lends her expertise to the discussion on groundbreaking developments in governmental oversight of artificial intelligence (AI) in the United States and the United Kingdom.

A recent Newsweek article featured a report from CSET, highlighting China's strong push in the field of artificial general intelligence.

According to research by CSET's William Hannas, China puts a premium on OSINT and has an estimated 100,000 analysts tasked with scouring scientific and technical developments globally, mostly in the United States.

In her coauthored report, CSET Research Analyst Dahlia Peterson offers recommendations for democratic governments and civil society to rein in the unchecked spread and use of surveillance technology.