China's Privacy Challenges with AI and Mobile Apps

China's rapidly growing tech economy is now facing some serious questions about the trade-offs involved in the widespread adoption of emerging technologies such as AI. In fact, China's Ministry of Science and Technology is now leading the debate over the relative benefits and drawbacks of artificial intelligence, with at least some recognition that certain AI applications – such as facial recognition technology – might have some very negative implications for personal privacy. At the same time, other regulatory authorities within China – including the Cyberspace Administration of China – are now taking a closer look at how popular consumer technologies (including mobile apps) might also be going too far when it comes to collecting, using and sharing user data. For now, the most high-profile emerging technology within China is artificial intelligence (AI), which is being embraced much more quickly and widely than in the West. For example, Chinese law enforcement authorities are using AI-powered facial recognition technologies to crack down on crime and terrorism, while urban planners and other policymakers are embracing AI as a way to come up with more efficient healthcare, education and transportation solutions.