The third workshop of the GAIN China series explored how the Chinese public understands artificial intelligence; how the media, industry, and government influence the Chinese publics’ perceptions of AI; and what the West can learn from approaches to understanding and discussing AI in China.

The third Chinese Global AI Narratives workshop, featuring a number of Chinese science fiction scholars and authors, explored how AI is portrayed in Chinese science fiction literature.

Differences in Eastern versus Western beliefs in celestial beings as integral to informing our modern treatment of AI… In western thought supernatural beings are often dark, scary, or evil (e.g. ghost, spirits, daemons, monsters). They are something to be defeated. By contrast, in Chinese mythology supernatural beings are often positive forces with whom humans can interact and communicate. If treated well by humans, the supernatural being might bestow blessings on a human.