China’s artificial intelligence ambitions.

China is employing eminent scientists from around the globe to help it advance on many fronts. One area that China seeks to make progress in is the realm of artificial intelligence—creating thinking computer-operated machines. One scientist, Dr. Hugo de Garis, will be advising the Chinese government to establish a national artificial intelligence agency in order to regulate and promote the development of intelligent computers. He notes that these “thinking computers” could be used not only in the homes of regular families, but also in military service.

Currently Dr. Garis is working to help China develop the world’s first artificial brain (Forbes, June 22, 2009). Whether humans will ever be able to artificially manufacture the ability to “think and reason” remains to be seen. Many brain researchers question this possibility. However, what is interesting about this Chinese initiative is the ambition to move forward on this front and lead the world in artificial intelligence. China not only has aspirations to be a world power; the “Middle Kingdom” also has “very deep pockets” to financially support this ambitious quest!

It is worth contemplating where these traits might lead this emerging world power.