FBI Director Christopher Wray said Thursday that he was “deeply concerned” about the Chinese government’s artificial intelligence program, asserting that it was “not constrained by the rule of law.”
Speaking during a panel session at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Wray said Beijing’s AI ambitions were “built on top of massive troves of intellectual property and sensitive data that they’ve stolen over the years.”
He said that left unchecked, China could use artificial intelligence advancements to further its hacking operations, intellectual property theft and repression of dissidents inside the country and beyond.
“That’s something we’re deeply concerned about, and I think everyone here should be deeply concerned about,” he said.
{ Read: Ethical AI, Possibility or Pipe Dream? }
More broadly, he said, “AI is a classic example of a technology where I have the same reaction every time. I think, ‘Wow, We can do that?’ And then I think, ‘Oh god, they can do that.’”
Such concerns have long been voiced by U.S. officials. In October 2021, for instance, U.S. counterintelligence officials issued warnings about China’s ambitions in AI as part of a renewed effort to inform business executives, academics and local and state government officials about the risks of accepting Chinese investment or expertise in key industries.
Earlier that year, an AI commission led by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt urged the U.S. to boost its AI skills to counter China, including by pursuing “AI-enabled” weapons.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment Thursday about Wray’s comments. Beijing has repeatedly accused Washington of fearmongering and attacked U.S. intelligence for its assessments of China.
Related: Bias in Artificial Intelligence: Can AI be Trusted?
Related: EU Proposes Rules for Artificial Intelligence to Limit Risks
Related: Becoming Elon Musk – the Danger of Artificial Intelligence
Related: Facial Recognition Firm Clearview AI Fined $9.4 Million by UK Regulator
More from Associated Press
- US Infiltrates Big Ransomware Gang: ‘We Hacked the Hackers’
- South Dakota’s Noem Says Cell Phone Number Hacked
- Learning to Lie: AI Tools Adept at Creating Disinformation
- Microsoft Invests Billions in ChatGPT-Maker OpenAI
- Mississippi Creates New Cyber Unit, Names 1st Director
- FBI Chief Says He’s ‘Deeply concerned’ by China’s AI Program
- Ransomware Shuts Hundreds of Yum Brands Restaurants in UK
- EU’s Breton Warns TikTok CEO: Comply With New Digital Rules
Latest News
- Critical Vulnerability Impacts Over 120 Lexmark Printers
- BIND Updates Patch High-Severity, Remotely Exploitable DoS Flaws
- Industry Reactions to Hive Ransomware Takedown: Feedback Friday
- Microsoft Urges Customers to Patch Exchange Servers
- Iranian APT Leaks Data From Saudi Arabia Government Under New Persona
- US Reiterates $10 Million Reward Offer After Disruption of Hive Ransomware
- Cyberattacks Target Websites of German Airports, Admin
- US Infiltrates Big Ransomware Gang: ‘We Hacked the Hackers’
