The Rise of the AI Leviathan: China’s Ominous Pursuit to Replicate the Human Brain

BluShark Media
3 min readSep 20, 2023

In a world teetering on the precipice of the unknown, an ominous tale unfolds in the heart of China. A tale that conjures images of a dystopian future where artificial intelligence (AI) wields unparalleled power. While the West grapples with ethical dilemmas, China embarks on a chilling quest that could rewrite humanity's future. This is the story of China’s relentless journey to replicate the human brain, a journey fraught with eerie undertones and existential implications.

The narrative begins with the ominous-sounding “China Brain Project” of 2016, a foreboding declaration of intent. With its sights set on global AI dominance by 2030, China initiated a journey into the unknown. A convergence of AI and brain science, this endeavor aims not just to mimic human cognitive abilities but to wield them as tools of control.

At the heart of this eerie tale lies the concept of a “city brain.” These artificial intelligences have infiltrated smart cities across China, lurking in the shadows, silently watching and processing vast amounts of data. Their digital gaze encompasses traffic patterns, human faces, voices, and even the whispers of societal unrest. These AI city brains, eerily resembling the human eye, promise greater efficiency, lower energy consumption, and, chillingly, the promise of improved governance.

Getty Images / Wang Zhao

The eerie parallels between China’s AI quest and the nuclear arms race of the Cold War era are impossible to ignore. With an urgency that evokes those tumultuous times, China races against the United States for the ultimate prize — artificial general intelligence (AGI). In the pursuit of this technological doomsday device, China invests heavily, making AGI research a matter of national urgency.

China’s commitment to this unsettling quest is evident in the vast sums of state funding allocated to dedicated AGI research institutes. China's resolve is unwavering unlike the West, which approaches AGI with caution. With the highest levels of government backing this effort, AGI research has become the dark heart of China’s scientific endeavors.

As China hurtles down this ominous path, the West grapples with its own demons. Ethical quandaries and safety concerns plague the development of AGI in Western societies. In stark contrast, China’s primary focus is on political risks, ensnaring AI within a web of laws that ensure adherence to “socialist core values.”

Courtesy of the Wall Street Journal Youtube Channel

China’s approach to AGI takes a chilling turn as it delves into brain science as the key to replicating human intelligence. The goal is to reverse engineer the human brain, the epitome of intelligence in our world. While the West is captivated by AI models like ChatGPT, China’s focus on the eerie intricacies of the human mind sets it apart.

The pursuit of AGI is not just a race; it’s a global nightmare in the making. As scientists draw closer to the creation of superintelligent AGIs, the specter of existential threats looms ominously. The prospect of these AGIs possessing the ability to self-replicate poses an unprecedented danger to humanity. International cooperation in regulating AGI development is imperative, but the world watches in dread, wondering if global consensus can be reached in time.

In the heart of China, an ominous tale is being written — a tale that resonates with echoes of science fiction horrors. As China’s relentless quest to replicate the human brain unfolds, the world watches with a mix of fascination and fear. This story is more than a technological marvel; it is a chilling narrative where the line between creator and creation blurs, and the rise of the AI leviathan becomes a looming reality. Humanity stands at the crossroads of its own creation, grappling with the unsettling notion that we may be on the brink of an AI-induced apocalypse.

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BluShark Media

BluShark Media is your trusted guide for web3, blockchain, NFTs, gaming & AI in the transformative digital world.