Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most transformative technologies of the 21st century, with the potential to revolutionize various domains such as health, education, transportation, and security. However, AI also poses significant challenges and risks, especially when it comes to its development and deployment by different actors with different values, interests, and goals. One of the most prominent and controversial examples of this is the AI cooperation between Microsoft and China, two of the world’s leading AI powers.

Microsoft, the American tech giant, has been actively pursuing AI partnerships and projects with China, the authoritarian regime that is often seen as a rival and a threat by the US and its allies. Microsoft’s president, Brad Smith, has met with Chinese leaders and officials several times to discuss AI collaboration, and the company has established AI research centers and joint ventures with Chinese institutions and companies. Microsoft has also provided AI tools and services to Chinese customers, including some that are involved in human rights violations and military activities.

While Microsoft claims that its AI cooperation with China is beneficial for both sides and the world, and that it follows ethical principles and legal regulations, many critics and skeptics have raised serious concerns and objections. They argue that Microsoft’s AI ties with China pose grave risks for the world in terms of security, human rights, and innovation. In this essay, I will examine these three aspects of the perils of Microsoft’s AI cooperation with China, and provide some recommendations or suggestions for how to address them.

Security Risks

One of the main risks of Microsoft’s AI cooperation with China is that it could compromise the security and interests of the US and its allies, as well as the global stability and order. This is because China could use Microsoft’s AI technology and expertise to enhance its cyber capabilities, espionage operations, and military applications, which could pose serious threats to the US and other countries.

For instance, Microsoft has provided its Azure cloud computing platform and cognitive services to Chinese customers, including some that are linked to the Chinese government and military. This could enable China to access, store, and process large amounts of data, which are essential for developing and deploying AI systems. Moreover, Microsoft has also shared its source code and intellectual property with Chinese authorities, which could expose its products and services to hacking, theft, and manipulation.

Furthermore, Microsoft has also collaborated with Chinese institutions and companies on AI research and development, which could boost China’s AI innovation and competitiveness. For example, Microsoft has established the Microsoft Research Asia (MSRA) in Beijing, which is one of the world’s leading AI research centers, and has produced many influential AI papers and patents. Microsoft has also formed joint ventures with Chinese entities, such as the Microsoft Intelligent Network of Things (MINIT) with China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), a state-owned military conglomerate. These joint ventures could facilitate the transfer of AI technology and know-how from Microsoft to China, which could enhance China’s AI capabilities and ambitions.

These examples show that Microsoft’s AI cooperation with China could pose significant security risks, as it could enable China to gain an edge over the US and its allies in the AI domain, and to use AI for malicious purposes. As a result, Microsoft’s AI ties with China could undermine the US’s national security and global leadership, and increase the likelihood of conflict and confrontation.

Human Rights Risks

Another risk of Microsoft’s AI cooperation with China is that it could violate or facilitate the violation of human rights and democratic values, both within and outside China. This is because China could use Microsoft’s AI technology and expertise to enable or support its censorship, surveillance, and repression of its own people, as well as its interference and influence in other countries.

For example, Microsoft has provided its Bing search engine and Skype communication service to Chinese users, but has agreed to comply with China’s strict internet regulations and censorship policies. This means that Microsoft has censored or blocked certain information and content that are deemed sensitive or harmful by the Chinese government, such as those related to human rights, democracy, and Tibet. This could limit the access and freedom of information and expression of Chinese users, and prevent them from learning about alternative views and perspectives.

Moreover, Microsoft has also supplied its AI tools and services to Chinese customers, including some that are involved in human rights violations and abuses. For instance, Microsoft has sold its facial recognition technology to SenseTime, a Chinese company that has been blacklisted by the US for its role in the mass surveillance and detention of Uyghurs, a Muslim minority group in China. Microsoft has also partnered with ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, a popular social media app that has been accused of censoring and manipulating content and data to serve China’s interests and agenda.

These examples show that Microsoft’s AI cooperation with China could pose serious human rights risks, as it could enable or assist China to infringe or oppress the rights and freedoms of its own people, as well as those of other countries. As a result, Microsoft’s AI ties with China could undermine the universal values and principles of human dignity and democracy, and contribute to the spread of authoritarianism and totalitarianism.

Innovation Risks

A third risk of Microsoft’s AI cooperation with China is that it could hamper or hinder the innovation and progress of AI, both for Microsoft and the world. This is because China could use Microsoft’s AI technology and expertise to compete or copy Microsoft’s products and services, and to challenge or surpass Microsoft’s leadership and influence in the AI field.

For example, Microsoft has invested and supported many Chinese AI startups and companies, such as Megvii, iFlytek, and Xiaomi, which have become some of the world’s leading AI players. However, these Chinese companies could also become Microsoft’s rivals or competitors, as they could leverage Microsoft’s AI resources and assistance to develop and offer similar or superior products and services, and to capture or expand their market share and customer base.

Furthermore, Microsoft has also shared and exchanged its AI research and development with Chinese institutions and researchers, such as the MSRA and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), which have become some of the world’s leading AI contributors and innovators. However, these Chinese institutions and researchers could also challenge or surpass Microsoft’s AI achievements and reputation, as they could use Microsoft’s AI knowledge and insights to produce and publish more and better AI papers and patents, and to set or shape the AI standards and norms.

These examples show that Microsoft’s AI cooperation with China could pose significant innovation risks, as it could enable or encourage China to compete or copy Microsoft’s AI offerings and outputs, and to challenge or surpass Microsoft’s AI leadership and influence. As a result, Microsoft’s AI ties with China could undermine Microsoft’s competitive edge and intellectual property, and reduce the quality and diversity of AI innovation and progress.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Microsoft’s AI cooperation with China poses serious risks for the world in terms of security, human rights, and innovation. Microsoft’s AI ties with China could compromise the security and interests of the US and its allies, and the global stability and order. Microsoft’s AI ties with China could violate or facilitate the violation of human rights and democratic values, both within and outside China. Microsoft’s AI ties with China could hamper or hinder the innovation and progress of AI, both for Microsoft and the world.

Therefore, it is imperative that Microsoft and other stakeholders take measures to address these risks and challenges, and to ensure that AI is developed and deployed in a responsible and ethical manner. Some possible measures include:

• Increasing the oversight, transparency, and accountability of Microsoft’s AI cooperation with China, such as by establishing clear and consistent guidelines, standards, and regulations, and by conducting regular and independent audits and reviews.
• Reducing the dependence, exposure, and vulnerability of Microsoft’s AI products and services to China, such as by diversifying its AI partners and markets, and by enhancing its AI security and protection.
• Promoting the collaboration, dialogue, and cooperation of Microsoft’s AI research and development with other countries and regions, such as by supporting and participating in multilateral and international AI initiatives and platforms, and by fostering and facilitating the exchange and sharing of AI knowledge and best practices.

By implementing these measures, Microsoft and other stakeholders could mitigate the perils of Microsoft’s AI cooperation with China, and maximize the benefits and opportunities of AI for the world.