CHINA has plans to take the lead from the US in the field of artificial intelligence by 2030 (micro-chips, artificial intelligence, electric cars, and solar panels).

It has already begun to use surveillance cameras and special goggles to identify criminals and bank defaulters. China has installed 200 million invisible surveillance cameras (four times the number in the US) at railway stations and airports besides at intersections to oversee unsuspecting car travellers.

To acquire an advantage in cutting edge technologies, China is exploring a number of avenues. For instance, the US company, Advanced Micro Devices, avoided scrutiny by US trade authority by licensing its exclusive microchip designs to China, rather than selling them.

Lawlessness, crime and terrorism are our big problems. Perhaps China can help us in this respect.

Sa’ad Malik

Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2018