From PBS Frontline (USA). AI, or Artificial Intelligence, will be one of the defining developments of the 21st century. The ability of machines to ‘think’ at a speed and depth far beyond the capacity of any human is unleashing incredible possibilities. China is emerging as an AI superpower, staking its reputation on catching up then overtaking America for AI supremacy within the decade. Critics say the Chinese Communist Party is using AI as an instrument of authoritarian control. Outside of China, even long-term backers of the tech industry say the rise of the global tech giants is a threat to us all.