Does Beijing need AI talent in ‘public opinion war’ over South China Sea?

A leading expert on the South China Sea dispute has urged Chinese think tanks to recruit AI talent for the "public opinion war" being waged over the contested waters. Wu Shicun, the founding president of China's National Institute for South China Sea Studies, spoke at a forum in Shenzhen, warning that physical maritime power alone would not suffice against losing the narrative battle.

He emphasized that cognitive and public opinion warfare are becoming primary battlegrounds. To counter this, Wu advocated for the integration of AI and algorithm engineers into think tank research, urging a shift from traditional scholarship to technical and engineering capabilities. This call for greater AI involvement came amid heightened tensions between China and the United States over AI technology.

Both countries are navigating a complex landscape, with concerns about data privacy and national security surfacing alongside the geopolitical competition. At the Shenzhen forum, discussions also focused on the need for rigorous researcher training and the responsible use of AI to avoid crossing sensitive national boundaries. Meanwhile, the forum underscored the challenge of Western dominance in AI training, which threatens China's "knowledge sovereignty."

As Beijing continues to expand its think tank sector as a soft-power tool, the debate over integrating AI into these institutions highlights the intersection of technological advancement and geopolitical strategy.