jlk – China, as one of the world’s technology giants, once again made a breakthrough by developing an AI-based platform called Supermind.
The platform is claimed to be able to track and learn from the research of hundreds of millions of scientists worldwide, offering access to 300 million scientific and technological research papers, 120 million patents, and 130 million talented scientists. These resources can be leveraged to enhance technological breakthroughs in both industrial and military sectors.
Funded by the Chinese government, Supermind has been under construction since last year at the new information and intelligence center located in the technology hub of Shenzhen.
The Shenzhen Municipal Government has invested US$280 million in this project, equivalent to the price of 560 million bowls of chicken noodles. However, unlike chicken noodles that anyone can enjoy, only individuals with Shenzhen IP addresses can access the Supermind platform.
This platform marks a significant step for China in winning the competition for cutting-edge technology creation such as AI, quantum computing, and semiconductors, which many geopolitical analysts and technology experts believe will determine the balance of international power in the future.
With Supermind, China can peek into and extract knowledge from great scientists worldwide without the hassle of reading their papers one by one. Supermind can also provide relevant recommendations and advice to improve the quality and effectiveness of research conducted by Chinese scientists.
Supermind, with intelligence equivalent to 130 million scientists, is certainly not something to be taken lightly. This platform could pose a threat to other countries concerned about China’s technological superiority.
Moreover, China has also successfully launched its first high-orbit satellite to provide internet services domestically, including in some surrounding regions, as part of the Belt and Road Initiative (B&R) or the New Silk Road.
This satellite orbits slightly higher than Elon Musk’s and the United States’ low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, meaning it can transmit and receive signals faster and more stably.
However, not everyone is impressed by Supermind. Some critics argue that the platform could raise ethical and moral issues, especially regarding the copyright and privacy of the scientists whose research is accessed by Supermind.
Additionally, there are concerns that the platform could be abused by the Chinese government for propaganda, censorship, or even espionage purposes.
It is no wonder that some countries, such as the United States, have imposed sanctions on several Chinese technology companies, such as Huawei, ZTE, and Tencent, for reasons of national security and human rights.
Supermind, a result of China’s technological advancements and innovation, certainly has great potential to bring benefits to humanity. However, like any other technology, Supermind also poses risks and challenges that must be approached wisely and responsibly.
As Albert Einstein said, “Technology without a heart is like a knife without a handle. It can hurt the hand that wields it.”