Source: Global Times
The article "Why Be Afraid of China's Technological Progress?" was published on April 17th on the US "Michigan Today" website. In recent years, China's technological progress has drawn global attention. China's artificial intelligence (AI) model, DeepSeek, has become a focal point for Westerners experiencing a mix of admiration and anxiety. This duality reflects deeper tensions in how the U.S. views China's technological advancements and reveals complex mindsets involving fear, competition, and reflection.
Some scholars believe that China's rapid integration of artificial intelligence and other technologies into social functions such as healthcare is seen by many Westerners as "frightening" progress. They are afraid not only because China is innovating but also because China seems to be integrating technology much faster than the West.
Associate Professor Felix from Northwestern University stated that DeepSeek's innovation represents a significant shift away from the traditional Western view of China as limited to manufacturing. This shift causes a sense of cognitive dissonance because China's innovations under restrictive conditions exceed Western expectations, challenging the long-standing narrative of Western technological hegemony.
In this context, China has become a "culture of self-assurance mirror" reflecting Western anxieties. These anxieties specifically manifest as fears about data collection, surveillance, and automation. DeepSeek's success touches these fears, making the West uneasy about what Chinese innovation means for their economy.
Ian, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan, believes that the underlying factor behind these technical concerns is the West's unwillingness to fully accept the impact of these technological advancements, especially when they come from a country considered a competitor in ideology and economics. For security concerns, the U.S. government often justifies policies using national security concepts, and often does so in a manipulative manner. This practice stems from a flawed zero-sum mindset: one country's "gain" must come at another country's "loss."
Felix stated that the rise of artificial intelligence brings new concerns about national security issues; however, the tendency to shift these concerns to China rather than directly address them weakens the West's ability to formulate effective solutions. (Author: Deborah Holdship, translated by Ding Yuqing)
Original Article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7494791953653973542/
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