Emergence of an “AI-tocracy” Explored by MIT News
Introduction:
In a new study co-led by an MIT professor, it is revealed that China’s authoritarian regime has successfully used AI-driven facial-recognition technology to suppress dissent and limit protest. This deployment of AI technology has not only quelled dissent but has also spurred the development of better AI-based tools and software. The scholars describe this cycle as an “AI-tocracy” in which the increased use of AI technology strengthens the regime and stimulates further innovation. The research, published in the Quarterly Journal of Economics, uses evidence from political unrest data and government procurement contracts to demonstrate the effectiveness of facial-recognition technology in suppressing dissent and driving China’s tech sector forward. This study sheds light on the intricate relationship between technology, autocratic governments, and economic growth.
Full Article: Emergence of an “AI-tocracy” Explored by MIT News
The Chinese government has successfully used AI-driven facial-recognition technology to suppress dissent and limit protests, according to a new study co-led by an MIT professor. The research suggests that this deployment of AI technology has also spurred the development of better AI-based facial-recognition tools and other software. The scholars refer to this cycle as an “AI-tocracy,” where increased use of AI technology quells dissent and promotes innovation. The study, titled “AI-tocracy,” is published in the Quarterly Journal of Economics.
Using data from the Global Database of Events, Language, and Tone (GDELT) Project, the researchers identified over 9,000 incidents of political unrest in China between 2014 and 2020. They then examined procurement records from China’s Ministry of Finance and found that local governments increased their procurement of facial-recognition AI services and high-resolution video cameras following episodes of public unrest.
The researchers believe that this approach effectively suppresses dissent, although they could not directly estimate the effect of the technology on political unrest. To assess this, they studied the relationship between weather conditions and political unrest in different areas of China. They found that in prefectures where facial-recognition technology was already implemented, weather conditions that typically lead to political unrest were less conducive to protests compared to areas that had not made similar investments.
Moreover, the study found that the increased demand for AI technology in China’s government contracts has driven the country’s tech sector forward. Firms granted procurement contracts for facial-recognition technologies produced about 49% more software products in the two years after receiving the government contract. This indicates that AI-driven tools are not crowding out other types of high-tech innovation in China.
The findings of this study have implications for understanding the relationship between forms of government, economic growth, and technological advancements. While previous research has shown that democratic institutions generate greater economic growth, this study suggests that autocratic governments can enhance their political power by harnessing technological advances like AI.
Avi Goldfarb, an expert in the societal applications of AI, praised the paper as an excellent and important contribution to the field. He noted that the research highlights the positive feedback loop between the use of AI facial-recognition technology to suppress unrest and the development of AI models.
The scholars behind the study are continuing their work on related aspects of the issue. They are examining how China exports advanced facial-recognition technologies globally, potentially contributing to the spread of government repression.
The research was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, the Harvard Data Science Initiative, and the British Academy’s Global Professorships program.
Summary: Emergence of an “AI-tocracy” Explored by MIT News
In a new study, researchers from MIT and Harvard University have found that China’s authoritarian regime has successfully suppressed dissent and spurred innovation in AI-driven facial recognition technology. The study suggests that as the government deploys more facial recognition technology to quell protests, it stimulates the development of better AI tools. The researchers call this phenomenon an “AI-tocracy,” where increased use of AI technology strengthens the regime’s control and drives innovation. The findings have implications for understanding the relationship between autocratic governments, technological advancements, and economic growth. The study also raises concerns about the global exportation of repressive technology.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: What is artificial intelligence (AI)?
A1: Artificial Intelligence, often referred to as AI, is a branch of computer science that focuses on developing intelligent machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks include speech recognition, decision-making, problem-solving, visual perception, and language translation. AI systems are designed to learn, adapt, and improve their performance based on real-time data.
Q2: How does artificial intelligence work?
A2: Artificial intelligence simulates the cognitive processes of the human brain in order to analyze data, learn from patterns, and make informed decisions. AI systems rely on various techniques such as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics. These techniques enable machines to process vast amounts of data, recognize patterns, and generate insights or responses.
Q3: What are the different types of artificial intelligence?
A3: There are mainly two types of artificial intelligence: narrow AI and general AI. Narrow AI, also known as weak AI, is designed to perform specific tasks efficiently, such as voice assistants or recommendation systems. On the other hand, general AI aims to possess human-like intelligence and handle a wide range of tasks, exhibiting flexibility and adaptability.
Q4: How is artificial intelligence benefiting various industries?
A4: Artificial intelligence has revolutionized numerous industries. In healthcare, AI assists in diagnosing diseases, analyzing medical images, and developing personalized treatment plans. In finance, AI algorithms improve fraud detection, automate processes, and provide insightful predictions for investment strategies. AI also plays a significant role in manufacturing, transportation, customer service, and many other sectors, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and productivity.
Q5: What are the ethical concerns surrounding artificial intelligence?
A5: Ethical concerns regarding AI include issues related to privacy, bias, job displacement, and the singularity dilemma. The use of AI raises questions about data privacy and security, as machine learning algorithms depend on capturing and analyzing personal information. Bias in AI systems can arise due to skewed training datasets, leading to unfair treatment or discrimination. Additionally, the potential for job displacement due to automation and the unpredictable consequences of highly advanced AI systems pose challenges that need careful consideration.
