CHINA - From Chatbots to Intelligent Toys
China is embracing AI in its bid to become a tech superpower by 2030.
DeepSeek, the breakthrough Chinese chatbot that caught the world’s attention in January, was just the first hint of that ambition.
Money is pouring into AI businesses seeking more capital, fueling domestic competition. There are more than 4,500 firms developing and selling AI, schools in the capital Beijing are introducing AI courses for primary and secondary students later this year, and universities have increased the number of places available for students studying AI.
Beijing plans to invest 10tn Chinese yuan ($1.4tn; £1tn) in the next 15 years as it competes with Washington to gain the edge in advanced tech.
“Other countries have AI education robots as well, but when it comes to competitiveness and smart hardware, China is doing better,” says Abbott Lyu, vice-president of Shanghai-based Whalesbot, a firm that makes AI toys.
But as the world learns of China’s AI potential, there are also concerns about what AI is allowing the Chinese government to learn about its users.
But Chinese firms, including ByteDance, which owns TikTok, says the law allows for the protection of private companies and personal data.
Chinese companies are aware of these sensitivities and Tommy Tang was quick to tell the BBC that “privacy was a red line” for his company. Beijing also realizes that this will be a challenge in its bid to be a global leader in AI.
-www.bbc.com, 10 March 2025
Arno's Commentary
When reading the entire article published by the BBC, it becomes self-evident that artificial intelligence (AI) is destined to rule. China, apparently, has the intellectual capacity to achieve a supreme global position.
It no longer matters whether it’s capitalism, socialism, communism, dictatorship, monarchy, etc.; information is being dispensed to the global population, where AI will ultimately create a manmade god.
Our Bible makes it clear that in the final days, the Antichrist will declare himself to be god: “showing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4b).
Arno Froese is the executive director of Midnight Call Ministries and editor-in-chief of the acclaimed prophetic magazines Midnight Call and News From Israel. He has authored a number of well-received books, and has sponsored many prophecy conferences in the U.S., Canada, and Israel. His extensive travels have contributed to his keen insight into Bible prophecy, as he sees it from an international perspective.
