‘AI is the key to global power status’: Inside China's race to militarise artificial intelligence

Chinese state officials and military researchers are increasingly prioritizing the development of artificial intelligence, framing the technology as a critical factor in maintaining long-term national security and global influence. While Beijing advocates for international governance frameworks and cooperation, the state’s strategic integration of AI into military systems signals an intensifying technological competition with the West. This push aims to secure domestic dominance in emerging capabilities, potentially reshaping future geopolitical power balances as nations race to deploy autonomous defense tools.