Algorithmic Statecraft: China's AI-Driven Model of Governance and Its Global Impact

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) has ushered in a new era of governance, with China leading the charge in algorithmic statecraft. China's approach to AI-driven governance blends extensive surveillance, big data analysis, and predictive technologies to bolster state control and ensure social stability. While numerous studies delve into digital authoritarianism or China's AI efforts individually, there’s a noticeable lack of research on how these elements intersect within the larger framework of global governance. This paper aims to fill that void by examining how China's domestic model is shaping international digital norms. By utilizing secondary data from academic research, policy documents, and global governance metrics, the study investigates how China is embedding AI across various sectors. It reveals that China's export of surveillance technologies and its advocacy for "cyber-sovereignty" principles pose challenges to liberal democratic ideals and could lead to a fragmentation of global governance systems. The research posits that China's algorithmic statecraft serves as both a tool for domestic control and a strategy for geopolitical influence. The paper wraps up by calling for more comparative research and international regulations to ensure that AI aligns with democratic values.