Global AI regulations will diverge

Significance

Despite a strong Chinese push on AI innovation, Beijing’s regulatory approach to AI sharply contrasts with the approaches of Western digital economies, notably the United States and the EU.

Impacts

• Cutting-edge AI will be in private hands across the West, but China will retain its political grip over Chinese ‘big tech’.
• Major powers would be open to negotiations eventually over managing potential existential risks from AI.
• A change in the White House would make US AI policy more private sector-friendly.