The AI Policy Podcast Mapping Chinese AI Regulation with Matt Sheehan
Apr 2, 2025
Matt Sheehan, a Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, dives into China's AI policymaking evolution over the past decade. He discusses how professionals transitioned from cybersecurity to AI policy, driven by public concerns over deepfakes. Sheehan highlights the pivotal 2017 national AI plan and the tension between privacy and surveillance. He also examines the current state of Chinese AI amidst global challenges, including U.S. export controls, illustrating how companies navigate a complex regulatory landscape.
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Sheehan's Collaboration on AI Superpowers
- Matt Sheehan collaborated extensively with Kai-Fu Lee on his book AI Superpowers.
- Lee praised Sheehan's deep understanding of China, the US, technology, and writing.
China's AI Policy Evolution
- China's AI policy has evolved through distinct phases, starting with a pro-development era (2017-2020).
- This era was marked by government incentives and private capital influx, boosting the Chinese AI ecosystem.
Chinese AI Startups and Revenue
- In 2017, Chinese AI startups secured venture capital and generated revenue, unlike their US counterparts.
- Government procurement, especially for surveillance tech, fueled this revenue generation.
