Recent revelations have exposed China’s development of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems designed to enhance the already extensive Chinese censorship apparatus. They are developed to extend censorship beyond traditional taboos such as the Tiananmen Square massacre.
These AI Large Language Models (LLMs) are also engineered to suppress content that deviates from the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) approved narratives.
Leaked Data Reveals AI-Driven Censorship
A leaked database analyzed by TechCrunch reveals that China has developed an AI system that significantly bolsters its censorship capabilities. This system is primarily aimed at censoring Chinese citizens online but also possesses the potential to detect dissent and expand the censorship embedded within AI models.
The database includes instructions for the AI to identify and flag content related to sensitive topics, including political issues, social unrest, and military affairs.
Examples of flagged content encompass complaints about corrupt officials, discussions on poverty in rural areas, and reports on military activities. This approach underscores the CCP’s intent to maintain strict control over public discourse and suppress alternative viewpoints.
DeepSeek: A Case Study in Chinese Censorship
The Chinese AI model DeepSeek, released in January, exemplifies the integration of censorship within AI systems.
