China’s AI drive seen widening wealth gap, testing ‘common prosperity’ push

AI Summary

China's push for artificial intelligence is seen as a means to foster economic growth and modernization. However, concerns arise that the benefits of AI will disproportionately favor larger urban areas, exacerbating regional wealth gaps.

China wants artificial intelligence to become a new engine of growth, powering everything from factory upgrades to scientific discovery. But outside the country’s technology hubs, the economic benefits promised by AI may be harder to realise. Recent studies suggest that AI will widen regional divides. Big cities with deep pools of talent, capital and innovative firms are best placed to adopt the technology, while smaller cities and rural areas may struggle to keep up. According to analysts, the...