CHINA LAUNCHES ITS OWN CHATBOT CHAT XI PT IN COMPETITION WITH CHATGPT

Authored BY - Ms Tanima Bhatia

Editor’s Note:

AI Based on Xi Jinping’s Ideology: China has developed a chatbot trained on President Xi Jinping’s political philosophy, “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,” ensuring AI content aligns with state ideology.
Regulated Development and Deployment: The chatbot, created by the China Cyberspace Research Institute, processes data locally for security. It is currently in testing, with strict controls on content about sensitive topics, mirroring practices by Chinese tech giants like Baidu and Alibaba.
Educational and Economic Integration: The initiative is part of broader efforts to integrate AI into various sectors, promote technological advancement, and reinforce ideological education. Schoolchildren study Xi’s philosophy, and a public database with high-quality data aids AI model training, supporting both educational and economic goals.

In an effort to keep pace with global advancements in artificial intelligence, China has developed a new chatbot based on the political philosophy of President Xi Jinping. This large language model (LLM) has been launched by the China Cyberspace Research Institute, under the auspices of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the nation’s top internet regulator. Unlike the widely popular ChatGPT, which is inaccessible in China, this new AI tool aims to provide a homegrown solution aligned with Chinese values and regulations.

The Foundation of Xi Jinping Thought

The chatbot is intricately trained on “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,” a philosophy embedded in China’s constitution since 2018. This political ideology influences various aspects of Chinese life, including politics, economics, and culture. The integration of Xi’s philosophy into AI signifies China’s commitment to maintaining ideological control while embracing technological advancement.

Features and Capabilities

According to a post on WeChat, the LLM is capable of addressing a wide range of user needs. It can answer questions, generate reports, summarize information, and translate between Chinese and English. The system’s development emphasizes security, with all data processed locally on servers within the China Cyberspace Research Institute.

Controlled Development and Deployment

Currently, the chatbot is undergoing testing with a select group of users. Chinese tech giants like Baidu and Alibaba have also developed their own generative AI models, which strictly control content related to sensitive topics, especially those concerning Xi Jinping. These models prompt users to restart conversations when sensitive issues arise.

Ensuring Compliance and Quality

The CAC has introduced regulations ensuring that generative AI models “embody core socialist values” and avoid content that could subvert state power. To assist developers, the Cyber Security Association of China released a public database with 100 million entries of “high-quality and trustworthy data” for training AI models. This data set includes extensive government regulations, policy documents, and state media reports, with numerous mentions of Xi Jinping.

Educational and Economic Integration

China’s efforts extend beyond AI development. Schoolchildren as young as 10 are required to study Xi’s political philosophy, and party members must use the Study Xi Strong Nation app to enhance their knowledge. Premier Li Qiang has also initiated a program to integrate AI into traditional sectors to boost technological advancement and economic growth.

Conclusion

China’s creation of an AI chatbot based on Xi Jinping’s thought represents a significant step in its AI strategy. By aligning technological innovation with political ideology, China aims to control the narrative while advancing its AI capabilities. This initiative underscores the balance Chinese officials seek between regulatory oversight and fostering technological growth, ensuring that AI development supports the country’s broader political and economic goals.

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