41. Australia-China artificial intelligence research collaboration - with Michael Zhou

The ACRI Podcast

An increasingly scrutinised aspect of Australia's relationship with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is collaboration – particularly between universities – in scientific research, especially into what are deemed sensitive fields such as artificial intelligence (AI). Artificial intelligence (AI) has in in recent years received widespread attention for its potential to transform vast swathes of the global economy and global society. While there might be many opportunities presented by the new frontiers of AI and the swift advances in the design and harnessing of its technologies, there is also great potential for such technologies to be abused and applied to undesirable ends. The PRC’s position among global leaders in the development and uptake of such technologies means that research collaboration fittingly receives critical examination. How can Australia respond to the risks and benefits of collaborating with the PRC in AI research? The Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS:ACRI) recently released a research paper examining this issue. One of the paper’s co-authors, Michael Zhou, a researcher at UTS:ACRI, joins Elena Collinson, senior researcher at UTS:ACRI, to discuss PRC advancements in AI, trends in Australia’s collaboration with the PRC in artificial intelligence research and the benefits and risks attached to it.