Data Ethics in the Race of Artificial Intelligence Technology Development between China and the US

Abstract

In the dawn of the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), there are several concerns on human welfare through individual agency and cultural spheres. AI technology continuously evolves, hence criticality on the checks and balances of ethical AI adoption should be taken into action. In imagining a normalized AI world, one cannot help but to consider its positive and negative implications as it impacts human beings and life. This comparative analysis of AI cases in China and the U.S. looked at the AI genesis and waves and their impact on the data ethics and agency of individuals. This paper examined the AI landscape in China and in the U.S. who are the leaders in AI technology. AI as an evolving integral communication system in the global community was evaluated through Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation Theory (1983). Putting China and the U.S. side by side allowed for a critical analysis on the emerging challenges of AI adoption, particularly regarding data privacy, unwarranted surveillance, and the proliferation of synthetic media. Dissemination of AI adoption should be regarded in terms of innovation, communication channels, duration, and social systems.